Happiness is...

listening to your oldest sing "love-a-byes" to his pet frog, Sticky.

Best Sellers

Jackson's class has been making books this year at school. Each child is asked the same question, and the teachers compile a book with all of the answers. It didn't dawn on me until recently to take pictures of Jackson's pages, as we have to give the book back. These are the most recent two:

"When I grow up, I want to be a... ARTIST."
"Love is.... my cars, trains, Mommy, Daddy, and brother Harris."

Happiness is...

fragrant, blooming jasmine and sprinklers on a great humid, spring morning run.

Trying...

to catch up... slowly...

Happy Birthday, Ganny!

Happy Birthday, Ganny (sorry a bit late!)!! We hope you had the best birthday ever, and we are saving lots of hugs and kisses for you next time we see you!

Love,

Jackson & Harris

(Mommy & Daddy, too!)

Happy Birthday, Harris!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Harris (a little late!)!!

My three year old. How do three years go by in the blink of an eye? I can't believe that just three short years ago, you were a baby in my arms. Today, you are a big, independent three year old (who thinks he is five years old). I have loved watching you grow and seeing you develop... lots of laughs and tears in the process.

You are a crazy one, Harris. You have this little walk or dance you do that makes everyone laugh. You are constantly on the go. Constantly. Constantly. People ask me all the time if "he is always like this". Yes, yes, yes. You wear me out with your constant going, but it is a good thing, as it helps me to find new things to do and to open new doors for you to explore.

You love to drive. Anything. This red car was your favorite until Santa brought the 4-wheeler. Now you are a daredevil on that... you love to drive Jackson (or any friends who may be around) around the yard, especially if it means you don't have to share the driving! I think we might have another Mario Andretti on our hands.

You are never afraid to try something new. I am always amazed at how easily you adapt to new situations and how you always jump in with both feet. Often times it is without looking, though, which always makes me nervous. I think your enthusiasm often is infectious to your brother who sometimes drags his feet... he seems to try more with you as his wing man.


You love being on the water, whether it is on Papa's Waterhouse or Daddy's boat. We had a rough trip in Daddy's boat not too long ago, and I was worried it might scare you off, but not a bit. The next time we went out, you were so excited and even said your favorite part was "going fast"! The adventures we had on Papa's Waterhousefort were a huge hit with you... you loved the adventure and the exciting places to see. I pray that your sense of adventure grows and grows, as we have many more adventures to come and new places to explore. I pray that you will never stop exploring.

You started the Two's class at Little School this year and quickly fell in love with your teachers, Miss Kelly and Miss Mindy. We hear all about your friends, their toys, what they do, and their potty habits. I love all of the artwork that you bring home and am especially impressed that everything is blue. It is by far your favorite color, I think particularly because Thomas the Tank Engine is blue. Maybe it is your favorite because it is my favorite, too...

You and Jackson have become great friends. It took awhile as you both figured out which buttons would aggravate the other, but now you play together all of the time. You are constantly asking Jackson to draw Thomas and Annie and Clarabel, and when he obliges, you carry the drawing around until it is torn and tattered. I love listening to the conversations that you two have and to the new sayings that you pick up from him.
You are extremely loving... to me, to Daddy, to Jackson, to your friends. You have won over the hearts of several of my friends with your random hugs and kisses. I love being on the receiving end of your "sucker kisses" and your strong, energetic hugs. I also love the snuggles I get when you first wake up from your nap... I know those will be gone before long, so I hope to get all of them that I can while I can.

Smile, smile, smile. I love your smile. At least 99% of your mornings begin with big smiles and you greeting us with "Happy Daytime!!". The sun shining is all it takes to make you smile and to make your day. I am looking forward to all of the sunny days of summer with you... lots of smiles and happy daytimes.
Speed has almost officially become Lightening McQueen to you, slthough I still catch you calling him Speed. However, Speed has been pushed to the side as Thomas has once again taken over your life. You love reading Thomas stories, doing Thomas puzzles, looking at Thomas pictures, and watching Thomas movies. I like Thomas, too, but after 4 constant Thomas years, I am ready for a new friend...

You love to sing. This video is you singing The Cat Came Back, a camp song that Greg McKee sang when he was here this winter. You also love singing all of your nursery rhymes, and you seem to always find a song to fit the occasion. I love love love listening to your sweet voice singing when you don't know anyone is listening.

