(possibly) the last boat outing of the summer...

It is sort of sad to see the end of boating season. We have had so much fun on the

lake this summer and learned a lot in the process.

Jeff has learned ...

1. he can launch the boat without any help from us

2. he hasn't forgotten how to water ski (but he did forget how quickly you can get tired when you haven't water skied in years)

3. he's still just a kid at heart

The kids have learned...

1. how much fun tubing can be (Molly)

2. the water is a lot more fun when you wear goggles (Carson)

3. how to overcome your fears and try something new (Carson & the tube)

4. riding around in the boat is always better with a cold drink (Molly)

I have learned...

1. that I'm not very good at parking the truck/trailer in the parking lot (but got better as the summer went on)

2. that I don't really like to drive the boat but will do it so that my kids get to see their dad having so much fun

3. that a day on the lake always makes me too tired to go to the grocery store

more Clemson football...

Well, we finally managed to get a full tank of gas in both cars and decided it was safe to head to the Clemson game (rumor was that there was more gas to be had in the upstate). We were eager to try out a new tailgating spot at The Parking Spot. We backed right up to the big grassy hill at the dike. The kids (and Jeff) loved having all of the grass to run around in without having to worry about any car traffic. Jeff & Carson played football, Molly hung out with her American Girl, the kids ran up and down the big hill, and we enjoyed tailgating with family & friends.

-

Going to a Clemson game is a much longer outing now that we live in North Augusta. We left at 6:30 am and didn't get back until 7:45 pm. 5 hours in the car is A LOT different than the 2 hours we are used to but still worth it. Fortunately, as the kids get older, they last longer and longer in the games and have always been championship tailgaters.

What will we do this weekend???

We have lots of options, but the big question is...will we have enough gas to get us there? I've got a little over 1/2 a tank and Jeff has emptied the contents of the gas can into my tank. The problem is - I've got an 80 mile round-trip drive for work tomorrow (needless to say, the biggest downfall of my job). If we can find some gas some where - we are headed to the Clemson/Maryland game. Otherwise, I guess we'll just have to stay close to home. The boat has gas - maybe we will head to the lake? Molly has swimming - maybe we can carpool with friends? Maybe, just maybe - we'll simply hang out around the house? I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

To Hilton Head we go...

Have car - will travel has always been our motto. So when Granna & Gramps (aka Anne & Charlie) asked us if we wanted to meet them in Hilton Head, we said yes. We headed down friday night after Carson's soccer game. (Molly & I skipped the game so that we could get packed up). It was a little cooler than usual, so we didn't spend much time on the beach or at the pool. Fortunately for us, we were staying at a great complex that offered lots of activities in a beach front setting. Check out some of the things we did...

bike rides through the complex and on the beach!

playing shuffle board!

Family pictures before we left...

Charlie, Carson, Molly & Anne

Carson & Molly

And no trip to Hilton Head would be complete without lunch with the Bishops. They moved back to Beaufort a few years ago and we try to meet up with them when we are in the area. It was great to catch up and see how much their boys have grown!

Look Mom! No training wheels!!

I know, I know - we are a little behind in our bike riding skills, but NOW is the time. I told Molly that I would get a bike and we could take family bike rides on the Greeneway if she could learn to ride without training wheels. Never one to shy away from a challenge, she took off on her own. She's not so good at starting and stopping, but is getting better!

Winter in September?

Molly, Carson and one of our neighbors decided that it

would be fun to "take a trip to Alaska."

So, they put on all of the snow clothes they could find

and headed outside in the 92 degree heat!

All of those clothes didn't last long but the memories will live on for years!

Tailgating in Tigertown!

Molly and Carson found a couple of ways to keep cool at the Clemson vs NC State game (Sept 13, 2008). Carson played bean bag toss in the shade while Molly cooled of with a bag of ice from the cooler!

We are ready for some football!!!

Clemson vs Citadel

September 6, 2008

look who we found in the stands -
James Davis (#1) - Carson
CJ Spiller (#28) - Cole

Baking Fun!

The kids and I made rice krispie treats. Molly's were shaped like tiger paws and Carson was in charge of the big pan. As always, I think they liked eating as they baked more than they liked the finished product!

Zoo Atlanta

mapping out our trip

checking out the black rhinos

petting zoo

Sunday after brunch with Granna

& Gramps at IHOP,

we took the kids to Zoo Atlanta.

We saw the gorillas (Jeff's favorite),

snakes & lizards (Carson's favorite),

pandas (Amy & Molly's favorite)

and went to the petting zoo.

Clemson - Alabama game in Atlanta

Clemson vs Alabama is a bit of a family rivilary at our house. Jeff & I both graduated from Clemson and Jeff's brother (Greg) and his wife (Shelley) both graduated from Alabama. We invited Jeff's parents (Anne & Charlie) to meet us at the game but insisted that they MUST wear orange and cheer for Clemson if they were going to sit with us.

Fortunately for us, we have great relatives (on both sides of the family). My Aunt Bette, Uncle Jim and cousin Ben watched Molly & Carson at their home in the Atlanta area while we were at the game. Thanks again!

1st day of school

I don't know who was more excited about starting school this year - me or the kids? They were excited about seeing their friends, new teachers and even a new school for Carson. I was excited about a little quiet time to myself, running errands without the kids in tow and a cleaner house. And I am loving having both kids at the same school!

Molly started the 1st grade and Carson is offically a big-kid now that he is in 5 year old kindergarten.