Sam's First Award

Today Sam was given the "Terrific Kid" award by the Kiwanis Club. The Terrific Kids program provides teachers with a tool to reward students for special achievements that may otherwise go unnoticed.

TERRIFIC is an acronym meaning:

Thoughtful Enthusiastic Respectful Responsible Inclusive Friendly Inquisitive Capable

We are so proud of him! That's his little head in the middle row on the left.

Here are a few pictures of the boys on a hike we took on Sunday. We hiked along Lawson's Fork Creek near our house with our neighbor, Mr. Mike.







Here they are on a huge granite slab that we explored for a long time. You can see how narrow the creek is on the left. Mr. Mike told us that in the early 20th century, there was a trolley that traveled over this stretch of the river. Why was there a trolley? It took the mill workers from their homes to downtown Spartanburg. You can still see some of the metal bolts sticking out of the bedrock.





Also notice the boys with the walking sticks that their Grandpa made for them.




Hangin' around at the Chesnee Elementary Fall Festival

Long Overdue Update

It has been way too long since we updated the blog. Here are a few random pictures since the last update:

2 Power Rangers!

Power Rangers with face paint!

The boys at a Fall Festival

Making cookies with Granny at the Duplers' Annual Halloween Party

Hudson loves making cookies

Power Rangers at the Greenville Boo at the ZooHudson taking a ride at the Fall FestivalMore face paintingThey look like futuristic cowboysHudsons' class at the Pumpkin Patch
Sam and Hudson on the first day of school

Best Buddies

Sam with Ms. Duckett and Ms. Parris

Granny and Grandpa came to school for Grandparents Day Breakfast
Avery's birthday at the Nature Museum

This is from our last camping trip of '07

Slugger
Little Slugger
Panthers Training Camp

Panthers Training Camp

Great day at football practice

Edisto Island '07

We just came back from our vacation at Edisto Island. Even though Tropical Storm Barry cut the trip short by a day, we had 6 incredible days of weather. Here are a few pictures:

Sam in the kayak in Beaufort the day before we got to Edisto. He told me that is was "exhilarating". Yes, he really said that and yes I had to spell check the word.

The view of St. Helena Sound from our back deck. Amazing sunsets on our side of the island.The boys building "crab houses".

Eating lunch between a morning at the beach and a trip to the pool.


Our main pool at the Village.

The boys at the Sunset Boardwalk.

Here they are searching for shells on a private island. We took a boat ride from Captain Ron to this beach that had thousands of shells on it.

This Angel Oak tree is in the back yard of the house where we stayed last year. Sam calls it the "picture tree".

Another beach picture. The weather was perfect and we stayed at a great condo. Can't wait to do it again!

The Duplers and Williams get (Holly)Wild

Hudson's birthday weekend didn't stop with his party. On Sunday, we went with Kim, JL, Helena, Ron, Nina, and Kathryn to the Hollywild Zoo in Inman. It was a perfect day and we had a great time. We ate a picnic lunch then went on a safari ride before feeding the goats.

Happy Birthday Huddie!

Last weekend Hudson had his birthday party at the Spartanburg Swim Center. He had a great time swimming, eating cake and opening presents. He hasn't been in a pool for a few months but he showed no signs of rust, he was like a little duckling!

Avery and Uncle Danny

Emmie and Uncle Greg

Baby Tiny Hot Kendall and Mr. Mike

Baby Tiny Hot Kendall and Ms. Olivia

Look up here!

John Lawrence and Aunt Kim

Swim buddies

Sam gets a sweet kiss from Avery

Party Room

JL likes cake