When I worked at Prentice Hall, I not only sold College Text books, I was also a Regional Trainer. One of my colleagues happens to live in Spartanburg, about 15 minutes from my house. After almost 5 years of living in the same town, Ashley and I were able to meet for lunch.
We have made a promise to each other, to get together at least every couple of months!
Our dear sweet Anna stopped by last Wednesday to say goodbye to us before she headed back to Marquette. We will miss her so much! She will not be home until summer which is simply too long. I took a couple of photos of her with the kids.
Mitchell and Anna.
Anna and Vinny.
Mitchell made it home safely from Disney World Monday night. I did not take any photos with the camera. Now that they are in high school they were not required to stay with an adult chaperon so that means no one to take photos. He took a few with his phone which I hope turned out. Keep your fingers crossed.
Vinny got a fun game for Christmas for the Wii called Mario Kart. One night during the Christmas break, Vinny had a friend over and Mitchell had a friend over. Together, they played a little Mario Kart while Patrick watched. It is so much fun, even though it can also be very frustrating. I am getting better with each game.
Ethan, Vinny and Katherine.
Patrick and Mitchell were on the couch while Katherine, Vinny and Ethan drove on the floor.
I hope you had a great weekend! We went to Lexington on Saturday for Vinny's All-State Orchestra audition. I am happy to report that she made it! So proud of her. We will be going to Myrtle Beach at the end of February!
Guess who is home from Marquette for Christmas break? Anna!! She stopped by on Vinny's birthday and the next day to hang out with Vinny and Mitchell. It was a rainy day so the photos are not the best.
Anna scooping the ball.
Vinny catching the ball
A very blurry Mitchell.
Anna working it like a beast!
Vinny making an amazing catch.
Making a throw!
After Lacrosse, Anna and Vinny played a little volleyball. Anna played volleyball in high school.
Speaking of Lacrosse, our friends the Murphy's, have an adorable daughter, Anna Kate. We adore this young lady who also shares a birthday with me. She will be 5. I will be 35. We bought her a little Christmas present.
A very happy little girl.
Her own Lacrosse stick. With two big brothers who play Lacrosse, she immediately knew what to do with it.
I hope you had a blessed Christmas. We had a blast! I will share a few of the hundreds of photos starting tomorrow!
In Utah, the big rivalry is between Utah and BYU. Here in SC, it is between the University of SC and Clemson University. Two weeks ago, the big game was on so we invited a few friends over. Mitchell, Patrick, Maddy and Charlie are all USC fans. Vinny and I are Clemson fans. Actually, Vinny and I could not care a less.
Miss Yordy teaches Spanish at our High School and is from Wyoming. She is a USC fan. Luke (plays Lacrosse with Mitchell) his dad Rod, and his mom Jo are Clemson fans. Leah, a friend of Patrick's is a Clemson fan.
Maddy coloring with Anna Kate who belongs to the Murphy's.
Charlie, Mitchell, Maddy and Patrick.
Anna Kate attacking Vinny.
Not sure Vinny will ever want to babysit.
For dinner, Jo, who went to school at LSU, made Shrimp Creole. During halftime, we attempted to make Beignets.
Miss Jordy on Powdered Sugar duty.
Anna Kate helping her mom, Jo cut out the beignets.
They weren't too bad, not like the real thing but edible.
Patrick & Maddy waiting for the second batch.
Vinny finishing a beignet.
After I burned a batch due to taking pictures, Miss Jordy took over the cooking.
Did you know that hot oil can melt a spoon?
Well, it can.
Patrick, Anna Kate, & Maddy.
USC won. I cannot remember the score not that it matters, it is just a game.
Our dear, sweet Allison was in town for Thanksgiving. We were blessed with a visit on Wednesday.
So glad they get to see each other every couple of months.
Allison painted this for Vinny.
Vinny painted this for Allison.
They painted each others initial on their hands.
Our neighbors were out of town so we are dog sitting. The girls decided to take Juneau for her third walk of the day.
Who is walking who?
They took this by themselves hence the half of Allison's face being cut out.
Allison takes a turn.
Love the shadows.
Sweet silly Allison.
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Vinny wanted to paint something for Sam. The logical choice was a camera.
Love it!
Right after Vinny gave the painting to Sam.
The artist with Sam.
The next day, Sam went with Vinny to her Region Orchestra rehearsal. He would not be here for her concert and wanted to see her play.
He also took some amazing photos.
This lovely lady is Mrs. Diehn. Her sister was Vinny's teacher last year until she moved to England. Our new teacher did not hold Region rehearsals so Mrs. Diehn invited our kids to attend her rehearsals. She is awesome!
That is all I have from our visit with Sam! I hope you enjoyed the photos. Have a great Monday!
More photos from our visit to Falls Park with Sam...
I just cannot stand how good looking this kid is.
Might have already posted this but oh well, it is worth it.
Maddy and Sam with the beautiful falls behind them.
Too much cuteness.
Oh my. I am afraid they did not get one of my beautiful Vinny alone. Oh well.
Two amazingly beautiful young ladies.
Mitchell and his idol, Sam.
This could be in a magazine.
Sam! Man how I love him.
Maddy and her beautiful smile.
Nice candid shot.
Another magazine shot.
Driving home.
Mitchell with a few creepers in the background.
When we got home, Sam taught Mitchell how to play ten high.
Mitchell would play cards every day all day if he could.
Only a few more from our Sam visit!
Today is my brother Brian's birthday! Brian, I hope you have a fantastic and blessed day. I love you!
Have a great weekend.
After dinner on Main Street, we walked down to Falls Park. This is one of my favorite places in the world and we were so excited to share it with Sam.
A view of the bridge.
A view from under the bridge.
Standing under the root tree.
With Sam under the root tree.
A close-up.
The falls. While Charlie and I took a seat on a bench to rest, the kids took Sam across the bridge.
The cutest couple on the planet.
The most beautiful children on the planet.
My beautiful kids with Sam.
Aren't they adorable?
My handsome boys.
After the Art Walk, we went to Main Street for a late lunch. Sam let the boys take a few photos.
Me with Sam and Charlie.
Sam enjoying his lunch.
Me.
My handsome Mitchell.
Me and my Studmuffin.
Vinny and Maddy.
Vinny, Maddy and Patrick.
Ditto.
Three goofy kids and Mitchell.
Me and my honey.
Happy Wednesday!
