My visit to Florida was suddenly cut a little short when my parents, the girls, and I made an impromptu trip to South Carolina. Although I love visiting my family up there, the circumstances for this visit were not happy. On January 7, 2013 around 2am, my Papa ended his battle with lung cancer and went home to be with the Lord. It really isn't the same without him here. He is missed very much.

Bill Amos was a great man who did a lot of things in his life. Most of them were written out so nicely in his obituary, so I wanted to include it here:

First Sgt. Bill M. Amos U.S. Army (Ret.) COLUMBIA - Funeral services for Bill M. Amos, 86, will be held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at Shandon Baptist Church, officiated by Reverend Jerry Long. Interment will be at 2 p.m. in Ft. Jackson National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Honorary pallbearers will be both former and present members of the Columbia Police Department. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at Greenlawn Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Shandon Baptist Church, 5250 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC 29206. Mr. Amos passed away Monday, January 7, 2013. Born in Morganton, NC, he was a son of the late James W. Amos and Mary Sue Causby Amos. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII. He retired after 24 years of service as acting SMG of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Training Brigade, BCT, Fort Gordon, GA. Mr. Amos was retired from the City of Columbia Police Department after 18 years of service. He was a longtime member of Shandon Baptist Church. Mr. Amos was a member of the American Legion, Post #182 and also served in the Honor Guard while stationed in Washington, DC. Mr. Amos was responsible for starting the Crime Prevention Program in the State of South Carolina. Surviving are his loving wife of 60 years, Kathryn D. Amos; daughters, Sheree Poole of Lexington, Pamela Caraway (Mike) of Florida and Tammie Calcutt of Columbia; sister, Carolyn Pirkle of Greenville; brother, Charles Amos of Lugoff; grandchildren, Jaime Cooper (Fiance Bobby), Jason Cooper (Jaclyn), Jodi Wiles (Brandon), Jared Poole, Catherine Caraway, Jeane Gardner (Matt) and Candice Garren; eleven great grandchildren; also a number of nieces and nephews. Friends and relatives are invited to view this obituary and share condolences or memories at www.greenlawn-columbia.com.

He had a beautiful funeral with full military honors.

Me and my cousin, Candice

Nana and my cousins, Jaime and Jodi

Sweet Rylee and Kaylee drew this for Papa

Kaylee and Myla

Rylee and Ainsley

They folded the flag to give to Nana

Nana and her three daughters

The girls did enjoy themselves while we were there, though!

Ainsley, Jodi, and Grayson

Eating some yummy popsickles

Grayson getting a bug for Myla

Grayson and Ainsley

Showing each other how strong they are :)

My attempt at getting a photo of Myla and Grayson together

Peek-a-boo!

Sisters!

Yes ma'am, she has curly hair

Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestate/obituary.aspx?n=bill-m-amos&pid=162224686&fhid=6357#storylink=cpy

Final days in Florida

  I couldn't believe how quickly time was slipping by! I had been in Florida for three months already! Luckily, we were experiencing some wonderful weather so we were able to go outside and enjoy it. Here are some pictures from my last few days in Florida for this trip.

Yummy Hibachi lunch

Ainsley is ready to roll!

Myla and Lochlan

Karissa and Jackson playing a game in the yard

Grandma Beth helping Myla blow bubbles

Silly face :)

The boys arguing over which one Myla loves - I'll have to remind them of this when they are older!

Looks like Galvin is ready to roll too!

Ainsley loved Sarah!

Mmm...rice crispies

The gang!

Aunt Karissa and Uncle Jackson with Myla and Ainsley

 We had so much fun over the last few months! I was so blessed to be able to spend time with family for so long while my husband was deployed. Love you all!

Christmas 2012

  After visiting my family in South Carolina in early December, my focus was turned towards my most favorite holiday of the year - CHRISTMAS!! Christmas Eve, really, is my most favorite day of the year because that is the day when everyone is really in the Christmas spirit, wonderful food and treats are starting to be prepared, children are excited for Santa to come, and the anticipation of Christmas morning is at its peak. We were all very spoiled this year with a wonderful Christmas at my parents house, followed by dinner and a family gathering at my brother-in-law's house!

Santa was here!

A pink piano - the only thing Myla asked for! 

                      
The video above is the girls coming in the room to see all of the presents for the first time :) 

   

Myla has some more princess dresses :)

Facetiming with Daddy on Christmas morning so he could be a part of it all!

Ainsley's first babydoll

Super hero Myla!

Ainley got some Princess balls! So happy!

Eating some yummy Christmas dinner

Uncle Steve and Lochlan playing Wii. Myla found a nice place to curl up

Me and my nephew, Galvin!

Aunt Karissa with Galvin and Ainsley

Time for White elephant gifts

Myla wearing the dress that Aunt Karissa made for her ;)

And you'd better believe Myla went home and performed for us on her new piano. She had us sit down and listen. This is a video of her performing her favorite song, "Call Me Maybe"