Thanksgiving at Ruthie's

This year we ventured down to the low country of SC to Ridgeland for a few days. Each of our families had a cottage to stay in when the fun came to an end each night. The views are breath taking and so very relaxing. On Thanksgiving Day we enjoyed lunch at our cottage. The weather was so nice that most of us were able to enjoy our lunch on the back porch that overlooked the marsh. Drenda and Holly talked me in to my first Black Friday shopping experience. We got up at 4 AM. Drenda got some good deals. I, however, am not so sure that I am cut out for Black Friday shopping. Richard got to go crabbing. Kamdyn was spoiled with lots of her favorite people. It was a great time with family!

It's hard to come back to reality after visiting a place as quite and serene at Palm Key. Thanks for inviting us, Ruthie! We can't wait until our next visit.

Hanging out at Ruthie's our first night at Palm Key.


Smiling for the camera.


Uncle Matthew, Kamdyn, and Aunt Holly


Nanny gave Kamdyn the most awesome book with Nanny's voice reading each page. It's "The Night Before Christmas." Kamdyn loves it!


My sweetie and I in front of the gorgeous marsh view.


I love this pic!


Daddy, Kamdyn, and Alvin


Mama Lucy and Drenda


Matthew and Richard

Thanksgiving Feast at School

My baby bowing her head to pray. Precious!


The feathers on her hat tell who she is thankful for.....


She is thankful for....."Mommy, Daddy, Nanny, Pop Pop, Mama Lucy, and the animals at the zoo!" So sweet!

Thanksgiving at Aunt Kathy's and Uncle Jim's

We had a very enjoyable time at Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jim's house the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Kamdyn got an early Christmas present and much of her time was spent trying to put this 100 piece jigsaw puzzle together of a Rain Forest. She completely amazes me with these things! With my help, she got the entire puzzle put together before we left.

We loved eating dinner and spending time with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jim. We wish that we could do it more often! We love you guys!!

Aunt Kathy and Uncle Matthew


Kamdyn's new 100 piece puzzle


Kamdyn getting used to the dog. For once, she wasn't scared of her!


Kamdyn admiring her puzzle.


Kamdyn playing with the computer keyboard air cleaner! Thankfully, the button was too hard for her to push.

Last Home Game

Our last Home Game was against Virginia. It was a great win for the Tigers that sent us to the ACC Championship game against Georgia Tech. We were super excited (even though ,as I post this today, I know the result of the ACC championship game. BOO!)! Secretly, I am happy to have more time at home. Traveling so many weekends during the fall takes it toll on me!

Some of the girls at the tailgate that week.


The boys frying a turkey.


Holly and I decided to allow someone to put a Tiger paw on our faces. It was WAY too big! Oh well!


Love this pic! We don't have many of just the two of us these days!


SMILE!

Best Tailgate Ever....

The Florida State game had to be the best tailgate that any of us remember. It was such a great time and I don't remember a game when we had as many people at our tailgate ALL at once! It was a perfect day that started around 9:00AM (7AM for some) and ended around 2AM. We smoked a turkey and two pork butts. It was a long day, but the good food, great friends, perfect weather, and the Tiger win made it worthwhile!

Kamdyn made her token appearance until around noon. She had a great time, as usual, hanging out with lots of her favorite grown-ups.


Uncle Matthew and Kamdyn


Potter, Kamdyn, and Carrie


Shannon and Kamdyn


Family Photo Opt....We made Richard put on this sweater b/c he left his orange at home. Who does that? Anyway, he's not much of a sweater guy and wasn't happy about this!


Kamdyn with "the guys."


Kamdyn with "the girls."


Carrie, Holly, me


Shannon and Richard sporting their BIG belt buckles! Thanks, Potter! :(


Love me some Hollywood!


Shannon, Jason, Richard, Byron, and Potter


Shannon and Me



Potter and Carrie


This is a glimpse of ALL of the people at our tailgate right before the game started. We needed a WIDE lens to get them all in!


Holly and Carly


Carrie and I taking a very close-up self-portrait.


Our neighbor (a.k.a Ole' Boy) and his buddies tailgated with us!


Bob and Jane made a late evening appearance.


Best of all, our F-150 became a dance floor!

First Clemson Basketball Game

I'M BACK!!!....... with so much to report that it will take me until 2010 to catch up. We have been super busy. When I do get a break all I want to do is catch my breath. August to December seem to have been the fastest months of my life to date. WHEW, I hope January brings about some rest and relaxation and lots of weekends at home!!

Richard wanted to take Kamdyn to her first basketball game a few weeks ago. They were having an exhibition game and it was free to everyone. As soon as we walked in the door to Littlejohn, Kamdyn heard the Tiger roar. She looked at me with big eyes and said, "Mama, what was that?" She just knew that there was a real animal inside. I assured her that it was just a noise through the speakers attempting to scare the other team. She had a great time! It's so much fun to watch our little sweetie experience the Clemson traditions that Richard and I have always loved. That night she made it her mission to memorize the C-L-E-M-S-oooooo-N cheer. She can successfully spell it now without looking!! We hope that she grows up to be a Tiger; however, when she wants to get under our skin she teases us by saying, "Go Gamecocks!"

Watching the Tigers!


Why do you keep telling me to look at you? Don't you have enough pictures of me?


Kamdyn, Daddy, Mama Lucy


CRAZY Kamdyn!!


Kamdyn loving Mama Lucy


Finally, she agreed to play nice and smile!!

"This Taste Like......

POO!" This is the comment that I got from my sweet little Kamdyn after taking one bite of her dinner the other night. In her defense, I was having a craving for Sloppy Joe's. I know that's not the best meal in the world. Richard doesn't care for them too much either, but told me to try them with ground turkey. In our attempt to not eat as much red meat, I tried the ground turkey. One bite was enough for Kamdyn. "Mama, this tastes like POO!" I scraped the meat off and she had a bun with cheese. Richard and I enjoyed them, but I must say that I like the ground beef much better. Richard liked the ground turkey. Three VERY opinionated people all living in one house...... Ain't life grand?? :) Maybe we should stick to making 3 different meals every night.