A Five-Year-Old

The holidays took us by storm and while soaking it in, I don't think I really posted direct enough about the fact that Tyndell is now....FIVE!  Wow.  It has flown by.  So here are a few extra Tyndell moments from her birthday in December and the surrounding weeks.  She is really becoming such a little lady that we are so proud of and amazed by each day - in fact, I think something has really clicked the last couple of weeks indicating some additional materity.  I can't describe it, but it's like she really "gets" things more and we don't have to speak as direct anymore.  She understands jokes and comparisons and is helpful and becoming more thoughtful outside her world.  So - here's to Tyndell - we love you sweet girl!  And just so I have a snapshot of her at this milestone birthday, I thought I would add some quick factoids about her:
1. She is not a morning person and tries to find ways to stay up every.single.night
2. Tyndell has the most incredible imagination, always creating stories, describing scenarios of what will or should happen or reliving movies
3. She tells us she loves peppers and mushrooms but never eats them
4. She is diligent beyond all else, never giving up until she can find a way to get things the way she wants or has imagined - this is horribly annoying now but will serve her well one day
5. Tyndell negotiates....everything.  We try not to negotiate with terrorists (I'm kidding of course) but she is very cunning
6. She is a thoughtful big sister, sharing toys and slowly trying to understand that whatever she does, Silas wants to do too
7. I think under all the spunk and personality, there is an introvert because I don't know anyone that loves to stay in pajamas on weekends (preferably, footie ones) and watch movies and snack all day as much as this one
8. She loves cats
9. Tyndell loves the color purple (but won't admit it being her favorite...she how she always keeps you guessing...cunning, I tell ya)
10. She has a sweet soul, praying for friends and family on her own, giving kisses and hugs, and telling you at random times she loves you the most. 

Special thanks to my bro, Brandon for the first two photos - incredible moments captured.  Also - the second two are from a recent shopping trip (for gold shoes which I am still not sure were a good idea especially since falling in them multiple times).  The last one is a selfie we did while watching the Bear Orchestra on Christmas Eve....she is always making silly faces. 

Ashlee and Marion's Charleston Wedding

The day after Christmas we packed up and headed out to the coast, first - to drop off Tyndell and Silas with Paul and Anthe near Holden Beach, NC and then down to Charleston come Friday morning to start the Ashlee and Marion Celebration.  I have to first and formost thank PT and AT for helping with the kids and keeping  them all weekend so that I could be there for Ashlee and attend all the bridesmaids events and relax a little bit - couldn't have done it without them (and I think they had a good time too) and my parents were able to attend as well!  Once we arrived in Charleston, Jeff dropped me off downtown for the Bridesmaids' luncheon at Poogan's Porch, where it all began.  Luckily, our good friend Cecily and Seth were in town so while the girls celebrated and got mushy, the boys were able to check out the nooks and crannies of the downtown bar scene.  All the other in town bridesmaids - Heather, Alicia, Leanne, Elizabeth, Genevieve, and Anne - are a blast so that paired with seeing Ashlee and Marion's best girls in the family made for a wonderful kick-off.  After salad, some teary words, and ahem...a few cocktails...it was time to get changed and get ready for the rehearsal.  Ashlee and Marion chose Ashlee's church - Mount Pleasant Presby - for the ceremony and it was a gorgeous little church that was a lovely step back in time.  After running through the line-up and trying to keep track of all the groomsmen and ushers involved (how many were there, Marion?! I lost count), we headed to Alhambra Hall on the water for cocktails and a lowcountry boil.  It was a fun informal affair with some Sumter blues music in the background and the sunset over the water was awesome. Met a ton of nice folks from Ashlee and Marion's families and networks.  Jeff and I probably headed in early but we knew the following day of the wedding would be busy.  In the morning, it was nice to sleep in a bit, and then I headed to Kings Street to get a pedicure (which also turned into an unintended manicure as well....I was trapped under infrared lights!) and I was late getting to Ashlee's house for a bridesmaids beauty day.  It turned out ok since an extra stylist showed up and we all proceed to be sprayed and glued with all kinds of things pretty to make sure our make-up and hair were worthly of Ashlee, who is absolutely flawless of course!  Once we finally got ready and arrived at the church, some pictures were taken while the light was available, and before we knew it, it was 6:30pm and time to make things official!  The sanctuary was magical during the ceremony with the Christmas decorations and the white and green flowers (sprinkled with cotton from Mama B's farm) everywhere setting the tone of a real worship service.  I always like the watch the groom's face when the bride walks out, and Marion's face was no exception and I do believe I saw some tears - so sweet.  The service was beautiful, and then we had more pictures with family before heading off to the Carolina Yacht Club for the reception.  Unfortunately Jeff didn't feel so well and didn't stay, but it was fun being laid back (as opposed to dancing and tired which is what Jeff and I would normally have done) and catching up talking with folks.  After Mr. and Mrs. Moses left in their fancy car after being sparkled by guests, Cecily and Seth gave me a ride back to the hotel where I was shocked that my feet were still alive in the glitter shoes Tyndell picked out for me.  Oh I slept good that night!  After sleeping in a bit and some breakfast, Jeff and I headed to Myrtle Beach to meet PT and AT with the kids and headed home.  It was a good weekend of celebration.  Congratulations Ashlee and Marion!  Thanks for letting us be part of your beautiful day!  We'll be praying for a joyeous marriage for you!  xoxo

