New Year's Beach Day

The Lockwood cousins were in town for a little while longer,

so it was very nice for the weather to gift

them one more trip to the beach.

 Charley's not so sure the hat is necessary, 

especially since her sisters aren't wearing any!

While the bigger kids played in the waves,

the beach was a far safer place for the wee ones

and a much better spot to get some great pictures.

Thanks, as always, Nonnie!

Happy New Year's Birthday Cookoff!

 We are still trying to see what else we can squeeze into New Year's Day to

draw our family back in to our house.

Payton's birthday is really all they needed.

Sweet Payton was born the day after Christmas, 

so we give it about a week before we celebrate

(plus, she has two other cousins whose birthdays fall within that same week).

I'm guessing something there's always something worth celebrating, 

but nine months before Christmas... must be a special time for my family.

Because it's New Year's Day, 

we have started a Black-eyed Peas and Cabbage Cookoff as well,

There's a little bit of an Iron Chef element to it, 

as no sensible meal wants to highlight black-eyed peas or cabbage.

 But when you make a black-eyed pea salsa,

and put in three black-eyed peas,

you certainly increase your odds of winning

the coveted prize.

Congratulations, Jaimee.

Enjoy your victory while it lasts.

I should note that even though Nick's cabbage entry 

looked like this by the end:

He didn't even get an honorable mention.

Oh well, you can't win them all.

I really wanted to add this picture for Charley's "I'm gonna punch the paparazzi" face.

And moments later, tries to draw her photographer back in...

Happy New Year!  Wishing both of my blog readers the happiest of New Years!