Festival of Lights!

Michael and I got to spent the weekend with Jennifer down in Charleston last weekend! 

We had so much fun, except for Michael getting an ear infection while we were there. He was so pitiful. 

Friday night, we headed over to James Island Festival of Lights! The weather was beautiful, and we were able to get out of the car and walk around. 

 Michael was really excited that he got to ride up front with us, to look at the lights!

When we got out to walk around, they had this carousel for the kids to ride. He was pretty excited! 

 Jennifer rode too!

 It's hard to see, but Michael is standing in front of that tree. 

 Some of the beautiful lights!

 Ravenel Bridge in lights

 And then the old Cooper River Bridge!

The rest of the weekend was spent in our jammies laying around. It was so relaxing, and great, to just hang out and catch up with Jennifer. She's moving up here soon, so that may be the last time we get to go down there!

A Day at the Zoo

Last Friday, on our way to Charleston, Michael and I stopped in Columbia to go to the Riverbanks Zoo. We had never been there, and we get 50% off with our Greenville Zoo Pass. Our pass expires this month, so this was going to be our last chance to go.

The weather was beautiful! 80 degrees in December. I was actually wishing we had worn shorts!

With the map, leading the way!

The Zoo is incredible, and we had so much fun. It was not crowded at all, which was nice.

The first stop was the kangaroo walkabout! I could believe they were right there!

Michael with a wallaby

The kangaroos were napping

Next were the Gorillas! I couldn't believe how big they were!

My favorite part was getting to feed the giraffes! That was so cool! I couldn't believe we could do that. Michael fed them too, and didn't hesitate for a second, even when their long tongues were reaching out for more lettuce.

There was also an area to feed the birds. We went it to watch first, to see if Michael wanted to do that. But after he saw birds landing all over another lady, he thought it would be good just to watch. Haha!

In the barnyard area, Michael got to practice milking a cow!

I think Michael's favorite part was the carousel. He loves the one at Disney, so to be able to ride one, not at Disney was pretty cool for him.

We also spent a lot of time in the Reptile/Aquarium Building. He loved looking at all of the snakes, but made sure to ask if there was Glass between us, so they wouldn't bite! They even had sharks!

We had so much fun at the zoo and we probably could have stayed even longer. If only we were closer, we could get a zoo pass for that zoo too.

Thanksgiving 2013

We celebrated Thanksgiving with my family on Sunday before thanksgiving. We had great food and a great time. Mom planned some fun games for everyone and I brought the bounce house again for the kids. Everyone had a great time. And the adults liked the Thanksgiving Bingo more than the kids did! Too bad I didn't take any pictures :(

On Thursday, we got up at home, for the first time in three years. We are usually in Georgia with Andrew's family, but this year, they decided not to host the big thanksgiving. We were all a little bummed about that.

So, Andrew's mom and dad went down to Florida and spent thanksgiving with Amy and Mike. Of course, Abby and Maggie went with them.

So Andrew, Michael and I spent thanksgiving at home, and then went to eat lunch with Granny. It was a nice lunch and I'm glad we were able to do that.

When we got there, the parade was still on, so Granny and Michael watched the rest of that. 

 Then it was lunch time. 

After lunch, we headed home for naps. Andrew is the only one that actually napped. So Michael and I watched a movie.

Since we ate lunch early, we decided to go to Waffle House for dinner. It was a great ending to our Thanksgiving!

We drove around to look at all those crazy Black Friday shoppers. We couldn't believe the Walmart parking lot! It was completely full, and so was every parking lot around it. And there was a line of cars trying to get in! I was glad that I didn't go shopping. But it's not like I even considered it.

Huge Giveaway!

Head on over to Mix and Match Mama's blog and enter this giveaway! 

Lucy's Blanket & Hat

I made a special blanket for my new niece, Lucy. Sarah requested "butter yellow" and ivory.

I am really happy with how it turned out. I decided for the hat, to put a pink flower, so it would show up a little better than the yellow would.

Gray & White Crochet Baby Blanket

My MIL asked me to make a baby blanket for her take to a baby shower. I was happy to make one. 

They requested blue and white or gray and white. I started on a blue and white one with yarn that I already had. Well, I ran out of the blue and couldn't find anymore at the store, so I had to start all over and decided to get gray and white. It got a big chunky yarn that was super soft. I figured it would be a good winter baby blanket. I really like how the gray and white turned out. I've never used gray before, so I was pleasantly surprised. It was very "boyish". 

And I had enough yarn left over to make a little hat. It's perfect for those newborn days, when you want to make sure their little head stays nice and warm. 

MIL said that the blanket was a big hit at the shower and they all loved it. I'm so glad!  

Halloween 2013

We started Halloween week off by carving our pumpkin. 

Michael was really excited about carving a jack-o-lantern. 

But he didn't want anything to do with touching the guts. 

Them he kind of lost interest while we were cleaning it out. Once Andrew started the actual carving, he came to check out what was going on. 

The finished product!

We got to celebrate Halloween on Wednesday and Thursday. 

Wednesday afternoon we went to the Halloween party at the library. They had snacks and a costume contest and fun activities. Michael was most excited about all of the cookies he got to eat! 

Wednesday night was trunk or treat at Grandma and Papa's church. 

We walked all the way around the church and then hung out in the back of Papa's truck. 

Henry and Zoe were there too! 

On Halloween day, we went to Granny's for their fall festival. They had a bounce house, costume contest, trick or treating, and face painting. Michael was only interested in bouncing in the bounce house. After they put it away, he decide to get his face painted. 

He chose a fish or as he called it, "Nemo." He sat so still the whole time. This was he first time getting his face painted. 

After Granny's, we went to Mimi and Papa's house for trick or treating around their neighborhood with Maggie. 

All ready to go. 

They had a great time together. 

It didn't take long before he was done, and ready to head back to the house. He had a bucket full of candy and I think he was ready to eat some of it. 

We had a fun Halloween and Michael really got into saying "trick or treat" and was so excited about all of the candy!