What's New With The Carter Family

  It was with disbelief and overwhelming sadness that I heard the news of my Nannu’s passing – for though he was 93 years old and in declining health, I had convinced myself that he was always going to be with us.   God, however, had a different plan.     While my heart aches for the loss of my Nannu, I am grateful for the time we got to spend together and the many wonderful memories I have of him.   It is my honor to share some of these with you all today. Let’s face it:   you always knew when Nannu was around.   Mostly because he would announce it himself, at the top of his lungs, every chance he got.   “Nann-u!” he would yell.   Just randomly throughout the day.   And it wasn’t just his name.   He used to have lots of little sayings that he liked to call out.     “Et Boti?”   It makes me smile just to remember it J   It’s these little quirks that made him unique.   Our Nannu was not your av...

My mum has been staying with us for the last month. She's been keeping me company at home, getting to watch her new little grand-daughter grow. We've gone shopping a little (mum is a huge shopping fiend, don't let her tell you any different!) but mostly have stayed home, relaxing. One of the things mum has really enjoyed during her visit was getting to see it snow! It's snowed twice since she's been here, one time it even stuck around for the morning :) Here she is when it snowed for the first time... Last weekend my cousin Dean (my dad's sister's son), one of his boys - Aaron, and his wife Carol came to visit. Mum really enjoyed seeing them again! And let's not forget mum's FAVORITE moment here....NOT! The haircut. She had wanted me to snip off a HALF inch....and was not happy when I cut off about 3 inches instead LOL. Sorry! I'm not exactly a professional...and besides, it really needed it to be somewhat straight! It's not my f...

Nunna Mary has arrived! Jem and Finley's grandma, my mom, has come all the way from Australia for a 2 month visit :) Yippee!!!!

One of the best parts of Christmas for me is spending time with family...and even though my mum, dad and brother weren't here with us, I did get to have a nice video chat with them. I love that we can do that now :) It's like they're sitting right in front of me, just a little smaller and a little fuzzier! One of my other favorite things about Christmas is sending and receiving Christmas Cards, Photos and Newsletters! Here is this year's "Door of Fame".....thank you to every family who sent us a card or photo....we absolutely love hearing from you! This year we kept the "Door of Fame" up until way into the new year :) I took a picture of it right around Christmas (though we did receive some more cards/pictures after that point, they are not in the pic below). Take a look.... Another of my favorite things at Christmas time is having the kids spend time with their grandpa! We are always so happy to have him come visit, and Jem and River (and now...

Gotta love the technological age...I mean, really. Here I sit on my computer, typing my thoughts. And halfway across the world, someone is reading them. That's some serious technology! The best part of it all is that I can sit at my desktop and have a full on video chat with my family back in Australia...as often and for as long as I like, and without it costing anything more than what I pay for an internet connection! Amazing! The computer & the internet....the two BEST things ever invented.

This Christmas was the first one in 10 years where I got to actually "see" my family. Thanks to the marvels of modern technology (a computer and a webcam), I got to have a Christmas chat with my folks, my brother, and their lunch guest.....my grandfather (also known as Nunnu). It was an amazing experience, seeing my grandfather again - but the most incredible part of it was that he actually SAW and HEARD me too. Kind of a miracle, seeing as my Nunnu is legally blind, hard of hearing, and sometimes not always aware of what's going on around him.... But it was like a light clicked inside of him and he realised who I was and that he could indeed see and hear me :) It was priceless. We actually had a short conversation, something I wasn't even able to do with him when I visited in 2007. Brings tears to my eyes just remembering it :) What a great gift this was...it's something I will NEVER forget.

My parents, Mary and Michael (also known as "Mum'n'Dad") came to the USA to visit us this summer. They were here for almost the whole month of August....and it was the first trip to the States for my dad, and the first in 7 years for my mum! It was AWESOME having them here... I can't express how much it meant to me to be able to spend some time with them again :) Here are some of the highlights from their (too short) stay. Welcome to the USA! A walk to Lundeen Park, Lake Stevens. Going to a baseball game - to see the "Aquasox" play Boise. Jem and "Nunna" making Koulourakia. A visit to Pike Place Market in Seattle. Mum bought some beautiful flowers there. Dad was always busy doing something around the house...he made firewood bundles, sanded and stained our decks, moved building blocks, installed a storm door.....wheew! Thanks for all of your help dad :) Mum and Jem cuddling together on the couch. On the Mukilteo Ferry, on our way home ...

Yay!!! My mum and dad are here :) Not much more to say is there???? Very very happy!

This past August, Jem and I were lucky enough to be able to take a month long trip down to Australia! It was Jem's second time there, and he was VERY excited to be able to see his Nunna, Papou, Uncle Con, Bouz Nunnu and all of the friends and family I've spoken so much of. We were able to spend time with my beloved Tzia Rose, Bill's girls Jaymie and Alex (who will always have a very special place in my heart), and my bestest friend from high school and beyond, Joanne. I am so glad that Jem got to spend some time with these very special people. Here they are below..... Jaymie and Alexandra... Joanne... My Tzia Rose... We got to visit with many other friends and family during our trip - thank you to everyone who came to see us or met up with us, we really loved seeing you again! Jem and I have some pretty awesome memories of our holiday - going to the beach to collect shells with Papou, playing cards for money (haha!), my dad's awesome (did I say AWESOME?) greek salad, f...