Sloppy Sports and Sleepovers

After a few days at Lake Keowee for Thanksgiving, the kids and I returned home for some Georgia football and Christmas decorating. The tree we got from the farm up near Cashiers is gorgeous. Every year I say this, but this has to be the best one so far. Anyway, we had an awesome brunch tailgate Saturday morning in the dry comfort of the parking deck, but after a tremendously disappointing (and freezing and soaking, I might add) loss to Tech on Saturday, we decided we needed more time to get over our misery and hired a second sitter for the evening while we went with the Griners to see 4 Christmases--hilarious. It even made me forget about sucky defense and stupid special teams for two hours. While we were away, the four kids were combined (amazing babysitter) and had what they called a sleepover (although it ended by 10-ish). The kids were all precious in the Christmas jammies in front of the tree.



This was from this morning just before church.



Busy week ahead with 3 basketball games, but I'm most looking forward to cold weather and the Athens Christmas parade on Thursday. 17 more school days to go...

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving from these three little turkeys!

One (Adorable) Little Indian

Today was Kinsey's Thanksgiving program and feast at her school. It was the most precious thing EVER! The class sang two songs (video hopefully posted soon). The first was the extended version of 10 Little Indians like she sang at karaoke night this weekend and the other was an adorable one called "Albequerque, He's my turkey..." and it was my favorite because Kinsey calls it "AlbeTURKEY!" Then they did a cute little skit and had probably THE best school Thanksgiving supper I have EVER eaten. The kids looked so cute and her teachers had done a fabulous job with everything. I feel so thankful that she is in such a wonderful environment this year. We couldn't be happier.

That being said, it was a day of turning over a new leaf with Max. Without going into great detail, we decided a couple of weeks ago that we were no longer happy with his current childcare situation. So, today was his last day there. Jack and I felt very sure about our decision and are looking forward to his new home-away-from-home next week. Say a little prayer for him and us.

Tomorrow, the kids and I are headed to SC for a short little Thanksgiving trip to Nanny and Papadad's. Gobble, gobble!

Memories to last a lifetime...

Weekends like these are the ones that fill me up and can keep me going for many more days ahead. Our 2nd annual girls weekend at Clear Creek Ranch in NC was everything I had hoped for, and more. This year, Kinsey and I decided to invite the other Putman gals to join us for our trip. Nanny was the only one who could make it, but what a time the three of us had. Friday night, we arrived to a snowy Mt Mitchell. The temperatures were somewhere around 20 NOT including the wind. After dinner in the lodge and some time around the fire, we introduced Kinsey to the game of Bingo. After a few rounds, she was getting bored and NOT liking losing. Fortunately, round four belonged to her and she won a "magic gemstone".

The next morning, right after breakfast, we hit the hiking trail for a walk up to a beautiful partially frozen Roaring Falls of the Toe River. Beautiful, but frigid.





We went straight back to the stable for our first trial ride on Hershey. You technically have to be 6-years-old to go out on the trails, but since she'd been taking lessons on Rosie, the wranglers agreed to sneak her out of the arena. The first trip was a big letdown--at least the 2nd half of it was. Too cold (11 degrees), too long, and too tired, I was afraid she may not want to ride again.



After some lunch and warmup at the lodge, she was ready to try again. This time, a little more conservative, Nanny and I decided just to lead her around on our own, so when she got tired, we could just go back to the barn. Just what the doctor ordered. Kinsey rode Wizard for over an hour.





Next, a lovely 2+ hour nap and back up to the lodge to, guess what, eat again! After Saturday night's supper came one of my favorite moments of the trip. Karoake night. Well, neither Nanny or myself have much singing talent (sorry mom), and Kinsey's usually a little slow to warm up to big crowds, so I was totally floored when she walked up to the emcee and asked if she could sing a song (of course they didn't have the music for the song she wanted) and the microphone was hers. I had tears during all 7+ verses of "10 Little Indians". It was the sweetest thing I swear that I have ever heard. There were probably 20 people, adults and kids alike, in the room and you could hear a pin drop! Precious!



Finally our cowgirl weekend ended with one more trail ride. Kinsey promised she was up for another real trail ride and she kept her end of the deal. She had a blast as we rode up and down hills, through woods, and over rocks for an hour and a half. Her riding teacher would've been proud.

We had so much fun, Nanny!




I'm so sad the weekend is over, but I'm looking very forward to returning again in the warmer months, which we've never done before.

Only two work days this week. Also, one baby shower, two children's Thanksgiving Feasts and two basketball games in those two days. Should be busy. I will be THANKFUL when Thanksgiving is finally here! Yee Haw, yall!

