Thankful.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year.  Not only is it a time for us to get together with family and eat way too much, but it also gives us a chance to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for.  This year I feel more thankful than ever. 

We started the Thanksgiving eat-a-thon celebrations at my grandparents house in Camden.  It is always a huge affair- this year we had 46 people. 

Mom forewarned us that we would be taking our annual Christmas card pictures.  There were a few additions this year!  

our ever growing familyIt appears that Watson learned something from his granddaddy  trying to get it togetherthis makes me happy! That night John and I met his mom and grandparents at Springdale for Thanksgiving dinner. 

The next morning we were up bright and early to head to the tree lot with the family to pick out our Christmas trees!  This is another one of my favorites during the holidays and it is especially fun to see Christmas through my niece and nephews eyes. They had so much fun playing through the trees and were mesmerized by the tree machine. 

A House Divided

This weekend was one I had been looking forward to for some time.  The Citadel was scheduled to play USC which meant John and I would cheer separate ways.  Some of my parents friends were throwing us a “Pre game” party too and we were so excited for the fun weekend ahead!  

Our plans changed a little when I became sick a few days before and my doctor ordered me to stay in bed.  I chose to take my chances and went to our party anyways and I’m glad I did! The party was fun and we had a great time with our family and friends!  Thank you for a wonderful party McQueeneys, Andrews and Oates! We were forced to miss the game Saturday but the Cocks once again pulled out a win!  I was a happy girl… John not so much!  I think all the bulldogs were praying for a repeat of the last time Carolina and Citadel met! 

5 years and counting…

This weekend we celebrated John’s 5th year Citadel reunion in Charleston- crazy, huh?  It’s neat to visit with him and hear him proudly explain each part of campus and to see where he spent 4 trying years of his life.  Not only was it his reunion weekend, it was also Veterans Day and our first time back since he proposed.  8 months to the day to be exact! 

We started the weekend with my first “parade” experience.  {Embarrassingly enough I must admit I asked John on the way down if there would be floats at the parade. He got a BIG laugh out of that.}We later met friends out at Wasabi for sushi and drinks! Saturday, we were up bright and early {well some of us} for the Citadel football game!  The McQueeneys were sweet enough to let us crash their tailgate and invited us to watch the game from their box too!    John opted out of marching onto the field with his class- a tradition for your 5th, 10th, 15th…you get the point. The favorite part of my day?  The peanut man!  If you’ve never seen him, you're missing out.  He caught my attention with his peanut rap.   The ‘Dogs weren’t able to pull out a win but we had a great time nonetheless.  We made our tailgating rounds and ended our night at Rue De Jean for some sushi, pasta and wine!  

We are already looking forward to John’s 10th- he has even promised to march with his class this time too!

This weekend The Citadel heads to Columbia to take on the ‘Cocks.  A house divided indeed!

House project #1

I know I am not the last person to hear of and join pinterest but I do think I am way behind on finding the obsession.  My sister told me about it a few months ago and I have to be honest, I joined but never really got into it.  Recently I have been hooked and started “pinning” away.  John usually sighs “oh gosh, you’re pinning again”.

Well, we have done nothing to our house since we bought it 4 months ago.  I have been searching for ideas on how to decorate our sun room.  I recently found an idea on pinterest for a color that I thought may work, so I sent John to the paint store {never having seen the color} and told him to buy it.  John complained the entire time but we got the room painted and I love it. {Benjamin Moore- Antique Pewter}

We have also gone 4 months without blinds on our kitchen window.  If you’ve never seen our house, our kitchen and den are really just one big open area.  A little creepy/scary at night to hang out in with no blinds, so Mr. handyman himself fixed that too!  This house is definitely a work in progress but I am getting way too impatient.  More to come on the finished product!:)

Lately.

Life has been crazy.  I finally forced myself to slow down long enough to upload pictures on my computer and update my blog... well, two attempts, two dead camera batteries later and third times a charm (thanks to my sister for the extra canon batteries, I didn't have to throw my camera across the room!). 
SO, lately we have...

Celebrated our future brother and sister in law's engagement ...  future sister and mother in law!

{I stole this from Addie- I of course forgot my camera}

and the after party at the bar of Jennifer and John’s!

Indulged in way too much lots of chili and beer in honor of the {VERY} soon-to-be Kubas'!

Helped Mom/Grandmama celebrate the big 3-0 at Rosso{ joking, but she does look that young!}

and ventured to the beach to celebrate Adrienne's last shindig as a single lady!  
I don't anticipate life {as we know it} slowing down anytime soon.  I am coming to terms with that.  I was on the phone with my mom earlier and she asked what we were doing.  I told her I was packing for our trip to the mountains this weekend.  Her response "Y'all are the most going{est} people ever".  (I don't think that’s a word but I'm going with it.)  True.  Guilty as charged.
So tonight I'm packing, enjoying some Pinot Noir and preparing myself for the chilly freezing cold weather this weekend. John just informed me the high is only 60, but I am going fully prepared!!