Whoa! When did Christmas get here?!

I do not know if it is because I am getting older or what but time just seems to be flying by! I was looking at pictures from last years Christmas and Rawls was just learning how to crawl and now he is walking/running everywhere and if there is something to climb on then he will find a way to make it happen! He is such a fun kid with a definite personality, and it has been such a fun and crazy year and a half.
Alright so on to what we have been doing over the past few weeks and the reasons it has taken me this long to sit down and blog. As you might remember, I decided this past summer to go back to school (online at least) and get my Masters in History. While I believe this is a crazy  wise decision to do go ahead and do this at this time in my life, it has kept many of my nights and weekends jam packed with readings of the Reformation and the Renaissance. I think these time periods are extremely interesting, however Rawls is not a big fan of them at all so this limits my study time until after he goes to bed. Thank goodness I only decided to take one class this term,  I am not sure I  (or Paul) could handle me taking two!
So we were not sure if we were going to get a tree this year just because with a one year old who is super curious and loves to explore everything (as well as throw it at some point) it could be a challenge to keep him and the ornaments in tact. We decided to go ahead and get one and Rawls loves it! We only put ornaments on the top half though. :) He also has a small one in his room as you will see in the picture. He even has a "Christmas Tree" dance that he does when you turn on the lights. ( He loves to dance! and actually has pretty good rhythm:)

Hmmm so many to choose from

We found it!

Supervising daddy put the stand together

Yay! Christmas tree! (Notice the ornaments
only on the top:)

So it was fun putting up all of our Christmas trees, but I am not sure if anything compares to the excitement chaos that we have discovered in taking pictures for our Christmas card. We have some very kind friends, Ashley and Lisa, who for the past two years have undertaken this adventure and have so graciously taken our picture. We include Izzie in the picture so as you might imagine- it is INSANE! and it always ends with Paul wanting to throw her in the river (not literally - well almost) This year we were in a large field, and I included some of the pictures that did not make the cut as well as some that did- ENJOY! (There are alot and most of them do not need a caption- but I'm sure you can use your imagination to come up with a few things for these pictures :)

Now for the ones that did make the cut! It is amazing that we were able to get some really good ones in the midst of all the mayhem!

This is just a little bit of what the Karnes have been up to over the past few weeks- throw in a few Christmas parties and late night bonfires in the backyard and you can see why it has been a few weeks since I last posted. 

We have family coming into town most of next week but I will definitely be posting some Christmas pictures as well. 

So long for now and until next time 

 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!!!

Paul's 31st Birthday and Thanksgiving

So, Paul turned 31 this year, and his birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year so we had a little party the Saturday before. Clemson was playing NC State, so we watched the game and had bbq with all the fixins. Although the game was a sad one, everyone still had a great time.
 Just an FYI- There are a lot of pictures on this post so be ready!

Chris and JD at the Cornhole

Chris, Brad and David playing Cornhole
while Rawls cleans up the play area

Sweet couple- Ashley and Lisa

Catherine and Stephanie

David, Paul and Kevin

Almost all the girls

Now onto Thanksgiving! We went to Virginia this year for Thanksgiving which was alot of fun, and we had gorgeous weather the entire time. We were in Newport News first , and then went to Culpeper, then back to Newport News. Rawls had a great time receiving all kinds of attention from his Grammie and Pop, and also from his great grandparents as well as his great-great grandmother, Nanny. She turned 100 years old this year, and she is doing great!

Rawls helping Pop rake his leaves

Rawls loves a dog- (Good girl Mel)

Paul and Paul Jr

Papa and Oma with Rawls, Paul and Billly

Four Generation Picture

Rawls getting his groove on in Williamsburg

Loved all the Christmas decor

Rawls and Paul in the gallows

Cute family picture :)

Rawls was tired of taking pictures

But we did manage this one, and its super cute

This is his normal state right now- "Let's see how many
things I can climb in or over." :)

Nanny and Rawls building

We had such a wonderful time hanging out with our family, and we are so thankful for each of them. Now- BRING ON CHRISTMAS!
During this holiday season, may we not get so wrapped up in things that we forget to give what really matters. Here are some ideas to help spread the Christmas cheer during this joyous time.

1. If going through a drive thru- buy the person's order who is behind you. 
2. Go grocery shopping for the sole purpose of putting it in the “Food for Families” box in the entryway of the store
3. Pay past due library fees for 5 people (I am open for someone to do this for me- haha j/k (sorda) :)
4. Donate a poinsettia to a local school
5. Buy and donate toys for “Toys 4 Tots”
6. Take treats to the employees of your local Post Office branch
7. Purge from your personal “library” and donate to a school library in need

I did not come up with all of these ideas on my own, but I have done some of them and it is a great way to stop and think about what is really important this Christmas season. Here is the link where you can find some more ideas if you wish-  Random Acts of Kindness

So until next time...

Football and Halloween

The past few weekends have been football filled! Our community group went to the Clemson/UNC game two weeks ago, and we stayed at one of our friend's grandparent's lake house (Thank you to the NANA and DADDY VINCE!) Nana and Papaw were kind enough to come hang out with Rawls for the weekend- I didn't really have to twist their arms though :)  It was such a great weekend with friends and football, plus as an added bonus- Clemson beat UNC! GO TIGERS!
   Then this past weekend Grammie and Pop came down for another fun-filled weekend. We went to the       Nationwide Golf tournament and the Harvest Festival at church in Friday. Then on Saturday, we headed down to the Citadel for their football game against VMI- sorry Keydets, tough loss- then onto a basketball game as well.   However, I think Rawls had a little too much fun over the weekend and has been sick ever since. Poor baby :( We were not able to go Trick or Treating because he was not feeling well, so I just put his costume on him so we could take a picture- he was a Puppy Dog and a super cute one at that.

Sunrise from the lake house- Gorgeous!

Laura and I

Death Valley

Paul and I (Solid orange baby!)

Tiger Walk

Puppy

So cute:)

Grammie and Pop



And on another note- I wanted to share a few recipes that I have made over the past week which were quite tasty and will definitely be on the "To Make again" list. Once again these are from Pinterest so if you follow me you will find these on my YUMMERS board:)

Pizza Dip- I made this for Community
Group and everyone loved it

Salsa Chicken- I made this for some
friends for dinner and it was delicious

Crockpot Pork Tenderloin- very easy and tasty

In our church, we are studying about using our talents from God for God; so in this season of Thanksgiving may we always give back to the one who has given us all we have. 

 

SO until next time...