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...

There is someone that is very special to me - her name is Jaymie . She is my cousin Bill's oldest daughter, and lives in Australia. When she was younger, and before I moved to the US to marry Brandon, I used to love spending time with her. She was such a smart little girl - full of spunk and love. She would come over to visit my grandpa with her family, and always end up in my room, at my desk, drawing. There's always been a very special place in my heart for Jay Jay...and there still is. It's very odd to me that almost 13 years have gone past since I left Australia. In that time, I've managed to go back and visit a couple of times...and have even had Jaymie come up here for the birth of Jem (which meant so much to me to have her share that with us). Through it all, I still can't help but remember her as she was when I left - 5 years old, adorable as heck, and my special little friend. Yesterday she celebrated her 18th birthday. So bizzare! How can she be Eighteen a...

Literally ONE day after arriving back home from Italy, Brandon hopped back on a plane (with Jem this time) and headed to Indiana for a quick 2 day visit. They were there to celebrate a very special occassion - Brandon's Great Grandma Nickels' 100th Birthday! She looks AMAZING, and as you can see from the photos below, her party was a family celebration. Almost everyone was able to make it, and it was wonderful for Jem to meet so many of Brandon's side of the family!

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 ...

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...