Thanks Cameryn!

McKenzie spent the weekend with Cameryn at the beach house. I wish I had pictures but maybe next time. What fun these two girls have together. We really appreciate Cameryn and her family for allowing the girls to spend so much quality time together. I think they learn a lot from each other. Thanks!

Merry Christmas to all....

....and to all a good night!

After about 4 hours of sleep last night and a day of driving to Lincolnton, NC and back, we are calling the 2007 Christmas rush officially over. As we reflect back on this year we wish to thank each of you for the enrichment you bring to our daily lives. We could not make it without you!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom!

(or 2-Momma as these three would call you)

Holly

With the much anticipated arrival of Santa Claus, tonight also brings a bit of sorrow knowing that Holly must return to the North Pole. You see, Holly is a Christmas Elf and is only allowed to visit special boys and girls when their "jobs" are finished. McKenzie wrote lots of letters to Santa asking for Holly to visit again this year and PLEASE come soon. Holly arrived with a grand entrance and lot more rambunctious this year. We caught her swinging from chandeliers to fishing in the fish tank to even driving. This morning we searched forever it seemed, looking everywhere. Holly left us lots of clues...she had taken Dad's keys and hidden them, Mom's money and credit card had been moved, magic snow was everywhere....but No Holly to be found......then finally we spotted her sleeping bag in the garage....then we followed more snow outside......HOLLY! She was in Dad's car at the steering wheel, thank goodness she was safe and sound but what had she been doing? Dad looked for dents and McKenzie helped all the little "friends" out of the car and found a wrapped present from Porter's Gift Shop. Apparently like last year Holly wanted to give McKenzie a special gift to remember her and I think the little hippo webkinz will do just that. Thanks Holly...you're the best!

Road Trip!

We decided late Saturday to take a road trip to Asheboro, NC to exchange gifts with my dad who was having Christmas with my sister, Leigh. The weather Sunday was dreary but we loved the time together, just McKenzie, Stan and Lana. Thanks to Dad and Pat for allowing our short notice adventure as well as delivering packages to Leigh's house (I know that Caroline and Cooper would not mind opening an extra present or two). Thanks again, we enjoyed our visit!

Farewell!

Christmas came early to our house, after nearly a week without heating and air the old gas pack was taken away...a new one has now arrived. May the old Amana rest in peace. Hello Trane!

What A House!

Stan and I attended a wonderful Christmas Drop-in Sunday night in Effingham, SC (a community just outside Florence). We drove the 15 minutes to find a very nice, non-assuming, beautifully decorated old homestead filled with holiday guests. Once we walked inside we were in awe with the antiques. Unlike my house which has an antique or two in each room, this home was completely furnished with antiques. I'm talking antique vases, sconces, chandeliers, etc. The details were so perfect I wasn't sure we hadn't stepped into a time machine and landed in the period of Gone With The Wind. These cell phone pictures just do not do it justice. Believe it or not this was a bachelor's house who is not a decorator by trade, just a collector of fine antiques. What a wonderful event!

Happy Birthday Mary!

We enjoyed the Taylor's company over dinner at this great little Italian Restaurant Saturday Night. Dinner was great and the company even better. To bad I did not get a picture....but she would probably kill me if I posted it anyway! Maybe next time.....Have a great birthday Mary!

FIRE! (well...maybe not quite)

At 1:58 a.m. this morning we awoke to think black smoke filling our home....Thank Goodness after a brief panic we realized it was just smoke no flames. Seeing that this type thing had happened one other time (Thanksgiving Day 2001) we were not as moved to start throwing all our worldly belongings onto the front lawn, although it was scary enough for Stan to send the fire trucks to a different address BECAUSE he forgot our house numbers! Thank goodness I was running by at that moment and yelled....."no, it's 2833 not 2811". Within minutes we had two volunteer firefighters in our house....literally minutes. Turned out it was our gas pack (downstairs heating unit) telling us it was overworked and finished. Everything is okay now, except for the thick electrical burning smell that still lingers throughout the now cold downstairs. In every challenging event we try to find all the positives that GOD has given us and other than the obvious (our lives, our safety, a quick emergency response team, our house, etc...), we were so thankful that McKenzie had spent the night away.....She would have been completely freaked out!

