It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Yes, Christmas is approaching, but as far as Andrew is concerned "the most wonderful time of the year" is hunting season. I got the opportunity to go with him on Friday! I've been hunting with the men in my family before, but it was rabbit hunting where you get to move....and talk...and have dogs with you!!! I won't lie to you...sitting in that stand for three hours, silent and still was a little tough. We managed though. Too bad all we saw was one deer. I did almost wet my pants when someone shot right on top of us (aka "really close")!!!! I had a lot of fun though, and I hope my schedule allows me to go again with Andrew.

in the stand

yeah, I can shoot a gun...

Happy Halloween!!

Halloween was the day after the big bonfire (which Andrew I didn't get home from until about 2:30am!) Needless to say, we slept in on Halloween Saturday! That morning we went and cleaned up the bonfire area, then came back so that I could clean the house!!! Am I the only one who absolutely LOVES this time of the week...or day???

Anyway, we only had two trick or treaters, but they were the cutest ones you've ever seen. Molly and Ellie came to visit us at the apartment that night. Lara Beth found the most adorable costumes for them this year! We let the girls pick a small fun size bag of candy, and then we loaded them down with HUGE Hershey Bars. I'm sure that Jay and Lara Beth loved that!

On Sunday, we went to First Baptist's fall festival. We met Philip, Emily Ann, and Manning there and took the girls. It was so nice this year with the pony rides, face painting, music, and food! The kids had a lot of fun....even though it was pretty chilly. For me, it was nice seeing some of the people that I saw every Sunday for 3 years. I love what Andrew and I are doing at generation church, but I sure do miss those people at FBC! What a great church!

Oh...one more thing that I just HAVE to tell you about. Mom and Dad came for the Vanderbilt/USC game a few weekends back and brought Halloween gifts with them. Gavin and Andrew got Starbucks cards (which are really neat, because they go on your keychain!) I got money for scrubs (much needed!) Anyway, we all got cards from them...except they weren't Halloween cards. Don't worry--they were Thanksgiving cards. Bless Dad's heart. He just saw all the orange colors and pumpkins and thought surely that he'd gotten Halloween cards. To top that off...Mom forgot to write in mine! It was pretty funny! Mom and Dad will probably kill me if they see this.

Oh well, Happy Halloween.

Let the bonfires begin...

If we must go through cold weather, then we at least need lots of bonfires, right? Last Friday night, our small group hosted a bonfire with food and pumpkin carving too! It was a lot of fun, and the weather was really perfect for it! We even pulled out the corn hole set. I am proud to say that Rachel and I beat two guys (who I won't name for their dignity!) I think it was luck, though!

We also had some great pumpkin carving! Some people (including my husband) got really creative...and I'm happy (and a little sad) to say that 1st prize went to Jay with his Clemson pumpkin. Andrew's pumpkin was Colonel Sanders from the famous Kentucky Fried Chicken, and I carved a ladybug pumpkin. I don't think pumpkin carving is my thing. I'm not too artistic...and it takes a long time to do! I think that may be all the pumpkin carving I'm good for!

Hope you enjoy the pictures from that night.

His may look better here, but the ladybug has stood the test of time and

held up better this week!

Love it!!!

our make shift hayride...hay on a trailer pulled by the four wheeler

the pumpkin carving station

some of the finished work

Tailgating!!!

Since we haven't had a home game in a couple of weeks, I thought I'd post a few pictures of tailgating this season. We have faithfully been at every home game, and we've always had food!

I recently babysat for one of my "friends from the North," and she and her husband were so puzzled by how crazy the tailgaters are down here in South Carolina. All I could say was, "Yeah, it's kind of crazy sometimes."

Some highlights from this season:

1. Certain "beverages" from fans behind us spilling all over where we're standing.

2. A fan with really long hair constantly "flicking" it on my shoulder throughout the WHOLE game...

3. Going from a wet and rainy tailgate at 1pm to bright, warm sunshine at 3pm, to a COLD game that night!

4. Fire ants...ouch.

5. Andrew squeezing into a toddler's football helmet.

6. Me maintaining my strong dislike of porta-potties....and my mom (who's never used one) actually using one!!!!!!

getting ready for the game to start

Andrew wearing Manning's helmet

us with a future Gamecock (Manning)

Oh yes, chocolate donuts shaped like footballs...

Loving on Levi...

I never posted pics of the newest addition to our family: Levi Valor Holland (my cousin Beth's first son!) He is so precious, and we are excited that Beth, Josh and Levster (as I like to call him) are moving closer to "home"--Charlotte, NC! Here are some pictures from that night when we all saw them. It's been months since I've since Beth, so it was too short...but so much fun! We tried to get a picture of Andrew holding Levi, but he didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea: that idea being that he's ready for kids ;-)

We love you, Levi!!!

Grannie (Mom's mom) holding Levi for the first time

I love this picture of Gavin and Levi!

Yes, we eat EVERY time we get together. Notice the mac and cheese and baked beans. These are Mom and Aunt Susan's specialties, respectively.

Levi and I are actually first cousins, once removed...but I promise it's like he's my nephew.

camo and carhartts

the typical outfit: Carhartt's, camo, and duck boots

I remember my childhood very well. I remember every Saturday --when Dad (and Gavin when he was old enough) would go hunting...all day! Mom and I got stuck with the fun stuff: grocery shopping, cleaning, folding clothes. We had a good time though. We went to the mall's Chick-fil-a a lot! Anyway...

So, for me...it's normal for a guy to hunt. Of course, I was thrilled when I first met Andrew and learned that he "liked" to hunt. "Like" isn't the word. This man loves it....which is fine by me! He even takes his i-pod sometimes and listens to sermons. Can you say multi-tasker??? I married a big time hunter, and I love that about him. I must admit, he could wear the outfit in the above picture every day, and I'd be fine with it!

Got the shot...

Tonight, Andrew and I went to get our flu shots...from none other than one of my favorite places--CVS. We didn't have to wait that long, and I was so good that I got a sticker and a lollipop. Andrew was just ready to get out of there. The nurse kept asking Andrew all these questions, and all he could say was "I'm just hungry."

I do have a small bone to pick with CVS though. So, (long story short) I have gotten into "couponing." I must say, I should have started a long time ago. I think it might be a bit addicting, but that's besides the point. Anyway, they have a book of coupons that are advertised as being available "when you get a flu shot." However, a bunch of web sites say that you can just walk into any CVS and pick one up since it's a "no purchase necessary" thing. Just yesterday, I was in CVS when I asked a salesperson where the free coupon books were. She says promptly, "Oh those are only if you've had a flu shot." Hmmm....

So tonight, after I got the shot, I asked the nurse for my coupon book. Yay! I earned it after all! Negative! "We're fresh out, honey...but, you can go to any CVS and pick one up. You know, you actually don't have to get a flu shot to get one of those??"

Salesperson at CVS yesterday: busted!!!!!

All I said was, "Hmm...I knew it!"

So, for all you couponers...don't believe the lie that you have to get a shot to get the book!