Harris Bug, I love you. I love your hugs and kisses. I love your questions. I love your smiles, and I even love your pouts. I love your sweet hands and your big belly. I love your dances and your songs. I love your laughs. I love your enthusiasm for life and people. I love your love for your family and friends. I love you and I love that God gave you to me. Thank you for all of that love!
Happy Birthday, Harris. I hope you had a great day and the best birthday you could have ever wished for.

Bend It Like Jackson

Jackson has started soccer. Not the little kid, micro soccer program, but the real deal: the Monday-Wednesday-Saturday soccer. Papa and I even had to take him to Dick's for shin guards, cleats, soccer shorts, soccer socks, and a real soccer ball before he could start. I so was not ready for the big kid version, but he is loving every minute of it... makes it so worth it! (He's in the blue shirt in the above picture!) It is amazing what they do with the kids. There is a "soccer school" that comes out to teach the kids every Monday, and they are combined with all of the kids in the league, rather than splitting them up in teams. The "trainers" teach them new skills and play lots of fun games with them. On Wednesday, they meet only with their team for practice. There are 5 little ones on their team, and all of them are rookies. It is a bit like the Bad News Bears, but they are all having such a great time that it doesn't matter. The games are on Saturday, and they play 3-on-3 with the coaches out on the field with them guiding what they do. There are no goalies. They don't keep score. The kids just have a great time running up and down the field, chasing the ball and each other. Jackson's team is called "The Green Machines", and he is proud of his Number 6 jersey. He loves being on the field, and he is great at dribbling the ball. No goals yet, but it is just a matter of time...
At the end of the game, they all shake hands as they learn good sportsmanship. After the first game, he wouldn't do it... he was too mad that a member of the "Bluebirds" cheated... he took the ball away from Jackson. Soon Jackson will learn that the Bluebird was only doing his job!
Jason and I are both loving watching him grow and learn on the field. He has a long way to go, but he is doing awesome for his first season.

Never Underestimate The Power of Thomas Underpants

I'm a little nervous to say this, but I think Harris is potty trained. Not a big deal for an almost-three year old, I know. BUT, he really only started on Sunday. That was two days ago! Out of nowhere, he decided (after having little to no interest in the potty) that he wanted to wear Thomas Underpants. Enough that he would give up Blues Clues and Cars diapers. He wanted Thomas.
He is obsessed with all things potty now, especially since they involve Thomas Underpants. He is constantly in the bathroom trying to go ("It won't work, Mommy!") just so he can see Thomas. I took him to the bushes no fewer than 8 times yesterday at soccer practice, just so he could see Thomas. And, he has taken to wearing them backwards, just so he can see the picture of Thomas.

So, we are nervously taking the big step of sending him to school tomorrow in Thomas Underpants. I know he will have a great day, and I know he will probably drive his teachers batty with the Thomas Underpants. But, that is a good thing. He is growing up.

Now I just need to figure out what I am going to do with all of that extra diaper money...

Life and Death

It has been over a month since I have posted, and while I am sorry I didn't take the time to document our daily happenings, I really needed the break. There was so much going on, that I really needed to focus on other things. However, I am looking forward to updating you on some of the events, both big and small...
Santa brought me a fly rod for Christmas, so I jumped on the opportunity to take my boys fishing in the canoe and to try out my new rod. Both boys loved "fishing" with their rod, and they were thrilled that they caught a fish (albeit a yellow plastic fish!) with every cast!
The mullet were jumping like crazy, and every time one would jump, Harris would insist that I steer the canoe toward it so that he could catch it!

Someone decided to put their first through my plate glass window at the shop at 2:30am one Sunday morning in January. The alarm didn't go off, and the police tried to reach me at the shop at 2:30am (hmmm... wonder why they didn't get an answer...!!), so I had no idea until an employee called me at 12:30pm the next day! Thank goodness the police has a department that boards up windows when things like this happen.
Harris just being too cute...
Jackson went to a birthday party, and on the invitation, it said "Be sure to come as your best Snow Fairy!". Hmmm... wasn't quite sure to make of that. However, a friend of Jackson's was going as a king, so Jackson dressed up as well. It was a super-fun party, and Jackson even won one of the great party games... he was thrilled!
We had a "showing" at our house for YMCA Camp Greenville. It is the camp that I worked at all through college, both during summers and often throughout the year. They have started a Mom/Dad and Me program that is for 5 & 6 year olds to go to camp with their mom or dad for three days. It is a great way to introduce them to camp and all of the fun things that go with it, so that when the time comes for them to go alone, they are comfortable with camp and have the self-confidence to go without Mom or Dad. We had several familes come to meet the director and hear what camp has to offer... I think they all left excited, and I think we have helped recruit many new Camp Greenville families.
The director, Greg McKee, has been a freind of mine for years and years (23 maybe??)... he was the director of a YMCA camp that I attended when I was young. He is amazing with kids, and he had all of them entranced as he sang camp songs... they all loved participating in his version of "The Cat Came Back". Jackson and I are signed up for this summer, and I am dying to introduce him to all things CAMP.