Join me in singing this year's Christmas songs.... "All I want for Christmas is a new gas pack, a new gas pack, a new gas pack......" followed by... "I'll be poor for Christmas...."

Deer Crossing!

And the Spartanburg Deer said, "Tag, You're It"

Blake and his friend were fine....Can't say as much for his car. We will get to see the true extent of the damage when he returns home on Holiday Break.

Happy Birthday Dad!

December 4th

Happy Birthday!

(watch your mailbox)

Happy Birthday Sailor!

Happy First Birthday!

Sorry we couldn't make the celebration.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Remember the reason for the season and give thanks for all that GOD has given each and every one of us! Be safe in your travels throughout this holiday season.

Bring It On!

I decided I must be missing something or maybe losing a bargain cause every year people flood the malls during the last month of the year....so last year I decided to wait and do my shopping during that time too. BAD IDEA.....I flew around town like a chicken with my head cut off and vowed I would not do this again. Oh the stress. Not sure about everyone else BUT I like my way of shopping, starting in September/October and finishing up by around Thanksgiving. I have always been good about having most everything done early except for my children (cause their lists are updated daily). WELL this year I went back to my holiday routine and.......with exception of my children.....I AM FINISHED! I plan to enjoy the holidays with only a last minute trip to the mall to......yes......people watch and enjoy watching them run around like chickens.

Project Weekend!

Bet you are thinking I did something around the house??? Nope....we had school projects...like one teacher told us a couple of years ago...."we give projects because this is often the only time kids spend with their parents." They suceeded this time....We spent all weekend working on a 3D Atom Project for Austin and a 5 page Indian Project for McKenzie. I can tell you all about the Pueblo Indians from their hogans to their kachinas. Must say it took us forever to get started but at least we did finished.

Welcome Home Stan!

"Glade your back Dad"
"We love you From: McKenzie"







Stan was out of town for a couple of days. McKenzie was so excited he was returning that she made him a welcome home banner. She left notes in various places just so that he would know she missed him. Thought I would share her cute writings.

Fall Has Arrived!

Thank goodness we now have the beautiful colors of Fall. I just had to show you may favorite tree in my yard. In this area we mostly have Pine Trees, no color change in those....although I use a hect of a lot of pine needles in my flower beds.

Young Singers Performance

McLeod Children's Hospital had their annual Festival of Trees today. The Royall Young Singers performed at 12:30 p.m. to an atrium full of onlookers. They began by singing an oldie "Swinging from a Star" then "Dancing on the Rooftops" followed by "Many Thanks". To end the performance they energized the crowd by singing the Tiger Rag and the Carolina Fight Song. Seeing that McKenzie is a Clemson fan we heard her loud and clear sing "HOLD THAT TIGER" but upon singing the USC fight song it became a whisper.

Happy Birthday Cameryn!

Happy Birthday to a good friend!

VOTE

Did you exercise your rights today? My dad would be so proud of me - I voted and we only had one thing on the ballot! But I can now discuss the outcome whether I like it or not (just a comment for my dad's benefit concerning his recent blog entry). Truth be known, I haven't missed an election in at least 15 years or more!

Another Wofford Weekend!

Wofford lost to Georgia Southern University in double overtime 38-35. McKenzie and Austin had plenty of extra time to enjoy the sliding hill. We enjoyed our visit with Blake (although short but good) and had the opportunity to meet lots of new people both at the ballgame and at the hotel. It always surprises me how far away we can go to meet people in our own backyard.

Happy Halloween!

McKenzie and Cameryn Brand enjoyed trick-or-treating together in the Brand's neighborhood. Janet drove us all around their neighborhood on the golf cart. Could not have asked for better weather or company. Thanks for inviting us to the festive get together and the opportunity for the girls to continue their afternoon of fun!

Please Pray!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/28/beach.fire/index.html

Blake was at Myrtle Beach last night for a concert and arrived home safely this afternoon to tell us about a tragic fire this morning in Ocean Isle, NC involving 13 college students. Please pray for these families and remember to tell your children how much you love them, no matter how old they are.