Christmas 2013

Ok - this one is so funny, right?  Tyndell: "Silas, look what I got you!"  Silas: "Waaaaaaa!"



Wow!  Christmas came and went so fast.  I don't know about you but I tried really hard to savor every moment - we had so much to be thankful for this year and this post has a hodgepodge of seasonal photos from decorating the house (which we never really did before on the exterior, but given the neighborly competition, why not?  Jeff did an awesome job!), putting Tyndell's gingerbread castle from the Tullys together, trying to get a good group kid picture from when the B&B and Declan were visiting, the kids Breakfast with Santa event at school, visiting the Leonard Bearstein singing bears at Founder's Hall, and Christmas Morning.  Please note that the last picture is one that Tyndell took herself - she has taken a great interest in photos lately.  So funny to see her perspective. 

Christmas Day was a relaxing one and maybe we are too laid back, but when the kids woke up, they saw that Santa found our house (Tyndell was worried with the move and all) and they had gotten some fun gifts (Tyndell wanted an Arial Mermaid costume and an Arial watch and We all think Silas wanted some musical instruments since he loves music so much) that they had asked for.  While I made the annual biscuits and meat festival breakfast, the kids enjoyed their Santa gifts and they opened their stockings.  Mom T, Dad T, and Brandon came over for breakfast and afterwards we opened gifts....probably in slow motion compared with most b/c by the time we were done, it was already noon!  Anyway - it was nice to take in every moment and watch some Christmas Story on repeat along the way.  We relaxed all day and tried to clean up the morning mess and redistribute all the toys before going over to our neighborly neighbors for Christmas dinner.  

Some favorite moments from this season:
1.  Seeing my brother get so excited about the gifts he picked out for the kids
2. Hearing the sounds of everyone sharing their morning via Facetime with our family in Delaware - the Tullys and Mom A - while I was making breakfast
3.  Not feeling guilty about taking the kids to school on Christmas Eve and then spending the morning with Jeff having a lazy breakfast and going to a movie (totally recommend "Saving Mr. Banks" - it's incredible!)
4. Seeing the church sanctuary light up with candles during the Christmas Eve service - that with Silent Night always gives me chills
5. Watching my Mom bounce Silas on our new Joggling Board on our porch!  We are so Lowcountry!  Thanks Mom and Dad - what an awesome surprise!
6.Watching everyone try to play BIG piano
7. Sitting on the couch in our new house all decorated with the fire going (should have done more of this!)
8.Tyndell remembering some of our traditions and getting excited about them - Sienna the Elf came back and we did our Advent Calendar/Nativity Scene/Book Unwrapping each night to countdown the month
9.Creating cards and finding all my addresses again (still not done with this one - let's call them New Years cards, shall we? You should all get them soon though - I promise I'll work on them!) and being reminded of all the wonderful peeps out there