Siesta Key, Florida

We took the kids to the beach yesterday! We are staying right on the beach (well across the street, but there is are no other buildings blocking our beautiful view). It was a perfect day for a winter visit to the beach. Of course, I prefer it to be warmer, but it really was nice. I don't know how the kids could stand the 65 degree water, but they had a blast. Mary Frances and Abigail both tried out Logan's paddle board. Mary Frances stayed on her knees.
But Abigail was brave enough to stand. Look at her go. Kevin, Ben, Sam, and Emma Grace are watching in the background.
Heather and Anne enjoyed watching the kids from the shore!
The kids had a blast being covered up in the sand and made into different figures! This is Chase as an octopus.
Mary Frances helps Sienna become a mermaid.
Thomas is an octopus.
Maggie poses as the girls' favorite, a mermaid!
Emma Grace
Mary Frances
Abigail
Grayson was muscle man!

Duke Family Reunion

Kiernan and Jarrad had a little cupcake war going on! I didn't notice how the carpet fared!

Adam, the Chef and bartender, had everyone mesmerized tonight by all the fancy and unique items he served up! One thing not pictured were gel-coated mojito drops. They burst in your mouth! In this picture, he is literally blowing smoke out of his nose after eating a cheese ball soaked in liquid nitrogen! Unfortunately, I had a difficult time capturing the dragon-like smoke!But here's a picture of Heather just after she put it in her mouth! It was amazing to watch the smoke come out of everyone's noses once they closed their mouths!
Adam's finace, Ellen, made delicious cupcakes and icing and allowed the kids to decorate their own! Logan said that Chase ate 5 of them!

This is his version of gin and tonic! Some type of gel on top of a sliced lime and sprinkled with powdered sugar! Adam's version of s'mores. It was pureed graham crackers covered in chocolate. Then he stuck some type of noodle through it to make it look like a bomb and lit it on fire. You could eat it as soon as the fire went out!
Everyone watching the s'mores "bomb".
Sienna had a good time decorating her cupcakes too! She is so shy. I'm determined that she will like me before the week is over! :) That's her dad, Chris, with her!
I know it's hard to believe that Chase enjoyed the cupcakes! He said that he won the cupcake mustached contest, and I think he did!
Jennifer and Tami stirred the icing for the cupcaked until their arms were sore!

More astonished viewers at the bar!
Adam also made some rockin' Frozen Margaritas with the liquid nitrogen. They were smoother than sorbet! This is him making them. The silver bowl to the right is filled with saurkraut chips that he actually made out of pureed saurkraut!

Grandma played for us for a while! I love it when she plays! I feel so blessed that she is in our lives!
Reagan tries to blow the smoke out of her nose, but I think she waited too long to put the cheese ball in her mouth! There was not time for hesitation! I didn't try it because it was a little too freaky for me!
Our three kids with Heather's four! What a group, huh? All seven years and under!

Christmas in Georgia

What a fun Christmas! We had to sing Jingle Bells every night for the Christmas lights to come on! That was amazing!

We were so excited that Unlce T and Aunt Jean came and brought Papa G. The kids had a great time playing with him. He taught Mary Frances how to use the crochet hook to make pot holders!
Santa even knew we were in Georgia! Check out the boot prints he left on the fireplace! Daddy reminds us what Christmas is really all about - Jesus!
Bailey was a little overwhelmed by all the craziness! He isn't used to having all the kids around!Jessie did a great job setting the table for Christmas Dinner!
The kids loved their keyboard from Papa G. They will have so much fun with it in their playroom!Mary Frances finally got a Chocolate Fountain! She has been wanting one for a year!
The boys had fun playing the card game "war" with Papa G.

Mamaw's Cookie House

My dad's mom started a Christmas Tradition in 1963 when she made Family Circle Magazine's Cookie House. She continued to make it every year before Christmas and the family broke it on New Year's Day. So, just after Ray C. and I were married, I asked her for her recipe. She was so kind to mail me her written recipe with all kinds of cute side notes! We have enjoyed making it our own tradition!
Grandaddy constructs the cookie house with Fluffy Frosting!
Chase adds the coconut "snow".
All who contributed...
Check out what we did!
Can't forget the skittles Christmas lights.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

My friend, Lauren, and her mom, invited us to a birthday party for Jesus today. The kids had a wonderful time!

They had a relay race with marshmallows!


Mary Frances, Mary Anna, and Merritt
We had a great time decorating the gingerbread house!
Mrs. Rosemary watches as the kids decorate.
Thomas enjoyed his cupcake and then gave Jessie a big kiss!
Merritt and Christy
Mary Anna
Lauren did a great job with the Bible Lesson.
Sweet little Davis watched from his high chair.