My Boys Gone A Shoot'n

Palmetto Pines Classic

Stan, Blake and Austin are spending the day
bonding over a couple of shooting clays. Each
year Stan looks forward to this benefit shoot.
Pictures are from last year when Austin wasn't able to actually shoot the 5-stand course....but this year is a different story. I hope to update them in a couple of days or weeks (since I can't take my camera, I must rely on their website - so potluck on pics). Palmetto Pines Classic is a benefit shoot that support one of our local private school. We have attended this event now for 6 years and every year proves to be more fun than the last. The boys have grown from playing in the woods to shooting.

Happy Birthday Shane!

Wanted to make sure I posted Birthday Wishes to my brother-in-law. A picture is not immediately available but I am looking.

Lunch Time

If you have ever been through Spartanburg South Carolina (especially with a church group) you have more than likely heard of The Beacon Drive In. Saturday before the Wofford game we decided to visit the old favorite and let the kids try it for themselves. I think for the first time Austin was speechless and maybe even a bit confused. Upon entering the building an african american man whose probably worked there all his life yells - batter...batter..batter...what CHU want...what CHU want...come on, MOOVE my line, MOOVE my line. If you can't order very quickly he calls "batter out" and to the back of the line you go. Once we were called "out" and moved to the back, Stan and I decided we would order for everyone. 1 chili cheese a'plenty Stan yells....3 kid dogs, I yell. That meant - 1 chili cheese burger with so many fries and onion rings mounded on top you can't see the burger - 3 plain kid's hot dog meals with fries to the side. As soon as we ordered we heard the next guy saying...come on first base..first base...(although we were asked at each "base" about the Wofford game and what time it started) - and that backed the line up a bit. Ever in Spartanburg - try the Beacon, if only for the experience to say you have gone.

Family Weekend!

Tomorrow starts Wofford Family Weekend!

We haven't seen Blake in a couple of weeks so we are all very excited. Some of us are excited about seeing Blake and others are exciting about seeing the Wofford "hill". We have our boxes waxed and ready.....although we need rain, I just hope it can hold off for a day or two. I have my camera packed and ready so watch for pictures.

DMV then Family Reunion - Aiken, SC

Let's see! Austin and I started Saturday at 8:00 a.m. in a rush to make sure I got my license renewed, seeing that it expired last weekend. So off to the DMV to kill two birds with one stone....get my license renewed and Austin's beginner's permit. I succeeded in getting my license but the system was down for the knowledge test for Austin, so we waited...and waited....and waited. Ended up leaving at 10:30 a.m. with still no working test system for Austin. Off we went to Aiken SC for the Gouge/Green Family Reunion. About 30 munites out of town I realized I forgot my camera so hopefully I will get pictures from my sisters. I normally would steal from their website but the new way they post pictures will not allow that. So I will wait for copies. It was nice to see family who we do not get to see but once a year. I wish we were able to really get to know each other's personalities. It takes me forever to really get comfortable and open up. Every year roles begin to change a bit more from child to parent to grandparent to great grandparent....oh the cycle of life. We also celebrated Granny's 80th Birthday. Not a great big to-do but a celebration no less.

My Young Singer

Florence County held their fall festival at Lynches River State Park on Saturday October 13th. Royall Elementary performed various song including the Clemson Fight Song and USC Fight Song. Of course McKenzie's favorite is "Hold that Tiger...Hold That Tiger". I was unable to attend due to a family reunion in another part of the state so Stan took pictures with his cell phone (sorry for the slight blur). McKenzie is located front second on the left (in bermuda shorts).

Birthday Wishes!

Thank you to all for the wonderful Birthday Wishes!

I don't mind birthdays cause it sure beats the alternative....and there are lots of you in higher numbers just paving the way ahead of me.

Wofford / Citadel Game

Just had to add some additional pictures of the game.

What A Game!