We have started having "Family Days" with all of our friends and their families. The first was at Jason's farm in late December, and we had another at Katharine and Bryant's land out in Megget. It was a beautiful day full of kid's 4-wheeler rides, marsh exploration, hot dogs and s'mores.

That big monkey in the tree is Jason. We had such a great time with everyone... I love family days and the rare chance to spend time with all of the families.
Jackson is trying to be funny... he loves putting his pants on backwards now, and I have often caught him with them on backwards at the store or at the park.
Nana knit hats for all of us, and Harris loves his (not that we all don't... he just like to wear his all the time!).
Flat Stanley came for a visit with Nana and Papa T, so we were sure to show him all around beautiful Charleston.

Unfortunately, this past week has brought two sad passings. Nana's dog (and one of Harris' best friends) Mavis disappeared early last week. After Nana put up fliers looking for her, she was contacted by a neighbor saying they had found Mavis' body on Friday. No idea what happened. We are so sad. Mavis was one of the funniest and most loyal dogs ever, and she was such a loved member of the family. May-May will be missed, especially by Harris.Shortly before Mavis went missing, poor Lucky started going down hill. I took him to the vet last Monday, and what they initially thought was renal failure was actually a brain tumor or some sort of neurological trauma. He had lost the ability blink one of his eyes, to lap or to eat, so he was slowly starving and thirsting to death. The staff at the animal hospital was amazing, and after four days of trying to bring him around, it was obvious it was time to let him go. I was with him when he went, and as hard as it was, I was glad to have been there for him.
Lucky was a crazy cat, having gone through at least twenty lives. He survived many things he shouldn't have, so we appreciated the time we had with him. So sad to have him gone, though. Good-bye, Lucky Cat... we love you, and we will greatly miss you and all of your crazy ways.

Promise

I'm coming back to blog... soon. I just needed a little break. Don't give up on me yet...

For Nana

I hope these help...

Harris

I was glancing through my blog and realized that I haven't posted much about Harris lately (yes, I know that I haven't blogged much lately in general... I'm just talking about the ones I have posted!). So, here's a little update:

Harris:

* calls the grocery store "My Teeter" instead of "Harris Teeter". He told his teachers that he lived in the cookie aisle at "My Teeter".

* loves Mack Truck and Speed, although, sadly, he has started to correct us... "Speed" is now becoming "Lightening MCQueen". * is a 4-wheeling maniac. He can drive the new 4-wheeler like you wouldn't believe. He loves to play Follow the Leader with Daddy on the big 4-wheeler and him on the small one. He also loves to ride with Jackson riding behind him!

* loves to sing. I often hear him singing to himself as he plays with his cars or trains. His favorite right now? Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. Of course. * is trying oh-so-hard to stop wearing his cute little outfits. He usually protests (unless there is an airplane or a truck on it) and wants to wear "pants and a t-shirt".

* is not quite interested in using the potty yet. He'll use it occasionally, but he'd rather not bother. Jackson is dying to get Harris a "potty train" for when he finally goes... I think more because Jackson wants a new train than becasue he wants Harris to have it! * is quite a talker... much more than Jackson ever was. We don't completely understand him yet, but he is getting better and better almost daily it seems. Sometimes he gets going so fast that we lose him completely!
* goes and goes and goes and goes... nonstop. The only quiet time of my day is when he is at school or when he is asleep.

* loves music at school. I heard he had a crush on Miss Jodie, the music teacher! * loves his grandparents. He is always asking where they are and what they are doing.

* talks about Papa's Waterhouse everytime we pass the marina (twice daily!). We often go there for lunch, just for a change of scenery, and he never wants to leave.
* loves a canoe ride! He'll take his fishing pole (that has a fish attached), cast and reel it in, so proud of his catch.
* still loves giving hugs and kisses. He will come up to me out of the blue for a huge squeeze (he's a great hugger!) and kiss. He also will take my face in his hands and study it for a few moments, like he is memorizing my features, before he plants a big one on my cheek!
* is starting to get into art. It doesn't entertain him as much or for as long as Jackson, but he is enjoying our projects more and more.
* is just so super-cute. I love listening to him laugh when we tickle him, I love his sweet singing voice, and I love to just hold him tight when I can get my hands on him.

