Charleston, SC

My mom and sister came to Columbia for the weekend. On sat. we decided to go to Charleston for the day. My mom and sister have never been so I was excited to show them around. This is one perk to living in Columbia. We are only a little over an hour away. Josh had to work so unfortunately he couldn't go. We walked around, did some shopping, walked down to the water, ate at a great place, and of course went to the candy shop. The kids had a great time. Landon got to run through some fountains. At first I had said no since we had no other clothes for him, but after he had to sit there and watch other kids I gave in. He had a blast. Reese didn't go in but had fun watching! It was a fun day and I hope to go back before we leave Columbia!

Mariann's baby shower

My sister-in law, Lauren, and I hosted a baby shower for Mariann (my other sister-in-law) the first weekend of March. It was actually March 7 which is my late grandfathers birthday. So it was a special day for many reasons:) We had a great turnout and a lot of fun. Mariann got lots of gifts for baby Chase. We had great food and fun games. Edla made some great decorations and party favors. She is always so creative! I am lucky to have such great in-laws! Josh and I are so excited to become an aunt and uncle and can't wait to meet baby Chase!

Asheville Feb. 2010

Josh and I went to Asheville for a weekend at the end of February. It was a senior retreat for Josh since he will be finishing up residency soon. It was a great weekend and nice to hang out with all his fellow residents and their spouses one last time. We went to some great dinners and toured the Biltmore. My mom came to Columbia to keep the kids. Of course it is always harder on us to leave them than it is for them. Landon was actually pushing us out the door telling us to go. They always have fun with Tay Tay! Needless to say it was a great weekend and nice to get away with Josh for a couple of days. The Grove Park Inn is beautiful and I hope to go back one day when I can enjoy the spa!

RIP sweet Munson

We lost one of our family members on Feb.21, 2010. Our beagle Munson died unexpected Sunday night. He had been completely healthy and showing no signs of illness. He was sitting up in the room with Josh while he studied and started having a seizure. Within a minute he was gone. It was one of the most horrible things we have ever experienced. Munson was the best dog. He was loving. He gave us hugs. He was so good and patient with the kids. Landon and Munson have become so close. The day Munson died he had gotten in bed with Landon to snuggle. Landon was rubbing his belly when I happened to walk in the room to check on them. I am so thankful I saw this and that Munson did that. He never gets in bed with Landon at nap time. It was like he was saying goodbye. Then that night when we were putting the kids to bed we always have story time in Landons bed. Munson again jumped up in bed with all of us so Reese could pet him. Again, saying goodbye in his own way. Josh and I got Munson a couple of weeks after we got married. It really was like he was our first child. He has been through everything with us and our house doesn't feel right without him here. Everyone in our family loved him so much. Even my gran gran who is not a dog person loved Munson. Munson made every trip back to Ga with us and stayed at gran grans. It was one of his favorite places. He got to roam all over her land and there was always people around. We actually spread his ashes around her property. We know Munson would be pleased with that. Of course all of this was so hard on Josh and I but Landon really took the news hard. He is only 3 so we didn't know if he would fully understand. We told him that Munson went to Heaven and we wouldn't be able to see him anymore. He was kinda quiet most of the day. Then after his nap he started crying inconsolably and yelling he wanted Munson back. It was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever seen. It was so hard to see him hurt so bad. Munson was his bestfriend. Reese didn't understand but did keep asking for "doggy". I don't know if we will ever have as good of a dog as Muson. He is missed by all of us. He was only 6yrs old and way to young to die. Here is a recent picture of Munson and Landon enjoying the snow in SC. We love you and miss you Munson. RIP. 2003-2010.

Valentine's Day 2010

Valentine's Day was a lot of fun this year. The kids woke up to a bag full of V-day goodies. I fixed them some pancakes with hearts in them, we made Josh a card, and decorated cookies. We were a sad that Josh had to work but prepared a great dinner for him to celebrate when he got home. We had home made lasagna that the kids helped me make. We all had a candle light dinner together. It was so sweet and special and the kids absolutely loved it. Landon kept telling me that this was the best Valentine's day ever. He is always so appreciative. Josh gave me a gift certificate for a much needed massage. I can't wait to use it! I got him 2 canvas pictures of him with each one of the kids from Hawaii. It was a special day that we plan to celebrate and make special for the kids every year!

On a side note, Landon can write his name all by himself at 3 years old! When we were making the v-day card for Josh I ask Landon if I could help him write his name. He preceded to tell me he can do it himself. I thought it would just be a bunch of scribble but nope, it was great! I was so surprised and proud of him. I knew they were going to be practicing learning how to write their names in school soon but I hadn't seen anything or heard they had started yet. I guess they have and Landon picked it up really quickly. He is also wanting to read words on his own and getting me to spell everything for him. He is my smart little boy. Reese won't be far behind since she tries to do everything her big brother does. She is so sweet and loves her brother so much. She is his cheerleader always telling him "good job dede" (that is what she calls Landon) and giving him hugs and kisses. I hope they always stay so close.

Snow in SC?

We have heard many times since we have lived here in SC that we will be getting snow. I have stopped believing it because we have never seen a snowflake. Well low and behold we got 8 inches in some parts here! The kids were so excited and had so much fun playing in all the snow. Reese was unsure at first and kept saying "natney" and "gucky" which is nasty and yucky. It was pretty funny but she got over it quickly. Landon just kept saying how he has been dreaming for snow. It was such a great thing to see them so happy and excited!
Since my last post we have listed our house and hoping and praying that it will sell. We have only had one person even come look at it. That is a little discouraging but hopefully things will pick up when the weather gets better around here. It has been raining, freezing cold, or snowing. We love our house here but so anxious to move back home and we don't want this to hold things up when it is time to go!

Reese is potty trained!

My little 19 month old baby girl is officially potty trained! We stayed around the house for the past week working with Reese going potty. Thankfully she was so easy to train. She did not have many accidents and got the hang of it right away. She is adorable in her big girl panties. She likes to pick out which ones she will wear everyday. We have now been on many outings with no accidents. I am so excited to not buy diapers again for a long while. Most of all I am so proud of Reesie. Landon was a big help as well. He would take her to the bathroom when he would go and give her a skittle when she went (in hopes he would get one also, which he did). However, at one point she tried to stand up over the toilet to go just like her brother =). Good job Reesie. You and Landon continue to make us proud everyday!