Wofford 28 - Citadel 7

At the half Wofford and Citadel were tied at 7 each making it a bit to close for comfort. We talked with Blake during the game, just to rub it in a bit, who was watching from a TV in Spartanburg. After a couple of great plays in the second half Wofford was off and never looked back. We really appreciated all that the Brand's did to make the day a complete blast (including the wonderful dinner at Vickery's on Shem Creek). The view was awesome!

Go Terriers!

We are off to Charleston, South Carolina to watch the Wofford/Citadel game and dinner afterwards. This is really suppose to be a great game. Our personal favorite football snack is served in this stadium -- Boiled Peanuts! Well except for Stan who likes the roasted salted in the shell (he will be able to enjoy that too). If the rain holds off I hope to have pictures. Go Terriers!

Happy Birthday Stan!

Nothing but best wishes on your birthday!

The Florence Greek Festival (part 2)

This was my favorite....The Baklava Sundae!
Can you guess their favorite.....The Cherry Icee!
Stan's favorite.....OOOHHH!
AAAHHHHH!
PRETTY!

Let the Fun Begin!

The Annual Florence Greek Festival

Cameryn and McKenzie

(quick picture before heading to the fun and games!)

Let the playing begin!
Look Mom - No Hands!
Wasn't sure who the biggest kid was...maybe Stan?

It's Official (at least for me)

Fall is here.....well not weather wise.....but the Greek Festival is underway and the wonderful Greek dancing and music at night is a sure sign that it will be getting cooler really soon. See the Greek Orthodox Church in just beyond the field behind our house and we enjoy hearing the festivities as we sit on our back patio with tiki torches lite and a glass of wine in hand. Tomorrow is the fun of actually seeing and tasting the wonderful Greek foods and pastries. As for McKenzie, her favorite are the inflatables. I will make sure to take pictures!

Busy - Busy - Busy

Gosh......where do I start. My job got a bit busier last week with one less assistant in our office but thank goodness the rest of us communicate well or I would be pulling my hair out or maybe taking a bit more vacation time. This past Saturday Stan and his "little" brother (Chris, who isn't so little) visited Cherokee to see just how the Indians live (in Harrah's) and then Sunday we had the Caldwell Reunion in Lincolnton, NC. My kids love to count and laugh at how many times they are asked by the other kids "...are you a Caldwell" and of course it is with the infamous hills and hollar accents of NC (just not quite like our lowcounty accent). What you do not know is that these other cousins live right there in Lincolnton, NC so they all know each other really well even playing daily together. I think we may be the farthest away that came. McKenzie finally asked in all seriousness.....Mom, are we a Caldwell??? After I stopped laughing inside I couldn't help but make a lesson out of our family tree on Stan's side by asking.....What is Grandpa C's last name, followed by the line of kin to get to her (so it does make a little more sense now). While we were in the area we stopped by the nursing home to see Grandpa C who turned 91 this year, although he doesn't know who we are due to Alzheimer's, he thoroughly enjoyed watching McKenzie and petting Sam (our black cocker spaniel). It is amazing what a pet does to people in nursing homes. Sam thought he was hot stuff walking around that place. While leaving Stan even found a nice elderly "friend" who struck up a conversation by asking where we lived and his "friend" stated how far away that was for her to go as she walked right out with us, then Stan thought twice when the alarm went off from her ankle bracelet. You should have seen them running after her!!! And the expression on Stan's face was, let's say.....PRICELESS.

Week in Review

Lehmans household has been hopping this week.

• MONDAY-- Lana had an eye doctor appointment (still 20/25 YEAH!) but blinded by the drops all night long.
• MONDAY-- Austin tutored with Mrs. Thomas. What a difference she is making in our lives!
• MONDAY-- Blake came home for the night (no bombshells/bad news - thank goodness).
• TUESDAY-- McKenzie had her dreaded Columbia appointment (everything looked good - aweful test coming in March). Doctor stated that he has had 99% success with surgeries so far this past year, guess who the 1% was -- US!
• WEDNESDAY-- McKenzie tutored with Mrs. Barley (we just love Mrs. Barley), then off to cheer and tumble class.
• THURSDAY-- Austin had orthopedic appointment. Nothing bad - except prolonged removing of the cast (another 3 weeks to go now - darn!)
• THURSDAY-- Austin tutored with Mrs. Thomas.
• THURSDAY-- Lana had Bunco with the girls. Thanks to Audra for hosting. We had a blast!
• FRIDAY-- McKenzie spending the night with Cameryn. What a good little friend she has.
• FRIDAY-- SLEEP IN TOMORROW (oops, forgot - have a hair appointment early -- darn!!)

