Making Mozzarella

My mom (Gami) came to visit this weekend while Clark and Clayton were on a Father/Son hunting trip. Not only did she make the house even more gorgeous, she brought the ingredients to MAKE mozzarella cheese with the girls. They enjoyed it until they had to form the curd into balls and then Katie was out saying she doesn't like to touch stuff like that. They then soaked the balls in buttermilk. Camille finally decided she would try it when it was out, but didn't go for the immediate buttermilk taste. I, on the other hand, will eat it all once it has soaked up Mom's amazing marinade.

Blessed Christmas

We were once again blessed with a wonderful Christmas with tons of family. We left Brownsville on December 18th and headed to Jackson, MS where both sides of our family are. We enjoyed spending time with MANY family members and never found a dull moment.

For some reason the Picasa slideshows weren't working when I posted this so I've put a link to all the pictures at the bottom. There are some great ones so check them out.

We started out Christmas Eve going to St. Richard's (Clark's home church and parents' church) then came back to the Converse's for dinner and presents with his side of the family.

Then the kids dressed in their new Christmas pajamas, wrote letters to Santa and went to bed. The next morning was Christmas at the Converse's. Santa brought Clayton and Katie Ipods, Camille an art desk and a Wii for the family. WHAT FUN!!

Christmas night we went to my Aunt Jennie and Uncle Curtis' house for Christmas with my family. The big hit of the night was when my cousin Seth (who plays for the Colorado Rockies) gave Clayton a 2007 World Series ball signed by the Rockies and some other Rockies items. It was also quite funny trying to get all the great-grandchildren to sit still for a picture.

Christmas night we spent the night at my Mom's house so we could open presents and have a huge breakfast there next morning. I think I'm still recovering from all the biscuits and bacon.

We rounded out the Christmas activites with dinner and presents and my Dad and Stepmom's house. It was such a wonderful way to end up our family Christmas time!

Here's the link to all the pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/mamiewnc/Christmas

Cookies and Caroling

We had some friends over last night for cookies, hot chocolate and cider. Then we went caroling and had so much fun.



We decided to go to the firehouse, but had a hard time finding any firefighters. Finally we found one and he said he'd open the door for the others, but when he opened the door it was just the fire trucks but we kept singing. Finally, one other firefighter poked his head around the corner. It was pretty funny so we asked the two men to take their picture with us. We TOTALLY loved caroling to firetrucks!!

Making Cookies

We're having people over on Tuesday for Cookies and Caroling so the Kaite, Camille and I made cookies today.

Camille's haircut for Locks of Love

Camille's hair has always been long, but she decided that she wanted to grow it loooong for Locks of Love (http://locksoflove.org/). As you can see in the pictures, today was the big day. I have to admit I did tear up as Kelly made the first cut, but Camille and I both love it and I think she'll really enjoy it. She also loves the idea that her hair will help a sick child have some hair of his/her own.

Christmas Decorating

Christmas decorating time is here. We did our tree last night and had a great time. As a new family we are creating new traditions that we will look forward to each year. Clark and I hung a few ornaments, but just let the kids have at it. And despite all the red eyes in the pictures the children were angels.

Also, my mom was in town this past weekend to help us make our house a home so we decided to paint the den while mom worked on drapes, pillows, etc. You can see a peek in the background. It looks AMAZING and we LOVE it!! Clayton asked if we were painting the den just for Christmas. Hee hee.

Haven for the dogs

Jack and Rockstar are pretty much outside dogs now so I asked my Dad if he was up to building a dog house for us. He built us an awesome dog house that has a raised floor and is insulated. Thanks Dad!! Doesn't it look great? (I was thrilled despite this less than attractive picture of myself). Watch the slideshow or click the link for a few pictures Dad took today. http://picasaweb.google.com/mamiewnc/DogHouse

Katie's 8th Birthday

Katie's 8th birthday was yesterday (Nov. 12th). We celebrated Saturday at our house with family. Today, she and Ellie had a surprise birthday together at Ellie's house (her birthday is Nov. 14th). Both parties were a blast. You can click on the link if you can't view the slideshow or want to see larger versions of the pictures. http://picasaweb.google.com/mamiewnc/KatieS8thBirthday