Welcome

Welcome to the world

Ann Ballard!

9 January 2008

1:11 pm

7lbs 5oz

Congratulations, Steve and Tyler!

We can't wait to meet your new little blessing!

Love,

Amanda, Jason, Jackson & Harris

Christmas 2007

Not having family in town, our Christmas' get spread out over several days, and we get to celebrate numerous times! For the actual day of Christmas, Nana and Papa T were here to share it all with us. After a family chruch service and a reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" at Betsy's house, we headed home, excited but exhausted. Of course we were ready for Santa to come, too! Jackson got us up a little before 7am to tell us that Santa had come to his house. I'm not sure that he really GOT the idea in the past that Santa actually came into our house to leave presents, but this year, it was crystal clear. He was so excited to see what Santa had brought!
It was a huge rush to get down the stairs, and both boys were thrilled by what they found. Stockings are a big deal at my house, and the boys loved them as much as we did!

This was, by far, the biggest hit at my house. The boys spent hours riding in the backyard on Christmas day. Jason took out his big 4-wheeler, and they played "Follow the Leader" around the house.



We had a huge, amazing dinner that night of turkey, roast, stuffing, cranberry risotto, asparagus, and green bean casserole. It wasn't long afterward that we fell, exhausetd, into bed!

Papa and Lois showed up the day after Christmas, so we celebrated again!

Our final celebration was in Florence with Aunt Amy, Uncle Scott, Lindsey, Kaila, Connor, Ganny and Gandaddy.
Lindsey and Kaila got a chocolate fountain for Christmas, so we got a chance to try it out. Harris and Jackson were amazed by it, and they both loved dipping their pound cake and bananas in the warm chocolate!

On our way home from Florence, we stopped in Santee for BBQ. Jason wanted to take us for "the real deal", so we ended up at Lone Satr BBQ. He hunted with the owner this fall and was excited to show us the old building and the yummy food...
Harris enjoyed the banana pudding!
Our final Chirstmas was with my friend, Betty. The boys were thrilled to see her, and even more thrilled that she came bearing gifts!
What a great Christmas we had! It was an amazing time with family and friends, and I so loved sharing the magic with my boys.

The Holiday Season

I know that I was a bad blogger in December... we had so much going on that I was too busy enjoying the season to blog (not to mention, I was worn out!)! Here is just a bit of what we were up to...Our supper club Christmas party

A visit from Nana

Shopping for birthday party goodies

The boys' first snow experience at the Holiday Festival at Piggly Wiggly!

Jackson's first snowball

Celebrating a 5th birthday
The Little School Christmas pageant
Harris was the cutes sheep out there! Jackson was in the choir and was up front the whole time. Unfortunately, we didn't see him at all during the pageant.
Jackson's class Christmas party was on his birthday, so it was like he had one long birthday party! I was one of the party moms, so I got to be there for it... we decorated cookies, made ornaments, listened to Christmas stories, and munched on the yummy cookies we had decorated! Jackson was the happiest kid there... it was his birthday, the other kids were all wishing him happy birthday, he got to decorate and eat cookies, AND his mom was there for it all! What could be better for a five year old???
We had our annual B.U.G.S. children Christmas party. We made and decorated cookies, ate a yummy picnic lunch, exchanged ornaments, and played our hearts out!
We had such a great time during the month of December. All of these fun events and days with friends and family definitely helped us to define for our children what Chirstmas is about.

Tree Adventure

We had the highest hopes for our Chirstmas tree this year. We decided to head out to Toogoodoo Farms to look for a tree. While we knew we probably wouldn't cut our own (Jason wanted to look at their precut Frazier Firs), we thought it would be fun to experience the whole tree farm scene.

The boys loved checking out all that the farm had to offer: this fun little airplane, a train ride through the farm, a talking Christmas tree, and a petting zoo.

Nana was in town and got to experience all of the fun with us, and I know the boys were thrilled to have her with them on this fun day.