Believe it or not I worked the majority of the week too!

Happy Grandparents Day!

Happy Birthday Libby!

Happy Birthday Lil' Sis...

UUGGHHH~!

I have had enough and this was not the first nor the second time......went to the doctor early for a 2:15 appointment and sat NOT in the waiting room but in the exam room for TWO HOURS with a clock that sounded like a leaky faucet....Got fed up and left at 4:30 p.m. Yep, just walked out. I could understand if I was a walk in but I had a scheduled appointment; I was patient for over a week and waited my turn.....How come no other profession makes you wait two hours and we thank them for their time and gladly pay for our wasted time and then continue going back to see them with a smile. Maybe we need an uproar against doctors who are inconsiderate of OUR time or do they think all patients are retired little old men and women who have nothing to do but sit in waiting rooms (maybe that's why we retire, to give ourself ample time to sit in waiting rooms!!).... Does your profession entitle you to make people wait to place an order or pay for your services??.....I would guess NOT.... By the way, I am also looking for a new doctor if anyone can recommend one! (hope I didn't offend any of my doctor friends but you know what I mean too about wasting time in waiting rooms.....just won't admit it)....LOL

Labor Day!

I thought Labor Day was a day to play; usually at the beach or in water somewhere. Stan and I can honestly say we "labored" on Labor Day. We spend the last 5 hours in the yard pulling weeds and taking back our flower beds. What a job! Sam (the dog) even supervised. From the picture you can tell he worked hard too; first thing he did was find the coolest place in the house, nearest a vent where no one would bother him. My sisters would even be proud of the way I look right now (yuck!)......too bad I refuse to take a picture of myself, I would probably break the camera anyway. :o)

Blake's Wofford Bound -- AGAIN!

This says it all.

We miss you - Study hard.

Friends

What a way to start a long weekend - With Friends.

(Mackenzie, Emma and McKenzie)

Homework

I think parents hate homework more than the kids do......Work 9 hours a day then come home and work another 3 hours on homework. And somewhere in there we have to cook dinner too. Calgone take me away...... At least they are willing to get started without complaint (for the time being)......

Back to School Party

McKenzie attended a "Back to School" pizza party last night with friends. What fun -- singing, dancing and Slice It! Pizza. Thanks Mackenzie for the invite.

We Made It

We made it through our first week of school and alls well. McKenzie loves her teacher, Austin is adjusting and thank goodness we have routine again. McKenzie decided to try-out for "Young Little Singers" at Royall Elementary School. This chorus group is made up of 4th - 6th grader at her school and performs at APTS and special event functions throughout the year. Today the big announcement was made over the school intercom indicating who was selected and McKenzie heard her name. I guess crossing your fingers does work after all.....What confidence this has brought her. Congrats McKenzie!

What a week so far-

It has been a couple of days now and Austin's arm seems to be doing as well as can be expected just a lot of swelling still. He doesn't like being left handed but is making the best of it - his handwriting has never been the best but is now down right illegible. Yesterday school started for most of us (not Blake) so we are attempting to get back into a normal routine including homework (YUCK!) and bedtime. Fate also changed my name yesterday to "Grace" as I slide down our back brick stairs into the backyard while attempting to help Austin get ready for school......THANK GOD I didn't break anything although I feel like a complete moron and hurt like all get out today. On a lighter side I caught McKenzie and Dad in a fencing competition with the empty Reynolds Wrap Aluminum container while I attempted to cook dinner.....they got so tickled seeing who could win. It was a draw.......

Happy Birthday Blake!

Remember when? Happy 19th Birthday Blake, my how you have grow up.