Thanksgiving at the Beach

We did things a little different this year...and instead of staying in town over Thanksgiving and visiting with our three families...we ventured to Florida with my dad...for turkey at the beach. Having been in Jacksonville for the Ga/Fl game, Clemson for the FSU game, San Antonio for the half marathon -- we figured we should probably get out of town for the fourth time since the end of October.It was a little difficult being away from some of our family over Thanksgiving. But one look at this and I am instantly reminded of God's ever present blessings. What a lot we have to be thankful for.We stayed at this beautiful house -- thanks to Dad and Michelle's generosity! It was perfect.

And, at the end of the trip, we drove from the east coast of the state to the west coast to see my grandparents and Dan's uncle. It was a wonderful getaway and a great reminder of all we have to be thankful for.

San Antonio is HOT, HOT, HOT

Except during our visit...it was ridiculously cold. Seriously. One day I wore almost everything I packed...at the same time! Besides conquering 13.1 miles ... Dan, Brett, Catherine and I remembered the Alamo while we were in San Antonio. Which, by the way, is all about a really sad story. Everybody dies. Like Marley and Me...but everybody dies. The River Walk definitely makes this city! Cute shops, restaurants and a river make a winning combination. Who knew? Just be careful because every year more than 200 people fall in the river. The river with very few guard rails. The river that is lined with margarita-serving restaurants. Go figure. It was my goal to see someone fall in during our trip, but no such luck. A return visit is definitely in order.
There is a ton of public art througout San Antonio. Everywhere you look beautiful architecture and art inspire. Like the mural below -- which is on the side of the conference center and includes colors (all except one) that are completely derived from nature. Cool, huh? Do these bells look familiar? A scene from Ms. Congeniality was filmed here. Now that I remember from the tour...sad.
Tower of the Americas at Hemisfair Park. Look it up. It's cool...and tall. We had cocktails in the restaurant at the top and watched the sun set.

Oldest cathedral in the United States. Except New Orleans thinks they have the oldest one, too. This was right outside our hotel.

Did I mention in addition to running 13.1 miles we walked...to the start line, back to our hotel from the finish line, to the river, to the shops....we walked and walked and walked...........

Beautiful bakery! The colors of the decorations are amazing.

San Antonio is a beautiful city and I definitely recommend a visit for a long weekend. I also suggest the Rock and Roll Marathon series for anyone wanting to run and run and run and run. The four of us ran the race...so there's no pics...because we were otherwise occupied...but it was beyond fun and a great way to see the city.

C-L-E-M-S-O-N

We went to the Clemson/FSU game this weekend! It was fun to be back on an old stomping ground and even more fun to visit with Anne and Gene. The weather was beyond amazing, a nice break from last week's broil-fest in Jacksonville. If you've never tailgated in Clemson, you need to -- Tiger fan or not. This may be the best tailgating in the Southeast -- there's just nothing like it.
We do it big here.

We can cover a country mile...or two.




The most exciting 30-seconds in college football!

Did I mention Anne and Gene have the cutest twin boys known to man?Check out Anne's blog for better pictures! Click HERE. And...beyond being a beautiful, amazing friend, awesome wife and perfect mom -- Anne sews the most adorable baby clothes you've ever seen. Check out her other blog here and get those Christmas orders in! Click HERE.

Aren't they the prettiest couple you've ever seen?!

Such a fun weekend! I'm thankful for such awesome friends! Thank you Anne and Gene for the tickets, good times and for being impeccable hosts!

Booing Gators and Other Things That Require An Extra Serving of Muscle Milk

We took the annual trip to Jeckyll to hang out at the Clark's beach house before heading to Jacksonville to cheer on our Dawgs. Who totally stunk this year, by the way. Not the Clark's...they are awesome. The Dawgs. In fact, they don't even deserve a capital "d". They're the (stinkin') dawgs this year.

We managed to work in a costume party. Thanks to some super sweet friends, I could pretend I was sweet, too (dressed as an M&M). Those who know me, especially that one girl on the sidewalk in Jacksonville, would not be fooled by the costume.
Much sweeter than me...

Even Santa came for the show!
Who knew he was so friendly with Papa John?
Or that Papa John was dating a cat?
And, these cute girls were there, too.
Teen Wolf stopped by. Frankly, I find the facial hair terrifying.
We made friends with the neighbors. Our costumes were that great. Please click and enlarge this picture and enjoy the beauty in all its glory. Is that guy drooling and wearing shooting glasses?
Other costumes were omitted due to their inappropriateness. Although, creativity ranked high.

At the game, it was hotter than bare feet on a blacktop in August. In fact, that would have probably felt like sweet relief. But, true fans come for the game and stay for the game...or at least stay until your team is losing by thirty or more points. Then, you can go. Look at these pics close up and it's like naked Waldo. It was that hot.




We stopped by Savannah on the way home!

Sweet Baby Jacob!

Sweet Baby Jacob turned one! Can you believe it? We had fun celebrating!

He got lots of toys!

A Georgia hoodie from Pastor Dee. Awesome!

A Florida shirt from my Grandma Betty. Boo.

Just in time for the UGA vs Florida game.
He loved his toy from Linda and Bill!

He wasn't too sure about the cupcake -- his very own gigantic, personal cake. My sister made it and it was beautiful!

I think it was so pretty Jacob didn't want to mess it up!


I made cupcakes for the rest of the crew. With cute "acorns" on top. Too bad they melted in the car. Double boo. There were pumpkin cupcakes, too. But, I could only handle posting one picture of the devastation.

It was such a fun party -- can't believe how fast they grow up! And that statement makes me sound like a total curmudgeon. Am I 80?

Trunk or Treat

My sister, Jessica, and I trunk-or-treated with the fam at their church, Powers Ferry UMC, in Marietta. Kids go around from car to car and trick or treat. Every car has a theme -- our's was "Hippies" and Jess rocked the psychedelic outfit!

Tis the Season

Last weekend, we soaked up all that autumn offers with a visit to Burt's Pumpkin Patch and a couple of apple orchards. It was FREEZING cold...but so fun! If you click on this pic to make it bigger you can see the look of pain on my face. Did I mention it was so COLD!? I have about 15 layers on, too. These pumpkins were HUGE and weighed a ton! Burt's is a seasonal must. And, totally worth the drive. Dan is such a cutie!
At the orchards...Rome Beauties were pretty much all that was left. We just baked warm apple crisp!

This is the entrance to Hillcrest. There were tons of activities like pig racing and petting zoos. We headed up the road to BJ's apple orchard...which was a little less crowded...but didn't have pig racing. Boo.
Giving my best wicked stepmother...or was it Wicked Witch...impression. Either way, where's Snow White?
Feeling pretty concerned about what's going to happen to all 'dem apples!
Beautiful views! I think it would be fun to live in the country if they started building malls out there! How lame am I?
It was a perfect weekend. If you haven't indulged in a fall activity, don't let the time pass you by. Seize the season!