We have had a most memorable first year of marriage! We have enjoyed celebrating many special occasions and holidays with our families. While it is difficult to narrow down all of our memories, we have attempted to highlight our five most memorable events of 2008.

James and Staci’s Five Most Memorable Events of 2008

1. Holiday Dinners with our Families

2. First year Anniversary Trip to Charleston, South Carolina

3. Edisto Beach and Jack’s Cosmic Dogs

4. James’ 40^th Birthday Party & James’ 40^th Surprise “Luau” Birthday Party

5. Cooking Adventures

1) Holiday Dinners with our Families

Thanksgiving Trip to Tampa, Florida    James and I spend Thanksgiving in sunny Florida with my brother, Keith and his family. The Carolinians (my older brother Ken and his family, my mom and my grandparents) made the trip also. We enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving dinner together. We also celebrated Keith's retirement from the army. This was a very special time for our family. Lastly, James took me on an awesome adventure to a manatee reservation. We had an amazing time viewing these giant creatures.

PreChristmas Dinner with Dad and Grandma Caraman    Thankfully, I have participants that are willing to subject themselves to my culinary “trial runs”. James and I always enjoy our dinners with Dad and Grandma Caraman.

Christmas Eve Birthday Celebration for Mom  We celebrated mom's 40th Birthday with warm Chili, cornbread and good times!  No...my mom did not really turn 40, but take a look at the pictures and you will think she did.  Moms make the best friends! 

Christmas Dinner with the Clawsons   James and I hosted our first Christmas dinner in our (semi) remodeled home. We had a great time with Alicia and the girls and Thomas, Nickie and the boys (and soon to be girl). Spending Christmas day with Dad Clawson was very special. Of course, not to be forgotten, Pat and Flora make any family get together even more fun. Food, family, and Rock Band playin'...could anyone ask for a better holiday combination?

We are so thankful for the gift of family to share all of the special times in life with
and to support us through life's heartaches.

2) First Year Anniversary to Charleston   The highlight of our weekend getaway to celebrate our anniversary was taking a Low country cooking class. We had the best time learning some helpful tips for the kitchen, we had an even better time enjoying the delicious food, and we had the BEST time leaving the dishes for someone else to clean! We walked off all of that decadent food through the shops and markets of the area and simply enjoyed being together.

3) Edisto Beach and Jack's Cosmic Dogs  Nothing like a road trip to aid in the making of a special memory! James and I met his sister and the girls in Edisto for some R & R. Then, we traveled up the coast to Myrtle Beach to see, my niece, Conner recognized for receiving the state's Dare award. Of course, we had to search out Jack's Cosmic Dogs for a pit stop on our journey. James recommends the blue cheese slaw dog. Definitely good eats!

5) Cooking Adventures   James and I have had many exciting cooking adventures this year! My friends at Brockman gave me a gift certificate to make meals at a local Dish Dash. Yes, ladies...my husband went with me! He is such a trouper! We had a blast creating meals together. We have also enjoyed “experimenting” with creations of our own. We made healthy bread this year for Christmas presents from a weight watchers recipe book. We also made fried won tons, not as healthy, but definitely yummy. James insists that I include here that many of our cooking adventures have been around finding healthy ways to eat better. With the help of my patient husband and weight watchers, I have lost 40 lbs and look forward to losing more this coming year. If you are a fellow “hungry girl” and haven't heard of hungry-girl.com, I would highly recommend it!