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!