We weren't thrilled with the selection of trees there, so we headed back into town to try a lot a friend recommended.
While we were there, I spotted the coolest, fattest tree I had ever seen. It wasn't Jason's frazier fir, but it was a great tree. I thought it would be fun to do something different, and it didn't take long to talk Jason into it.
Well, four tree stands later, we decided it wasn't so cool... it was too big and heavy for a normal stand to contain. Jason (cursing under his breath) sent me to Lowes to find another tree stand or another (smaller) tree!
I found a heavy-duty stand, we got back in the holiday spirit, and we started decorating.

Nana even played Christmas carols to make the day even more cheery!

Unfortunately, it didn't last long. The tree went over. Water everywhere, ornaments smashed, and Jason again cursing under his breath. However, it was nothing that a little heavy duty picture hanging wire and more Christmas cheer couldn't overcome... we bolted our tree to the wall.
It really was a great tree, no matter what Jason tells you. I loved it. It was a memorable tree, and one that we will (someday) laugh about.

Jackson's 5th Birthday Party

I think Jackson had the best time ever at his fifth birthday party. He had been talking about it for weeks... he dictated what the invitations would look like, he decorated the invitations and the envelopes himself, he picked his favorite meal for lunch... he knew exactly what he wanted! When the big day came, he was definitely not disappointed!He was super-excited to get home from school and see this "Clemson Tiger" jump castle set up in his back yard.

Shortly after he got home, all of his friends started to arrive. He was so giddy that all of his friends from school were showing up at his house... when someone would arrive, he would run out to greet them, come running back to tell me who was here, then ask me who was coming next!
We had a great picnic pizza lunch.

Then on to the cake!

Look how excited he is about his Lightening McQueen cake! I think his friends are just as excited...
A group of the boys headed up to the clubhouse to eat their cake and ice cream... it was too cute to see them all up there.
Finally, the pinata
It was such a great afternoon... I'm not sure that I have ever seen Jackson that excited or happy. Thanks to all for celebrating with us and making his 5th birthday one of the best of his life!

Happy Birthday, Lindsey!

Lovely

Interesting

Nice

Darling

Sweet

Energetic

You are 12 today!!

Happy birthday!
We love you,
Amanda, Jason, Jackson & Harris

Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas to all,
and to all a good night!
God bless!

Smarty Pants

Daddy to Jackson: "Ok, Mr. Five-Year Old, let's go brush your teeth."

Jackson to Daddy after brushing his teeth: "Ok, Mr. Thirty-Three Year Old, let's go get my PJ's on."

Happy 5th Birthday, Jackson!

January

Oh, Jackson, I can't believe my baby is five years old. Five years ago tonight, I had no idea what was in store for me. All I knew was that I was holding in my arms one of the best Christmas presents that I would ever receive.

February

This year has been an incredible year for you, one full of new experiences, new people, and new challenges. You flew on an airplane. You spent a weekend on Papa's Waterhouse. You started school with a new class full of new friends and new teachers. You spent lots of weekends in lots new places. Each challenge was met head on, and you walked away excited about what you had experienced. Daddy and I have been so proud of all that you have accomplished. March

I really can't believe you are five. I can't believe my baby can read and spell and ride a bike and play soccer. I can't believe that you tell me thing like how far away California is or that llama starts with the letter L or which artist you modeled your Wee Little Arts painting after. Jeez, I think you are smarter than me some days. April

You still remind me daily, in your own special way, that you are still my baby. You love to be snuggled still, and you ask Daddy and me for "sammich kisses" all the time. You still want your boo boos kissed, and you like to hold my hand while we walk together. You still love for us to sing to you before bed, and occasionally, you still want me to carry you when we are out. You still want us to blow on your food when it is hot, you still want me to flush any spiders or flies that you find, you still want us to brush your teeth, you still let me pick out your clothes, and you still love to sit in my lap. May

However, the days of sippy cups are long gone. So are the days of riding in the shopping cart (you insist on hanging on to the front of the cart while I push!). I am not allowed to buckle your carseat anymore, and I think you would love to get rid of your big carseat in exchange for the booster. You will not accept help in picking out show-and-tell items any more, and you know that if it is L Week at school, you must take in something that starts with L. June

You are extremely creative. You have written us storybooks, fully illustrated and taped together. You love your art class and love to tell us what you have learned. Your big thing right now is to draw cars... millions of them everywhere. You are also telling us about self-portraits, that our eyes are cirlces, that our noses are triangles, and that our mouths are moons. Your artistic side must come from your Daddy's family, as I don't have an artistic bone in my body. I love seeing your artwork and getting a special glimpse of the world through your eyes. July

