Celebrate: Corban Turns 3!

Our handsome little guy turned 3 on October 22 and since he likes dirt, destruction and trucks we went with a dump truck/construction theme.  The party was held on the 20th at a local church's playground.  I didn't plan any activities because the play area was so nice and it's hard to corral a bunch of 2-3 year olds in an organized manner when there are swings, slides, etc.  So, we played, colored and ate lunch.  It was a nice October morning and we are thankful for his friends.  I love Corban immensely and his happiness and sweetness fill me with warm fuzzies. 

 I asked a civil engineer at work if I could have some old drawings with roads, sewers, etc. for the the kids to color.  We used them as the tablecloths and for entertainment.  Kids really like big paper.  Oh, and check out my little lefty!

 Favors.

 Chris and Isaiah. 

 Jacob pushing Gates and Corban.

 Corban had been asking for pizza every night for dinner the week leading up to his party so we did that for the food.  It was certainly easier on me than trying to prepare a lot.

 I did a dirt cake (chocolate pudding/cool whip/oreos) instead of the usual and it was a big hit.  We may or may not have had a kid licking the pan when it was empty.

 In lieu of presents we asked friends to bring new or gently used coats to help keep some less fortunate kiddos warm this fall/winter.

 Caroline.

Haston.

Girl Trip: Rocky Mountains

My friend Tonya sent me an email back in the spring asking if I would be interested in meeting her in CO for a few days of backpacking.  She had to go out for work and thought it would be nice to enjoy the mountains for a few days before her conference.  Tonya and Jason used to live in Memphis and they are probably our only friends who actually enjoy doing outdoorsy things.  I would say Jacob and I were somewhat responsible for planting the backpacking bug in them.  I really had no reason to turn Tonya down and it actually sounded like a lot of fun - 2 girls in the middle of bear country?  Why not.  Jacob gave me the go ahead and even gave me miles for my flight.  I flew out on a Thursday night so I was able to catch up with my friend Sara from Clemson who lives just outside of Boulder in the quaint little town of Louisville.  Tonya picked me up on Friday around lunch and we spent the next 2 nights (3 days) camping, slackpacking and eating cheese.  Since she's already blogged about the actual hiking part, I figured you could go to her blog and read about it.  Why do the work if you can just take it from somebody who has already done it - gosh, I sound like a democrat!  Oh, sorry didn't mean to get all political there.  Annnyway, after a few days in the woods we were able to stay at a REALLY nice hotel in Denver (on her works dime).  I stayed an extra 2 nights and flew home on Tuesday.  On Monday (while Tonya worked), I relaxed by getting my first-ever pedicure, taking a light stroll, eating sushi and watching entirely too much trash on TLC - isn't that supposed to be "the learning channel"??  It was a really fun time, a perfect balance of reunion, recreation and relaxation.  My kind of trip.

2012 Lake Days

Jacob has wanted a boat for a few summers now and we've always had "more important" things to spend our money on. This year, I really had no excuse for saying we shouldn't get one. And I'm glad I didn't. Jacob spent a majority of his summers as a child/youth on Lake Keowee skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, etc. and wanted to provide those opportunities to our kids too. The kids had a blast this summer and we made a lot of fun memories: the kids squealing and giggling on the tube, mommy throwing the kids off the tube, Dakota being scared of the tube, Dakota overcoming her fear of mommy throwing her off the tube, Corban pooping on the back of the boat, eating watermelon on the back of the boat, jumping off the back of the boat,  lots of swimming, having friends come along, Crumpet wakeboarding and lots more. Since fall has arrived, I think our 2012 days are over but we'll be looking forward to bringing the boat back out in the spring. Lakes visited this summer: Pickwick, Beech and Sardis.