Thanksgiving

Papa T and Harris snuggled before naptime.
Jackson and Dean played many, many games of Candyland.
Dad brought OSU hats for all of the boys on the eve of the big OSU/U of M football game.
The boys loved playing on the computer together.
Dean
Playing some beautiful dinner music!
Harris chows down.
Checking the turkey...
Trouble.

It is a week after Thanksgiving, and I have just now recovered! We had a house full of family: Mom and Terry, Dad and Lois, and a suprise guest -- my 5 year-old nephew, Dean. We had no idea that Dean was joining us until he walked through the door... what a great T-day treat!!

Jackson loved having Dean with us... he followed him everywhere, did what he did, said what he said. We loved seeing Jackson so excited and animated!

Of course, we ate too much. We had both fried and roasted turkeys, sweet potato souffle, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, stuffing, apple pie, sweet potato pie, poundcake, and a chocolate pecan pie. Yum... my tummy hurts just thinking about it. It was a wonderful meal with wonderful family, all of whom I am so thankful for.

Baking...

Apple pie...
and chocolate chip cookies! We also made chocolate pecan pie, sweet potato pie and pound cake with caramel icing... mmmmm.

Sad News

So sad... poor Greg Wiggle!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061130/tv_nm/australia_entertainment_wiggles_dc

Jackson Says...

"Mommy, I'm lovin' you!!"

I'm lovin' you too, Little Man!

Fashion

Just showing off Harris' fashion sense!

Bathing Beauties

We caught these pictures as we were bathing the boys the other night... they were too cute not to share!

Country Livin'

On Saturday, Jason and I headed to the country for supper club... it was a fantastic evening of skeet shooting, BBQ and great friends, hosted by Katharine, Bryant and Amy. It was at a beautiful location... the future home of Bryant and Katharine, amongst beautiful trees and on the marsh, just outside of Charleston.
Jason and Stephen take aim. They were both great shots! Caroline, Aileen and Nancy enjoying the last of the warm fall sun.
It was my first time shooting skeet (really, I have only shot a shotgun once before!), and it was quite a lesson. Jason was a good teacher (as were Stephen, DuBose and Katharine), although I don't think I shot a thing! I definitely would like to try again, but maybe first with a non-moving target!!
Katharine was amazing... I think she shot everything that she aimed at! I was so impressed.

It was such a beautiful evening. The weather was in the 60's while we were shooting, but it quickly cooled off after the sun went down. Not to fear, though, as there was a huge bonfire waiting for us along with the yummy BBQ, collards, and macaroni and cheese!

It was a great evening out with friends... we both really enjoyed sitting around the campfire, eating smores, and laughing with good friends. Thanks to the wonderful hosts for such a great party!!

Trouble

I got fussed at today by Caroline and Nancy for not updating my blog in over a week... sorry. Not sure why, but I have been kind of anti-computer for the past week... working on other things, I guess.

So, here are a few of pictures of the boys. I promise I will try to get myself back on the blogging ball soon!!
The boys eating their favorite - kettle corn - at the Farmer's Market a few Saturdays ago.
Jumpin' at the Farmer's Market.
Papa's waterhouse for dinner... love the hat and slippers!

Chek Out What He Is Doing Now...

This man is amazing (and maybe a little crazy...)!! I wonder how long it will take?
http://enduranceis.typepad.com/endurance_is/

This is his account of the Kiawah Marathon. I had no marathon intentions until I started reading his blog...
http://enduranceis.typepad.com/endurance_is/2006/10/30/index.html

3rd Annual Lobster Party

Saturday was the big night... about 50 people came out to eat lobsters and support The Little School! It was a chilly night, but armed with two big fire pits, we braved the cold and ate big. Along with the lobster, we had corn on the cob, red rice, green beans, bread, and lots of yummy appetizers and desserts. We were set with awesome lobster bibs that Caroline F. donated (thank you so much! Where on earth did you get those, Caroline?? They were perfect!).

We had such a great time... thank you to everyone who came out and bought lobsters. Mark your calendar for the first Saturday in November 2007... we will be out there again!

Katharine, Amy, and Jody enjoy their lobsters as Sue make sure that Amy's lobster bib is attached securely!

