Happy New Year!

In an attempt to get caught up on our adventures we call life, I am posting about New Years just a little late. Better late than never, right?

We had lots of fun during the last few days of  2012 and rang in the 2013 with tradition. The day after celebrating Christmas with my family, we went out to our 'farm' in Alabama. 

Before we said goodbye to last year, Big Daddy wanted to introduce us to a special place he visited once as a kid. You see, a few years ago Big Daddy purchased the land that once belonged to his paternal grandfather. When he was young his father brought him, along with his two brothers, to this spot on his grandfather's land to camp by a creek on the property. 

He remembered playing under this rock, which he called a "cave". 

I think it's so neat that his grand kids played under it. And loved it!

Part of the reason we weren't able to visit this spot on the land before is because it had become overgrown. Until this showed up:


David was a little unsure about this piece of machinery at first, but once he saw what it could do, he loved it!




Also before the end of the year [12/29] we celebrated Bogie's 13th birthday! The kids absolutely loved singing Happy Birthday to him. In fact, we did it again several times just for fun.


Getting a birthday pat from David.



And finally getting to eat his cake. Bogie, not David.

Did you notice Rachael's outfit? That would be her winter pj's with David's boots. She is so silly sometimes.


The weather was very cold while we were out there, but don't worry, Rachael still looked cute and stylish.

That used to be my hat!

Then it was New Year's Eve! We all gathered on the upper deck of the barn to watch Ryan and Uncle Rich set off our fireworks show just like we did last year and the year before [any many years before this blog began].

All the kids ready for the fun to begin.


The pretty girls.


And handsome boys.




And after the fireworks-- SPARKLERS!!!
.
Look at that face. Pure joy.


On New Years Day we had our Southern tradition of turnip greens, black eyed peas, and cornbread. We believe that anyone who stirs the greens will have good fortune for the year, the peas are for luck, and in the cornbread a hidden dime- extra good luck to the one who finds that!

Both kids took their turns stirring the pots.













I can't wait to see what 2013 holds for our family! Happy New Year!