Happy Birthday Tim

Saturday, November 12 was Tim's birthday. Tim is a great son-in-law! He's always willing to help us in any way and usually the first to volunteer! I remember the first time Kevin mentioned that Christi should "check out" Tim Mayo! Little did we know where that would lead.

We love you Tim and are so very glad you came into our family! (Even though you are somewhat of a Clemson fan!!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Hardware Removal

Yesterday, Thursday November 10, Michael had surgery to have the plate and screws removed that were placed in his shoulder after his bike accident in October 2010. Surgery went great and his bone should be even stronger than before the accident in a few months. As we headed out of the house on our way to the hospital we were thrilled to see signs in the yard made by Kenny, Jessica, Hunter, Peyton, Hagin and Olivia. How sweet that was and how special it made Big Daddy feel!

Hagin wrote "Don't cry" on the sign. Big Daddy said he didn't cry at the hospital but when he read that sign he did tear up!

Michael's hardware

I'm sure by next week he'll be itching to run "just a few easy miles"!! I might just let him!

Ironman Florida 2011

IRONMAN - 2.4 mile ocean swim, 112 mile bike ride, followed by a 26.2 mile run. A whopping total of 140.6 miles in one day = CRAZINESS!!

Michael had signed up for the Ironman Florida 2010 but had a bike accident 3 weeks prior to the event. We went down to Panama City Beach Florida anyway to cheer for Mike Nininger. Michael decided to go ahead and sign up for 2011 even though he was fresh out of surgery. It has been one heck of a year! Getting Michael through surgery and recuperation was a challenge but he came through with flying colors! Wednesday November 2 we headed out to Florida. Kevin, Mary Beth and the kids were following close behind. We all stopped in Eufaula, Alabama for supper at the Waffle House. We arrived in Panama City Beach about 9:30pm. Tim, Christi and their kids got to PCB around midnight. Kenny's family had car trouble so they weren't able to leave home until Friday morning. Thursday was spent checking out the expo, checking Michael in and shopping around the Pier Park while Michael got a pre-race massage. Kenny, Jessica and their kids arrived in the afternoon. Friday was the day to get Michael's gear together. He packed his special needs bags and check them in. I didn't take alot of pictures because I knew Christi and Tim would take several hundred!

Me and my man

Owen wore this swim cap nearly the entire time

The kids had a blast making signs for Big Daddy

One window of our condo overlooked the swim start

Another window overlooked the transition area

Even Norah had a Team shirt!

Saturday we were up before 6am. The Team was literally on the road from the moment Michael exited the swim until just after his finish. We didn't get on each others nerves too badly and the kids were awesome. They really were troopers. They did whatever we asked of them without whining! I have to say it was a day of miracles. We had so many prayers answered.

We had to let the kids play a little during our grueling 14 hour long day of hunting down Big Daddy

The Team was definitely easy to see spread out along the side of the road. Not to mention we are quite loud!! I am so amazed at the love and support my children give to our family. I love that they are teaching their children the same thing. Not only by words but by their unselfish example. What a sacrifice it was to go all the way to Panama City, take vacation days from work, take children out of school, drive all the way down and back only to spend an entire day cheering for Big Daddy! Amazing!!

My Ironman! Michael set a new PR coming in at 12:58. How awesome is that?! I truly love this man more than I could ever express. He is my love, my life and my inspiration. I am so proud of his accomplishments. He will always be my ironman!

Norah loves her Big Daddy!

Big Daddy always keeps a jar of Dum-Dum suckers on his desk at work. All the kids know that they can get one when they come to visit. Norah got her first sucker from Big Daddy last week. She's in love!!

I think she like it!

Halloween 2011

Monday afternoon Christi, Owen and Emma came over and I went trick or treating with them. We walked the neighborhood and had fun. The kids (including Christi!) didn't like the scary things people put in their yards. Owen and Emma were so sweet. They always said "Trick or treat" and thank you. Emma really liked it when someone had a dog! She would forget about the candy (for a minute) and want to pet the dog!

Handsome Pirate

Trick or treating to Big Daddy

The Loot!

Of course, Maggie was not here for Halloween but I just had to include this absolutely adorable picture of her in her costume. Have you ever seen anything so sweet?!

Junior Gamecock Club Boo at the Zoo

Thursday October 27 we all went to the Junior Gamecock Club Halloween party. Previous years it has been at Frankie's Fun Park but this year it was changed to Boo at the Zoo. We still had hotdogs, baked beans, chips and cookies. The kids really liked being at the zoo. They got to see the animals, got lots of candy and treats, rode the carousel and climbed the rock wall. It was a great night!

Bragging Rights

Sunday October 16 was Lexington Ward's Children's Sacrament Meeting Program and Sunday October 23 was Gilbert Ward's Program. It was amazing to have eight grandchildren participating, four in Lexington and four in Gilbert. They all recited their parts perfectly and sang beautifully! I remember very well their parents participating in their own programs, about twenty to thirty years ago. I always look forward to this time of year just for this one Sacrament program. The spirit is always so strong and this year I was not disappointed! I am so very blessed to have such wonderful grandchildren being raised by wonderful parents!

Hunter, Peyton, Hagin, Olivia, Jackson, Owen and Emma (Maizeight refused to get in the picture!)