Our Journey

Happy New Year!

The first day of 2009 was filled with football, friends, and food. What more do you need for a wonderful day? We enjoyed watching UGA football with our friends, The Porterfield's. We were glad to see the DAWGS win!! Looking forward to a great 2009!! This was a super way to kick off the New Year!

Ringing in 2009

Every year we spend New Year's Eve with our dear friends, the Myers and the Biesiadeckis. We started this tradition when Eric and I were engaged 11 years ago. It has grown over the years as we have added children to our families...now there are eight children and six adults. It is always loud.........and fun!!

Echols Family Christmas Celebration

The Echols family Christmas Party is always a wonderful time!! Each year we get the entire family together (about 50 people) at Eric's Aunt's House. We begin the afternoon with a huge lunch that is super yummy! Then we move into the living room for the gift exchange. There are so many people that it is like a sea of wrapping paper! So much fun! Santa always makes a special appearance during this time and brings a present for each of the kids. This year Santa was VERY familiar looking. :) Santa did a great job!! We are so thankful for our family and the times we get to all be together.

Merry Christmas to All

Christmas Day was wonderful this year!! The kids were up and ready to go early that morning. Emma and Will woke up first and could hardly wait to run downstairs at Meme's house to see what was under the tree. The first gift they spotted were their big wheels from Santa. They each got one!! After that they all three tore into their stockings and then it was just a whirlwind of tissue paper, gift bags, and toys. They loved every second of it. And we enjoyed watching them. We were super blessed to be able to spend the day with both of families at the lake. We enjoyed lots of good food, family and fun.

Here comes the Polar Express

Samuel's class enjoyed the Polar Express on the last day of school before the winter break. His teacher had all the kids wear the pajamas to school that day. They got to listen to her read Polar Express and then enjoyed drinking Hot Chocolate! They even had a special delivery that day from the north pole...a pretty wrapped package that contained a special bell on a red ribbon for each of them.

Christmas Celebrations with the Echols family

Christmas is such a wonderful time! Our house was full of excitement this year with three little ones that could hardly wait to celebrate Christmas. The entire month was filled with so much fun. The kids loved helping me decorate the Christmas tree and house. We got to take lots of evening drives to spot the best lights in the area...the more lights the better to them. Emma kept saying, "Mommy, we not have enough lights at our house". It was so cute. They loved visiting Santa too! One of the highlights of the month for them was their class parties and Christmas programs at school. It was wonderful to see them having such a great time!!