You love to bake and cook, and I can claim that from my side. You are always suggesting baking something for someone... a poundcake for Miss Louise who broke her elbow or cookies for Miss Nancy down the street. I do think you have a soft spot for the women in your life, but I also think you are wanting a taste of the finished product for yourself! I love baking with you and watching you, ever so slyly, trying to sneak a taste. One of my favorite times was making cookies for the cookie swap... you would "accidently" spill chocolate chips on the counter so you could eat them instead of putting them into the batter! August

You absolutely love school. Love it, and I am so pleased that is the case. I hope this love of learning that you have lasts for your lifetime... there are so many exciting things for you to learn. you have taken an interest in all things letters and numbers. You are excited to tell us about the states, and I hope one day you will have a chance to visit all of the cool places you are learning about. I absolutely love hearing about the world through your words. September

I think that you are really appreciating having Harris as your brother. Yes, there are plenty of times that he takes your stuff (and plenty of times you take his!), but you play so well together, and I love hearing you two pretend together. He watches and imitates all that you do, wanting to be big like you. It cracks me up that you know how to push his buttons, but it won't be long before he is pushing yours. You are constantly talking about your sister Sally who is coming in two years, and I think you have suprised many people when you say she is coming (she is not...). Daddy and I just liesten and nod our heads... you seem to know something that we do not! October

You really love your friends and talk about them so much. Although you acted shy today, I think you loved it when they all sang Happy Birthday! All of the girls at school seem to love you, too, as they always seem to greet you with big hugs and are dragging you with them to play.

November

I still can't believe you are a whole hand old. Five years. Where did the time go? You hear it all the time when you are young to appreciate every day because it goes so fast, but I really don't think you really get it until you are a parent. Next year you will be in kindergarten... the real deal. Unbelievable. It blows my mind to think what the next five years have in store for us and how much you will have grown by then... I pray that both you and I can appreciate our days together now.

December

What a year, Jackson. I am more and more proud every day that God chose me for you, that He gave me such an incredible child. I feel incredibly loved with every hug or smile you give me. I can't say that I was ever really prepared for what motherhood would offer me, but wow... it is the hardest but the best thing I have ever done. You are my lesson in love. You are my treasure. You are my blessing. You are my heart. "You are my I love you".

I love you 'til my heart is about to burst, Jackson. I hope you had the best birthday ever today... you deserve all the very best.

Thanksgiving

Yes, I am super-far behind on blogging, and I am sorry. I have so many projects and other things going on right now that I have put blogging on the back burner. However, I do have some pictures of the cutest little boys, and I really want to share them...

We spent Thanksgiving in Florence with Granny and Grandaddy, and we had such a nice holiday with family. We actually spent Thanksgiving lunch out in Oates, which is where "Ganny's farm" is... Ganny's Ma and Pa live in Oates and have a large farm there.

We first took advantage of the Ganny and Gandaddy's huge backyard for some sweet little boy pictures.

We then headed out to the farm for lunch. They grow lots of cotton out there, so we stopped so I could grab a cotton plant for Jackson... he was excited to learn that cotton comes from a plant and that his sweater was amde from that cotton.
After a huge, yummy lunch, we headed out to play on all of the fun stuff a farm has to offer! A favorite was definitely these huge hay bales.
Harris was thrilled by all things drivable.
It was a struggle to get Harris out of the tractor... I think he might become a farmer!

After our day at the farm, we headed to Aunt Amy and Uncle Scott's house for a laid-back Thanksgiving dinner... it was nice to relax and spend time with all of the kids.

We had a great time with family, and we send out a big thank you to Ganny and Gandaddy for everything, especially taking care of us when the tummy bug hit. We are so thankful to have had the time with you!

Tigers

I have had this post half-finished for a month now, so I guess it is probably time to finish it!

In November, our great friends, the Eglestons, the Halfords, the Collins, and Jason and I traveled back to Clemson for the Clemson/Boston College game. Nancy, Rossi, Aileen, Jason and I were all at school there at the same time, yet we never crossed paths. Aileen and Rossi even lived almost next door to me, and we never met. So strange! It was fun, though, to share Clemson stories and to laugh about our similar experiences.

It had been since 2000 that I had been to Clemson, so I was super-excited to see everything again and to see what had changed. There were lots of new buildings and new businesses, but I was happy that the feel of Clemson on game day hadn't changed a bit.

A trip to the bookstore equipped us for the chilly night to come!

Jason on Bowman field, a favorite place to play, catch some rays, and sled on cafeteria trays on rare snowy evenings.