Christmas Eve with The Holmes' Family

Clay and I were fortunate enough to both be off Christmas Eve. This year we all gathered at Clay's parents house. Elizabeth brought the J Crew and Anthony made it as well. Aunt Anne and Richard and Clay's Papa were there for good food and fun. The boys were such big helpers passing out gifts. Taylor even managed to surprise Freida with a boat for the pond this year. I think everyone truly loved everything they got! Fritz even got a couple things. Even though tearing up paper is frowned upon at our house Christmas Eve is a day with few rules, so Fritz got to try and tear the paper off his gift!

Family.

On my last trip to Florida Dad had all of his children together for the first time in a long time. Here are some pictures of all of us from left (youngest) to right (oldest): Toya, Me, Shalina, Rickey, and Mickey.

Mom was also down while I was there so we got a picture of all her children as well: Lina, Me and Toya!

Christmas Tree Shopping...

So Clay and I wanted to take the boys with us shopping for our Christmas tree this year. We wanted to go to the tree farm but found it to be closed when we arrived so we went to Lowes instead. The boys had so much fun going from tree to tree trying to find one for "Uncle Kay and Aunt Tina." Once we had one picked out the boys wanted to come to the farm and help decorate. Joseph wanted to help with the lights. This was just what I needed to keep my thoughts away from my family at home. The boys are growing so much and are so much fun to be around.

Florida Trip

So I was looking at my work schedule when I realized that I had several days off in a row, so I found a cheap plane ticket and headed to Florida for Natoya's 22nd birthday. We had a good time out with friends and family. Then we enjoyed lunch the next afternoon with Dad at Cowboys. The hat they placed on Toya was so worth it! This holiday season I am thankful for family and a job that allows me so much time off to sneek down and spent time with them!

Tristen wanted to get in the Christmas spirit as well so we decorated his FLORIDA GATORS tree for his bedroom. Let's hope Pop Pop does not see it...But no really it was cute and we had a blast.

Pumpkin Carving Party

Last year we started having a pumpkin carving party...This year was a success. Thank you for all the friends and family that came over and spend time with us!

Florida Trip

So Florida was great. Got to spend time with Jenna and Julie while I was home which was great! Tristen unfortunately had to have surgery, scheduled, but it did great! Even managed a trip to Ormond Beach to spend a day with Mom! We went for a late stroll on the beach which was probably the most relaxing day I had while I was there. I really miss everyone so much and enjoy the time, even though it is never long enough, with my family!

PS: I start in the ICU on Wednesday! And that is a picture of the beads Shalina and Joe got for me! Very nursie!

The Pink Camo Bow!!!

So Clay and I went to Bass Pro Shop Tuesday...and I got a Parker Sidekick XP bow! It is pink and camo...I was so exicted...I have only been wanting one for couple years...so here are some pictures of my first day practicing! I will admit that I shot about 60 arrows before I got all 4 on the box...but I will get better, I hope!

And FINALLY Watermelon!!

It was only three tries in the making...so yes I am very proud, even if Clay did the planting!

So we decided to pick watermelon...finally! I know I have my eyes closed but it was early in the morning and no one said Clay was the best photographer...then the boys can for a surprise visit this morning so we picked another watermelon and cut it on the porch and it was pretty darn good. There will be more to come before winter I am sure!

Busy, Busy

So it has been a busy last couple of weeks. Spent the night at the lake house several times, once with Elizabeth and her crew and then Toya came from Okeechobee to spend 4 every short days with me. We had a great time just being together, nothing overly exciting just hanging out. I really miss my family and hated to see her go. These pictures of us our from our day at Fall Creek Falls. My favorite place in Tennessee, thus far!

On a great note: I applied for a transfer to the ICU at the facility where I currently work...I got the call Wednesday that they accepted my request. SO I will be finishing up the next month and a half on Telemetry but then I am ICU bound. I have prayed about this and feel this is the right choice for me at this time. But I will need continued prayer as this will be a learning experience and challenging for me.

Watermelon, Watermelon

So this is the third spring that we have planted watermelon...and this is the first year that we have WATERMELON!!! Have not gotten to eat any as of this time but...I am taking pictures of them as they grow! Here are some pictures of our watermelon in various stages of growth!

So we went to FL at the end of July for Mini Season- 2 days season for lobster! We all had a great time and I met Jenna and Julie! I can't wait to go to Okeechobee and see them again. We didn't get near as many lobsters as the boys would have hoped but we did have a wonderful time. The guys also went out the last day we were all there and caught a bunch of dolphin (Maui-Maui), which Clay and Justin fried that night and it was fabulous!