Mom and Terry came (standing with neighbors Darla and Kathleen) for the party... they were such a huge help in setting up, arranging, and cooking!
Chris and Tracey warm up by the fire.
DuBose, Nancy, Aileen, Melinda, and Kathryn belly up to the lobster table (really, an oyster table in disguise!) for dinner. Aileen and Spencer used these tables for their big oyster roasts, and they were perfect for eating lobsters.

Dorothy and I took a break from our hosting duties for a quick pic. After a busy day of distributing lobsters and figuring out red rice issuses, we were ready for a party and some yummy crustaceans!
Jason and Gregg are the best lobster chefs! Thanks for doing such a great job!

James Island Connector Run

On Saturday, I completed a goal I have had for 7 years... to run the James Island Connector 10K. Up until this year, I was never in the shape I needed to be in to finish it. I have heard that it is the "Runner's Bridge Run", harder than the Cooper River Bridge Run, and I have to agree whole-heartedly. There are 6 hills rather than the one (used to be two) of the Cooper River, and while they aren't as steep, they are tough.

DuBose and got to the starting line about 30 minutes early, and we nearly froze to death. At 8:00am when the race started, it was 40 degrees with a windchill of 32. Brrrr. Once we started running, I completely forgot how cold I was as I started to ascend the first hill. The first leg of the race went from Roper Hospital to Folly Road, and the second leg was from Folly Road back to Roper. The first leg, there was a great tailwind. However, as soon as we made the turnaround, that tailwind became a 14mph headwind, with gusts up to 29mph. There were times that the wind was gusting as I ran up a hill, and I wondered if I was really moving forward and not backward. During those times, all I could do was put my head down, dig in, and keep moving my feet, knowing that I was not about to quit. At the top of the last hill, I realized that my legs and butt were numb from the wind!

The views were amazing. It was a beautiful sunny day, it was high tide, there were tons of sailboats moored in the harbor. I think it is quite possible that the best views of the Charleston Harbor are from the top of the Connector.

It was a struggle, but I made it. I was utterly exhausted, but I was proud of myself for finishing. I had set a goal of under an hour, but I did it in 60 minutes and 28 seconds... that's ok... I finished, I ran the whole thing, and it was a 9:44 pace, much faster than my 11:35 pace of the Cooper River Race. Not bad. While it was super-tough, it was amazing... I am looking forward to doing it again next year. Under one hour.

Tagged

I have been tagged by Nancy to answer some questions on my blog (be sure to check out her answers!). They are great sentence starters, and I have had a hard time answering some of them. But, they have really gotten me to think about things...

I am: a granddaughter, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, a wife, a mother, a godmother, a friend, and a runner.
I want: a happy and healthy life for my family.
I have: a husband who is an amazing daddy.
I wish: I was more artistic.
I hate: the thought of ever disappointing anyone.
I miss: living near my family.
I hear: the hum of the computer.
I wonder: what life would have been like had I gone to medical school.
I regret: not keeping up with friends from high school and college better.
I am not: a perfect mother, but I try my best.
I dance: when I am alone or with my children.
I sing: loudly when I run.
I cry: when I am frustrated.
I am not always: very organized.
I make with my hands: dinner.
I write: grocery lists.
I confuse: needs and wants.
I need: a massage right now.
I should: organize my life better.
I start: projects that I don't finish.
I finish: each day by checking on my sleeping boys and praying that God will protect them throught the night and through the next day.

It is now my turn to tag three other bloggers to answer these questions... I tag Caroline F., Sarah, and Aileen. Be sure to watch their blogs for their answers...

Halloween

On Halloween night, we were joined by three other families for pizza and trick-or-treating. Aileen brought this cool ice cream maker with her... we filled one side with ice and salt and the other side with the ice cream ingredients. Then, the kids rolled the ball back and forth, and while they did so, they made ice cream!
Things started to get a little loud, so we sent the big boys out to the porch with the daddies. Luckily there were enough ride-on toys to suit!! The Smiths joined us briefly, and the boys were thrilled to have Fordham there to play, too.
My beautiful princess goddaughter, Anne. She was the lucky one who got to stay home with the mommies while the daddies took the big kids trick-or-treating!
Jackson checking out his loot.
Spencer and Eliza checking out their loot with Aileen.
Hope it was a great Halloween!!