Today's videos

Here is Kinsey trotting on Rosie during her last lesson of the season and Max with his newest obsession, singing stuffed animals. He definitely learned his dance moves from his soulful buddy, John Scott!

ZOOMA and more!

So today was my big day! After training with an amazing group of women for 10 weeks, I completed my first half marathon today and am very proud of my accomplishment. Part of the Zooma Women's Race series, today's innaugural race included 1600 athletes. My goal was to simply run the entire 13.1 miles without walking, but when I caught a nasty cold bug this week, I didn't think that was very realistic. My sickness, combined with the 29 degree wind-chill weather and the hilly Atlanta course didn't deter me and I didn't slow down ONCE and managed to run the race in 2 hours and 20 minutes, averaging under 11 minute miles. I am very excited. Who knows, maybe I'll do this again! ;)

A special shout out to Ali, the chick who got me started in this whole Boot Camp/Half Marathon stuff. She completed her first half in Texas today fighting for a great cause--finding a cure for Crohn's and Colitis. GO GIRL!

In other news, we had a busy weekend full of pictures. We took the kids to a new photographer, an old college friend of Jack's and mine, and I think by our "sneak peek" we may have gotten a few really cute shots. Check out this link to her blog to catch a glimpse--Holland Photography The Blog . Also, we took the kids to the Junior League Marketplace to see "Ho Ho." Max liked the big guy from afar, and showed signs of warming up, but Kinsey was in awe. She looked up at him with a big grin and asked for her one wish--a small elephant figurine from Rainforest Cafe to replace the one she lost at Myrtle Beach this summer. If anyone lives near this restaurant, there will be a high premium paid if you can come up with this item!!!

(Birthday) Party Time

Another trip to Pump It Up with Kinsey yesterday...

A little slow down

After lots of traveling, this weekend was a wonderful change of pace. Friday night, it was back to our old "standard" of dinner and cookie store with the Griner gang. Saturday morning was our neighborhood yard sale. The kids had a great time playing in the driveway while we tried to unload some of our junk to passerbys. One kid brought a dollar up to me and said he'd like to buy our John Deere Gator. Precious!





Jack and I decided to have a last-minute date night last night with the help of our wonderful babysitter. What a treat! This morning, I met the girls for our last training run for next week's half marathon in Atlanta. I can't believe I am actually doing this, but I can't wait for the run. I decided to try and get a few shots of the kids in their precious fall outfits after church this morning and they were suprisingly cooperative.






In other news, this week was "Pet Week" at Kinsey's school and her homework was to take a picture with her pets. Here's a shot of her with Emmett and Ellie, our Jeck Russell Terrorists!



Kinsey and I are headed to another Pump It Up birthday party in a bit...

Little Things

On a day that will be recorded in all of our history books, it is the simple things that make me smile. This is why Carrabas is one of my most favorite restaurants ever (other than the yummy Mezzaluna dish). They give kids bread dough, let them mold it, then bake it for them once they've created their masterpiece. No masterpieces from this little Van Gogh, but he was certainly entertained!!!

Anniversary in Highlands

So we're home from what had to be one of the most gorgeous fall weekends in Highlands, NC. And aside from one really stupid football game, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect trip. For our 9th anniversary, Jack and I hit the NC mountains solo, once again, thanks to a VERY generous Nanny and Papadad. Trying to top last year's trip to Flat Rock, we found a beautiful spot in Highlands called the Inn at Half Mile Farm. This place was awesome! A big, white inn on top of a grassy hill with a pond and several rustic cabins along the perimeter of this 14-acre little piece of heaven.

So after we wasted a very small amount of time on aforementioned stupid game, we sat on the porch at the inn sipping wine, nibbling hors devours, and watching the sunset behind the pond. A dip in the room hot tub and a little rest by the fireplace and I think both of us were sound asleep before 9! This morning, it was back to the inn for their famous breakfast. When the giant Belgian waffle was placed in front of me, I was a little disappointed. All these rave reviews for waffles??? Then, I tasted it. Oh my goodness! Made-from-scratch pumpkin waffles with homemade cinnamon whipped cream. I was not too embarrassed to ask for seconds!

Post-breakfast-binge we hit the mountains for some hiking and some waterfall hunting. I was bummed because my camera battery died before we got to the first site, but it turns out my phone's didn't do half bad. After a few miles of hiking and site-seeing, we went back to town for some shopping and strolling.





Later, it was down the mountain to Nanny and Papa's house for our shock back to reality. Actually it was not too bad as the kids were in great moods from having fun with their grandparents and the drive home was still beautiful.

Off to face the week ahead...