November 30, 2008

Hatteras Island, Outer Banks, NC (November 23-30, 2008)

We had our annual Haws family reunion for Thanksgiving this year in a huge 8-bedroom oceanfront beach house on Hatteras Island, Outer Banks, North Carolina. Eliza's sister Bridgett flew in from Arizona with her 4 children, Eliza's sister, Amberly, was also able to make the trip from Arizona with her husband, Jamie, and their 2 kids. Ryan, Eliza's brother, made the Arizona trip by himself, since his wife, Crystal, is just finishing up her first tour-of-duty in Iraq. Emily, Christina, Ellen, and Jacob also drove down with their families, and David "graced us" with his presence, coming back from Southern Virginia for the holidays. All-in-all, we had 33 people staying under one roof.

There was plenty of space, which is something new for the Haws family. In the past, we have unsuccessfully attempted to cram all of Eliza's 9 brothers and sisters with their growing families into grandma and grandpa's 3 bedroom house. We've tried getting hotels nearby, camping out in the yard, and a multitude of other solutions, all of which naturally contributed to the drama and bickering that naturally flows from gathering too many people together into one space. This reunion was different; drama was kept to a minimum, and everyone had their space and freedom. We would like to thank Kim and Toni for all of the organization that went into this great event.

The house was great; it had a movie theatre, pool table, foosball table, hot tub, boardwald to the beach, and huge bay windows out the back which gave panoramic views of a the ocean. This was the Whipperman family's first experience with an East Coast beach (besides Florida) and we were not disappointed.

Below are some pictures of our family reunion:


At one time we had 17 people crammed into the hot tub. This was after the "polar bear" swim in the ocean.


Eliza, with Emily and Savannah.


The "pirate ship" as Ryder calls it.


Nash sleeping on his uncle J.R.


This is a picture of the back of our beach house taken from the beach.


As you can see, Nash is getting plenty to eat, and he feels pretty happy about that. He weighs about 13 1/2 pounds now and is about 9 weeks old. Nash loves to be held and cuddled, but prefers to see what's going on in the room, so to keep him happy, you must face him away from you. He's learned how to scream pretty loud and will definately let you know when he's not happy.


Ryder loves playing with his cousins. One thing we learned in North Carolina, Ryder loves to be the center of attention. Unlike his older sister, Sawyer, he craves the spotlight. When the whole family clapped for him after singing his ABC's during the family talent show, his little body was so full of excitement he started dancing around and stomping his feet. Then when it was his younger cousin Maddox's turn to show off, he took every opportunity to get up on the stage and "help".


Emily, J.R., David and Eliza, eating Thanksgiving dinner. We had the Haws traditional BBQ turkey, which is always a treat.


Ryder and Sawyer, eating Thanksgiving dinner (one of the rare moments they sat still all week). The kids love having so many cousins to play with and so many aunts and uncles that pay attention to them.


Uncle David, the big, fat mermaid. It's a rule that the unmarried uncle must do his best to be the coolest uncle for all the neices and nephews. David does a great job at playing this part.


The big hole on the beach.


Posing after the "Turkey Bowl" football game on Thanksgiving morning. Cody, Eliza, Ryan, David, Mikkito, and grandpa Haws obliterated Miguel, Jamie, J.R., Randy, Malcolm, and Jacob in the most lopsided turkey bowl in history. The game ended at halftime because we were all so exhausted. We never realized how difficult it is to run and cut on the sand.


Sawyer, with her Aunt Amberly. Amberly rarely gets to see all of her neices and nephews since she lives in Arizona, so when she comes into town she spoils them with all the love and attention that she gives. Sawyer and Ryder were constantly playing at their Aunt Amy's feet.

Eliza, with sister, Christina and baby Andrew.


The kids, keeping warm by the campfire on the beach at night.


Sawyer, collecting seashells.


Eating dutch oven doughnuts by the campfire.


Two beautiful, happy girls.

Ryder, flying a kite with uncle Miguel on the beach.


Crazy grandpa doing the "Too-de-tah" dance.


Eliza, with sister, Emily.


Ryder, digging holes and building sandcastles.


Sawyer, building sandcastles.

November 27, 2008

Haws Family Pictures (November 27, 2008)


Grandpa and Grandma Haws with all of their grandkids. From left to right: Matthew, Mikkito, Sawyer, Nash, Grandpa, Savannah, Maddox, Riley, Jayden, Kaitlyn, Andrew, Grandma, Malcolm, Garrett, Ryder, Whittnee, Tanaya, Kenya.


The Haws Clan. From left to right: Baranek Family (Riley, Jamie, Amberly, Garrett); Stout Family (Randy, Christina, Kaitlyn, Andrew); Ortega Family (Matthew, Miguel, Jayden, Ellen, Mikkito); Ryan Haws; Stewart Family (Malcolm, Tanaya, Whittnee, Kenya, Bridgett); Grandma and Grandpa Haws; Amanda and Jacob Haws; Pudder Family (Maddox, Savannah, Emily, J.R.); David Haws; Heath Haws (poster); Whipperman Family (Sawyer, Eliza, Ryder, Nash, Cody).


Cody (29), Ryder (2 years, 8 months), Nash (2 months), Eliza (24), Sawyer (4 years, 7 months).


Eliza's immediate family. From left to right: David, Eliza, Jacob, Christina, Bridgett, Toni (Mom), Emily, Amberly, Kim (Dad), Ellen, Heath (poster), Ryan.

November 1, 2008

Autumn Leaves (November 1, 2008)


Ryder, with his sword.


Sawyer, with her friend, Bella.


Ryder, rolling in the leaves.


The neighborhood kids: Ryder, Cade, Bella, Sawyer, and Calli.


Cade, Sawyer, and Bella.