The Jokester -Part 1

Jonah always keeps us rolling. I think that he gets that from his Branham roots (there's not too many of those in him). He's always popping up with stuff like this. Comedy is a big part of my family, so I love to watch my kids find humor in things.

Ok, Finally Christmas Pics

Ok, so that pic doesn't surprise anyone.

Uncle Rob enjoying Jonah's Christmas present.

As you can see, the kiddies got a Wii for Christmas.


Woogie got a baby doll.

Christmas was wonderful. I was just so grateful to be able to be together for Christmas, and to be safe in our home. With the way things are right now, I think it helped everyone realize what is truly important. Our holidays were so serene and I think that the kids were able to really able to focus on Christ. That's actually a big deal to us.

The Sunday before, we were able to have the entire Del Priore clan over. It was good to be with everyone that we don't get to see too often. There was of course a ridiculous amount of food. But, so much fun that we took the party to U. Johnny's the day after Christmas for games.
(Christmas cont.)We were also able to be with the Branham family. And that night we were able to go spend time with the Del Priore's. We ended the night at Deda's watching movie's until 2 am. It was fun.

Christmas Eve Entertainment

I can't take credit for this. It was compliments of my brother...Jas.


Top 10 ways to tell if you’re a Branham at Christmas time…

You haven’t seen a real Christmas tree in the house since 1984

You’re wishing there was a real Christmas tree in the house to cover “that smell” in the kitchen

You’re avoiding Jason so he doesn’t con you into wrapping presents for him

You’re mentally rehearsing new approaches for convincing Dad that he actually does need to surprise Mom with a gift on Christmas

Some of your life’s most impressive intellectual work has been strategizing shopping routes on Black Friday

You’ve ever had a Christmas dinner consisting of spicy mustard, crackers and summer sausage

There are 10 pecan pies on cooling racks and 4 kinds of egg nog in the fridge in Mom and Dad’s kitchen

“Santa” finds a way to use the word “crotch” while passing out presents under the tree

You’re still part of a Christmas morning choo-choo train even though you’re 30 years old

You’re calling Dad’s bluff for telling anyone who’ll listen that he only got fruit as presents as a child

Too cute!

Hi, my name is Woogie and I'm a photoholic.


I couldn't resist. I got Amber ready for the day, and just thought how cute and stylish she looked in her birthday boots. I figured that it was worth pulling out the camera for.

Happy Birthday Munchie!

Amber's 4th birthday is today. I'm sure my thorough sister will have pics on her blog of today's b-day festivities. However, I took her for her party on Friday. I was going to take some friends to a Snow Queen ballet. However, when we arrived at the Ghetto; we found that this play was not at an upscale "Columbia Children's Theatre". It was indeed a run down elementary school on a dead end. Let's just say that I wasn't surprised that there was "Free Parking". I refused to pay $6 a head for that. So, I asked the kidlets if they wanted to go to Build a Bear. They happily agreed. They had a lot of fun and we had some serious drama from Thimbletack on the way back. Afterwards we went to the ice cream store for treats! It was a Fabulous Ladies Night OUt! Not to be forgotten. Now I owe Munchie a trip to the Nutcracker! HAH!

This was the girls trying to find out what kind of ice cream they want.

Are we having fun yet?!

Picking out their bears and washing them.

Last one!

I know, I've posted a lot! But, here's our family pic that we finally took.

Gone so Soon?

Frankie's leaving us this weekend. We really are sad to see him go. We've LOVED having him here, and feel an emptiness at the thought of him leaving us. I really am already thinking of when we can see him next. Ethan told him in the car that "Now that Frankie's leaving I'll be the big brother". Too sweet!

We wanted to take him out before he leaves this weekend. We said tell us where to go...just NOT Waffle House! So we ended up at R.Tues. We all tried the various lemonades that he turned us on to. It was a great night. It ended with He and Roc playing with Mr. Bo...I know Frankie's gonna miss him.



The kiddies trying to stay warm in the parking lot.

Jonah had a little too much to drink!and eat.

Frankie enjoying a thirst quencher.

All of us with our Fruity Lemonades.

Amber and Frankie

Traitor?!

I'm gonna get all kinds of hate mail from this one! I went to put on this sweater on Saturday...GAME DAY! I couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Consequently, we played Florida. If you click on the picture, you can read what the screen says. We did not even plan this! Serious. I thought it'd be funny to take a pic by a football game. I think I was being punished, b/c I went outside and it was HOT! So, I went and changed after all. But, we still lost :( (which my hubby always says is my fault).

What A Weekend!

