Barely getting by

This leaf caught my eye several days in a row as we pulled into our driveway.  It was the only leaf left on the tree and looked like it was holding of for dear life.  Lately, I feel like I can relate!

Miley Concert

We waited and waited and the day finally came for the Miley Cyrus concert, Olivia's 'big' birthday present.    Marina and Julia came down from Greenville to go with us.  These girls have been buddies since they were 8 weeks old.  (Marina and I didn't know it at the time, but we were next door to each other in the hospital - Julia's birthday is the day after Olivia's.)  They had their 1st, 2nd and 3rd birthdays together in Greenville.  So, this was a special treat for them to be able to celebrate their 8th birthdays together again now that we're back in South Carolina.

Olivia and I sent Will and McIver off to the Clemson vs. Carolina football game (didn't turn out so well for Clemson, but I think McIver had a good time hanging out with his dad).  Then we headed out to buy a little something special to wear to the concert.

Marina and Julia arrived about 3pm which gave the girls plenty of time to decorate the car.  (I'm still driving around with "Miley's #1 fan, Don't Walk Away, Party in the USA, Miley Rocks" and peace signs all over my windows!)

McIver and Will were home in time to take a picture of the four of us before we headed out to an early dinner at Hooligan's.

Doors opened at 5pm and we got there with plenty of time to spare... and shop for over-priced souvenirs.

They actually didn't do that bad at the souvenir stand - we caved and let them get the blinky Miley glowstick (at least it had Miley's concert tour logo printed on it, but next time we'll go to the Dollar Store and bring our own glow sticks!) and the back-stage pass (if only it really worked!)

While we waited for the show to start, Marina and I joined the Miley Cyrus 'mobile club' so that we could sent a text for the jumbotron.  Olivia told me to text "We're your #1 fans!!!  Olivia & Julia" and we all giggled and screamed when it appeared on the jumbotron.  (I'm just noticing as I type this that 'your' is misspelled - I assure you that my phone did that and I was just too distracted to notice!  How embarrassing!?)

Miley's brother's band, Metro Station, opened for Miley.  We were a bit taken aback by the greasy hair and nasty tattoos all over his neck and arms, but we hoped that the appearance kept the girls from listening too closely to the words of the songs.  Thankfully, they only played about 5 songs before it was time to reset the stage for Miley.

Our seats weren't too bad - we could see some of the behind-the-scenes action so that was pretty neat.  We couldn't see the whites of Miley's eyes, but could definitely see her and the dancers (way impressive).  Of course, Miley's trying to break out of the Disney mold, but Marina and I wished she had worn something other than leather panties during the entire concert.  Some of her dance moves were more suggestive than we would have liked, but probably no more so than what we saw when we were their age (hello, Michael Jackson with the hip thrusting!).

Miley sang most of our favorite songs - Breakout, Fly on the Wall, Party in the USA and others.  And, she also had a few tips of the hat to Michael Jackson, a little Boom Boom Pow and even I Love Rock & Roll (so nice that she played something the moms liked again!).

Clearly, the girls had a great time.  After what seemed like a sweet-forever trying to get out of the parking lot, we drove the girls oh-so-slowly through Five Points with the windows down so they could sing Party in the USA to all the Gamecock fans wandering the streets.

Marina and Julia spent the night and stayed for breakfast on Sunday morning.  Olivia had so much fun and was so glad to see her buddy again.  We'll definitely be seeing more of them now that we're so close.    We're hoping to get them together again during the holidays.

Thanksgiving 2009 in Murrells Inlet - Friday boat ride

We just had to get out in the boat one more time before heading back to Columbia.

Olivia at the wheel.

Tex loved, loved, loved the beach.  He just ran and sniffed everything.

Happy children in the sand.  Can't wait to get back this summer when we can stay longer and it will be warmer.

Great beach find!

Tex wasn't sure what to think about the waves that attacked him every time he took a sniff.

One happy boy on the beach!

Thanksgiving 2009 in Murrells Inlet - Friday

Will played golf Friday morning with a big crowd from Myrtle Beach, so GranGran, Kelli and I took the children to Broadway at the Beach.  We had lunch and then took them to ride a few rides.

It was too cold for ice cream, but they couldn't resist having their picture taken at Ben & Jerry's.

Amelia LOVES a merry-go-round, so that was her first stop.  Olivia, of course, wanted to do whatever Amelia did.  She'll be a great babysitter one day!

McIver was disappointed in the rides - he knows that there's a 'nostalgia' area with bigger rides, but Amelia wouldn't have been able to ride anything.  He made do with this Frog Hopper, even though he could have climbed up the pole faster than the ride went!

I promised the children a trip to It'Sugar - a huge candy store.  Each child filled up a tube with colored/flavored sugar.

Just what they needed before a long car ride home!

Thanksgiving 2009 in Murrells Inlet - Thursday

Once McIver discovered the creek bed, he was happy to just explore.

Olivia & Amelia on the porch playing with Tex (who had moved on to more exciting things).

Tex found his spot in GranDaddy's lap again.  I love the look on JuliAnna's face - she wasn't quite sure what to think of Tex.  She has two cats at home, Daisy and Maddux, so she's not so used to dogs.

Will and Olivia borrowed Uncle Sammy's boat for the day so that we could enjoy the beautiful weather. Everyone was so excited to get out on the water.

Tex's first boat ride - he doesn't have his sea legs quite yet, but he did love the beach when they stopped by The Point on the way home.

Mamoo was glad to have the chance to hold Jenna.  She's a sweet, sweet baby!

Holding Tex came in a distant 2nd to holding her great-grand daughter.  But Tex didn't mind playing 2nd fiddle - he stayed in Mamoo's lap for a good long while.

Will, cousin David and brother Jay (far right) manning the turkey fryer.

Thanksgiving 2009 in Murrells Inlet - Wednesday night

We loaded up the car for our trip to Murrells Inlet, SC for Thanksgiving with the Merritt clan.  Olivia and McIver had pretty much forgotten how great the creek house is because it has been so long since we had been there.  Once we arrived, though, it didn't take long to get settled.

Walked along the boardwalk while we waited for our table at CreekRatz and spotted this giant 'fish' just waiting for a photo with Olivia and McIver.

We had a great table at CreekRatz - right near the chalkboard room.  Not quite as entertaining as the sandbox at Lupe Tortilla in Houston, but pretty close!

Let the turkey prep begin!  Will fried two turkeys this year.  He used the marinade that he's always used and also made his own this year.  Both were delicious!!

While Will tended to the turkeys, GranGran had some help making the place cards for the Thanksgiving table.  We had almost 20 people so it was quite a job.

McIver even joined in the fun.

Tex found a spot in GranDaddy's lap and made himself at home.

"Feline" Groovy

Charlotte has started a blog ... "Feline" Groovy.  Not really, but she has discovered that if she is up and out of Tex's line of vision (on the counter, desk or on our bed), she's a much happier kitty.