Grandpaw and Ali's Visit

Grandpaw and Ali came for a visit this past weekend. We started with soccer games and then went home for fun around the house. We played lawn games (football, new helicopter toy and sun catchers from Grandpaw and Ali, Bocchi ball, croqet). We also busted a pinata. Katie also opened early birthday presents. Check out the pictures in the slide show or click on the link for larger images: http://picasaweb.google.com/mamiewnc/GrandpawAndAliSVisit

Flag Football

Clayton invited some friends to a flag football game. They had so much fun, but we think the grown-up boys had more (of course they were all limping and complaining of body aches when they left the field).

Halloween

What fun we had tonight for Halloween! Katie was an American Idol contestant, Camille was a cat and Clayton was Shrek. We went over to some friends' house and trick-o-treated with 9 kids. Clark and Clayton also stopped by the church for the festival there.

Sock Hop

Camille's school had a Sock Hop today. The kids were so cute and did about 10 dances. I took pictures in the gym of the dances, but the lighting was so terrible that they didn't turn out. The other girl in the picture is Camille's best friend, Olivia. The biker dude is Benjamin (Tommy and Nan's son), who is like one of our children.

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Hatchie Fall Fest and Pumpkin Carving

Today on the square was the Hatchie Fall Fest. There were lots of booths and activities. Pops sent some money for the kids and of course Camille and Katie spent all of theirs and of course Clayton barely spent any to get a lemonade. Thanks for the treat Pops! Camille has a marshmellow gun in her mouth. It is actually pretty fun.

We then carved pumpkins.

Fall Break

We had a week off for Fall Break (except poor Clarkybaby).

Clayton and Kaite headed to Florida with JJ and Pops. They had a blast on the beach building sand castles, boogie boarding and swimming in the ocean. They also went shopping and played golf. Can you guess which pair did which of those activities??

Camille and I headed to our old stopping grounds, Asheville. We had a great time visiting old friends and eating at our favorite restuarants. I was lucky enough to get to meet and visit with Cindy and Blake's sweet baby, Hattie (http://www.esselstyn.blogspot.com/). What a sweet blessing she is.

For the last weekend of Fall Break, Clark's company put on a Professional's Weekend at their facility in Memphis. Clark was in charge of the whole weekend and did an amazing job. We went to the one in April and what a huge difference when they have the right person in charge. I was proud to be there with him as his wife.

Since I was in Memphis with him all weekend Camille went to Jackson for some quality time with grandparents. Grandpaw took her to the Farmer's Market and then the zoo. That afternoon Ali joined them and they went to the Fair. What fun!

Camille then joined Gami for adventures in the attic, art lessons, baking cookies, and pumpkin crafts. They had a blast and Camille came home with lots of projects.

Click on the link to see some pictures Grandpaw sent: http://picasaweb.google.com/mamiewnc/FallBreak?authkey=_tntYyNGXmE

Soccer Mom!!

When Clark and I bought the mini-van, my friends, family and I laughed about the whole soccer mom thing. Well, here it is. I got Clark to take a picture this morning of me with our 3 children in front of the mini-van headed to all their soccer games. I guess I wouldn't have it any other way - what a blessed life and family I have !

Report Cards

The first 6 weeks have ended and all three kids did wonderfully.

Clayton made 1st Honor Roll (all A's).

Katie made 2nd Honor Roll (all A's and B's).

Camille made Satisfactory in all areas.

Silly Stuff

For those of you who know Clark well, you know that if he is in the house there is plenty of silly stuff going on all the time. Clayton and Clark often play "Ultimate" (a baseball game created by Clayton) and he was sporting his fairy helmet.

Tonight Clark, the girls and I played Pretty, Pretty Princess and, of course, Clark won. Isn't he a pretty princess?

We participated in a Walk-a-thon today for NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) and had a great time. Camille said it was the best day of her life. The girls won the purple t-shirts in a dance contest and Clayton won a Grizzlies notebook made out of a game ball in a raffle. There was also face painting, popcorn, snow cones, and geese to feed in the pond. It was a fun family day.