New Car

After the insurance company finally totaled the Explorer and I had driven a rental for over a month, we went car shopping. I wanted a Honda CR-V. A friend in college had one and I was super impressed by how much room there was in the back seat and the cargo area and the gas mileage wasn't bad either. Did I mention that it's a Honda? You can't go wrong with a Honda.

We had researched on the Internet the different places that had used CR-Vs for sale so we headed to South Carolina. First stop was Hendrick Honda in Easley. They had a used white one that was great, but the price wasn't so great. So we kept going. We ended up at the Motor Mile in Greenville; more specifically Breakaway Honda. They had some nice used ones, too. However, if we were going to the spend that much money, why not buy a new one for very close to the same price? So we did. I am the very proud owner of a light blue, 2008, Honda CR-V!

Christmas

Our first Christmas together as a married couple. Joey bought me a new camera and couldn't wait to give it to me, so I got it a few days early. I snapped a few quick pics.

Well, I'm not very good at keeping secrets either, so I gave Joey his main present, Guitar Hero III. He's a happy guy.

Christmas was spent with Joey's family at our house.

Loren and Rachel

After everyone left, Joey and I exchanged the rest of our gifts to each other since we knew Christmas Day would be very busy.

I love Cranium! We had already played all the cards in the box, so he got me a whole new set of cards!

What can I say....he's a little boy at heart.

For as long as I can remember we have always eaten Christmas Breakfast at my Ma Rea's house. She lives within walking distance from my parents house so it's real easy to hop over bright and early. We usually eat then take naps. :)

We all have homemade stockings that my mom made. Aren't they great?

Melissa, Abby, and Steve

Pepper's such a good boy.

The McGuire's then get together for a fun game of Dirty Santa (the rules can be found here minus the alcohol and we split up by gender since there are so many of us and have two games). It's always a lot of fun and you don't feel broke by buying everyone a present and you usually end up with something pretty nice. Rule of thumb - purchase something you will like and you may just end up with it!

Steve, Gramma, and Grandad

Owen and Lindsay

Another side note about the game - only married people participate while everyone still buys for the 'young uns'.

Liz, Whit, and Scott

Thanksgiving and Jeremiah's Birthday

We made the trek to Florida for Thanksgiving. For some reason, I have no pictures of the time we spent down there. However, on the way home, a big blue diesal truck pulled out in front of me on a small road in South Carolina. Joey was sitting in the back watching a movie. Our Explorer was totaled and we had to wait on my dad to drive 2 hours to come get us. Yes, we only had it two months, but since we had Gap Insurance, we no longer had a significant amount of debt. So really it was a blessing in disguise since no one was hurt.

Jeremiah's birthday is November 28th, so it always falls close to Thanksgiving. Matt and Becca had every one over for the party. 

Jeremiah and Mark

Josiah

Matt's Aunt Jean with Josiah and one of grandkids.

Matt's mom, June, with Rachel

Opening presents!

"Fix it Daddy"

Rachel was about 4 months old

Aunt Kim tries to wrangle Josiah and Jeremiah.

Mama G's

David, Joel, Callie, and Holly (pregnant)

We all loaded up in the Explorer and headed to Clayton for some good food and fun with friends.

Outer Banks

In October, my mom and I had off a couple days of school, so she decided to rent a beach house for us all for a whole week. The house was fabulous and since it was not peak season, the price wasn't too bad either. The kitchen, dining, and living area were on the top floor as well as the master bedroom. We could see the ocean from the top decks, but we were not ocean front. The middle floor had 4 bedrooms and three bathrooms with an extra sitting area. The bottom floor had another bedroom and bathroom as well as a game room with a pool table. Oh yeah, the house also had a pool! Thanks Mom and Dad for a GREAT trip!

I think she made these cookies about three times while we were there. Chocolate oatmeal peanut butter no bake cookies are the best and so is my mom.

Guitar Hero was the game that week. 

Joey and Jason battle.

Steve, in his PJs, takes on Jason.

Yes, we took Pepper.

Abby helped keep Pepper in line.

 We thought Pepper would really like the water. We were wrong. Since it was off season, pets were allowed on the beach. We only took him out there a couple of times because he just didn't like it. Oh well.

Pregnant Rachel and Jason

We visited the Jockey's Ridge State Park. Basically, all it is a big sand dune. It was really hot, but a lot of fun. There were even some brave souls hang gliding.

Going up. 

I really do have the best parents in the world - even if my dad always wears jeans . :)

Yeah, we're that cute.

Coming down.