Kiawah 2009

This weekend we went to Kiawah Island. Michael was running the full marathon while Mary Beth, Jessica and Kenny were running the half marathon. This was Mary Beth's first half! Michael acquired a sprained ankle on Thanksgiving day so he was not quite up to par. He was determined to run though. I guess it's true that "you can't keep a good man down"! His finishing time was not what he would have liked it to be but he did cross the finish line which is a remarkable thing on it's own! Tim, Christi, Owen, Hunter, Kevin, Jackson and Maizeigh went along as the support crew and cheerleaders.

Yep, it was really cold Saturday morning! In the low 40's! But we are a dedicated crew!

Kenny, Jessica and Hunter before the race. Hunter ran the last four miles with Jessica!

Michael and Mary Beth at the staring line. Aren't they cute?? Can you believe she ran the whole way?! She even ran the first two miles WITH Michael!!

Owen was tired of waiting for them to finish so he took a little nap in his stroller all bundled up!

Maizeigh was such a good cheerleader!! This was our spot at about mile 9. Check out Hunter in the stroller! I think he was really cold!

Everyone but me, of course! Hey, somebody had to take the picture!

We celebrated Michael's birthday by going out to eat at Jasmine Porch, a restaurant in The Sanctuary on the island. The food was remarkable, the atmosphere was incredable and the company was, without question, amazing!

Great job runners! Y'all rock!!

Who's gonna run next year?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!!

Even though this picture was taken over 50 years ago,

he's still just as cute!!

Today is Michael's birthday.

How truly blessed I am to have this wonderful man in my life.

I love you, Michael, more than words could ever say!

You are my love, my life, my ironman and my hero!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Big Win!! Go Cocks!

Saturday, November 28, Kevin, Mary Beth, Joe, Chelsea, Michael and I went to the Carolina - Clemson game. It was FAB-U-LOUS!!! I guess I don't have to tell you that WE WON!! Scoreboards don't lie!! Tim wanted to go but we wouldn't let him because he's a traitor (aka a Clemson fan)! Now I wish we would have taken him!! Just kidding Tim. I would never rub it in that

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

BEAT

Clemson!!

GO GAMECOCKS!!

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving this year was wonderful. I'll give you a little run down of our weekend. It started off great by Joe and Chelsea coming home Wednesday night for a long weekend. Thursday morning Michael and Mary Beth went into Columbia to run the Boys and Girls Club Turkey Trot. Mary Beth pushed both Maizeigh and Jackson in the double baby jogger. You go girl! And Michael promptly sprained his ankle! Yeah, that's gonna make for a good holiday! Joe and Kevin played a little football at the high school. Then we had a most abundant lunch!

I know looking at this picture you think we are all playing a big game of poker! Ha, Ha! See the jar Kenny is holding? Well, Michael has had that in his office for quite a few years. It was nearly full to the top with coins. We decided we wanted to help the kids to understand that even saving your pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters (along with a few transit tokens, Romanian and Canadian coins and fun park tokens) can add up!

Friday Chelsea, Mary Beth and I decorated the house for Christmas. Thanks girls! Friday night Joe, Chelsea, Michael and I went to a USC basketball game. We won so that was great too!

It was a marvelous holiday and I am eternally grateful for my entire family. Thank you for making me a better person. I am grateful that you all love me even with all of my many shortcomings.

When I count my blessings, I count each of you twice!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Sleigh Bell Trot

Tuesday night, November 24, The Fam went to Saluda Shoals Park for the annual Sleigh Bell Trot. It's a 5K run/walk to see all the Christmas lights displayed in the park. We have made it a tradition to do this to mark the beginning of the holiday season! We enjoyed the lights then hit Ci Ci's pizza! I wish I would have gotten a picture of everyone but it happened to be a fine mist of rain that night that continued the entire race so I kept avoiding taking out my camera. Big Daddy, who placed 3rd in his age group, Jessica, Hunter and Peyton all ran the race. Hunter's skinny long legs brought him across the finish line in under 30 minutes! You rock, dude! Poor little Hagin was sick so Kenny had to stay home with him. We made sure to send them a pizza! The rest of the gang pictured below had a great walk. Thanks for being my buddy on the walk Olivia!

Another Awesome Birthday!

November is just full of celebrating. Chelsea's birthday was November 21. Chelsea joining our family nearly three years ago finally made our little family complete! We are so grateful for her and the lovely woman that she is. Not only is she beautiful but she is athletic and funny to boot!

We sure do love you, Chelsea!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Happy Birthday and Anniversary!!

November 20 was Jessica's birthday and November 21 was Kenny and Jessica's 11th anniversary! We are grateful that we raised such an intelligent son so that he could have the good sense to choose such a fabulous wife!! Jessica works so hard as a nurse and then comes home and makes THE most awesome cakes you have ever seen or tasted!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSICA!

We Love you tons!

AND

Happy Anniversary!