No pics this time. However, I thought I'd write about our Roadshow since it took up my ENTIRE weekend! First off can I just say that I have the best Husband EVER?! We had a 24 hour Road Show and He took care of them (no questions asked)the whole time.

Our theme was "Agency and Accountability". We chose to use the Star Wars theme. The youth did a great job. It was wonderful, no stressful costuming or scenery. It was more about a very funny and clever skit. BUT...I'm glad to be home again with my family.

Childhood Moments

I just love buying FrankenBerry cereal and CountChocula cereal! I brings me back to being a kid. Even "Papa" ate breakfast with us this morning (my big kid). He never eats breakfast, I don't know how he does it! Happy Halloween!!

Our 1st Pumpkin Carving

Well, it was everyone's 1st pumpkin carving except for Rocco. We got to have some friends come over to share the experiences. It was so nasty! The strings and seeds were so slimy! There was pumpkin found all over the kitchen! But we had a lot of fun. I carved the face and Rocco carved the monster. I think they turned out pretty good.
I look forward to next year, we might get a little more tricky!

Here ya' go Marina!

Here's a photo shoot of Frankie's new hair cut that his real mom requested. He's also sporting his new clothes. Gotta have a coat in S.C.! :)

Play Time

Well, Friday the boys had school out and 2 friends came over to play. I decided to call Erin to bring over her girl Amber's age, and her boy Giana's age. This is what I caught on camera. Yes, that is a wrestling mat in my Living Room!

Not Again!!

I went out Saturday, leaving Rocco and Frankie with the kids. They went to the Flea Market of course! (Rocco can't resist) So, this is what I came home to...Mr. Bojangles. Seriously, we own an iguana named Mr. Bojangles! And of course it's a baby. They always end up with baby reptiles and I think reptiles are hard enough to take care of, let alone a baby!
Anyways, the kids pretty much like him; however Giana is lovin' him!






Anyone want to place bets on how long he lives?!

The Whole Family, FHE

We've been playing a lot together. Monday we decided to have a big Family Home Evening. We talked about the Commandments. Then the kids played a game. The tombstone idea reminded me of the 10 commandments. Then we followed it up with a halloween treat.


Frankie and Kaia with the children...future parents.

Rocco throwing Reverence Rewards

The kids playing Musical Tombstones!

Story time...

Ethan has impressed us so much with his reading abilities. Tonight, I came upstairs and saw this. Too sweet! So, I brought up a lamp for him to read by and that was so cool for them. Last year, he had a reading tudor for most the year. But, all of a sudden it 'clicked'. From then on, he's actually reading on a grade level higher than his. I love it! And he was just tested where his teacher said he understands Fact better than Fiction, which is backwards. However, it's a good thing! I still remember sneaking up on him when he was a baby and he'd be sitting on the floor reading the books to himself so quietly.Awww!

Dry Ice Fun!

Well after reading Marina's blog, Frankie and I had a craving for some dry ice. We drove across town to get it and took it back to Pop's house to play. Everyone came over and we had a spaghetti dinner, played games, and played with the ice. Lizzy has more pics I think. Well, we came home and still had a lot left, so the guys surprised us with this show.


Caleb Warren and Frankie-so devious!

Fair Cont. or not?!

Jonah and Ali

Amber and Isabel were ridin' buddies

Rocco was called on stage to help with the magic show-His DREAM!

SC State Fair

Let me just preface this by saying I went to bat to get our family to the Fair. Thanks to some loving grandparents it happened. However, it opened 3 hours later than expected. Plus it rained the entire time. I had my doubts and was concerned about how the little ones would react to being wet...but they had a BLAST! We all did. We ate we played and Papa got to become entertainment(pics to follow).


Ethan and Isabel

Papi and Giana

I want to ride too!

Isabel sharing a candy apple with Giana

Anthony got to ride a ride with Ethan. Too cute!

Clean-O-Meter Tag

I must confess, I actually read this Tag Saturday. But, with Conference I didn't have a chance to act. I will say though that everything was clean Saturday and I didn't take pics then.
Anyways, the rules for this are that you can't clean anything. Leave everything AS IS, grab your camera and start snapping! Take pics of what I have below. I tag Mary and Tiffany.


SINK...it's actually half empty!

FRIDGE


KIDS-I had to do this while Gigi was asleep. Frankie was MIA-I told him he should be in there too!

Self-Portrait

CLOSET (I thought it appropriate to do Frankie's since he just moved in)

BATHROOM
to the untrained eye, it may look spotless. Ethan was supposed to clean it;lets just say he needs some work

LAUNDRY ROOM

FAVORITE ROOM-That's hands down my bedroom. I live in there about half as much as the living areas.

FAVORITE SHOES...my Rainbows have been money well spent especially when pregnant.