Here's the whole family in all our hiking garb. We were soo exhausted when we were finished. We were out there for about 5 hours (including 1 hour break for nursing). Going down was almost more difficult than going up because it was so hard on the joints. Yes, I just complained about my joints--I know, we're getting old.

As you can see, Tivon decided to take matters into his own hands and started climbing up the mountain by himself. This was the very top-- over 3100 feet high.

I got the backpack with the food and supplies while Josh carried Tivon the whole way. It's always good to slow Josh down so that I can keep up. Tivon is a whopping 13 lbs now so that was no easy feat!

Aren't the boys too cool with their shades.

It was almost straight up for 2 hours until we got to the first amazing view. This is where we took a break to feed Tivon. Much better nursing with this view rather than sitting in front of the TV!

Hi ho, hi ho . . . it's off to Table Rock we go!

We ventured to the mountains this last weekend to go hiking. Here's a picture of the steep terrain.

The score is now 5 to 1. As we were getting ready for church, Josh was changing ti's diaper. Not only did Tivon spring a leak, he was able to spray all over his own face. You should have seen the shocked look. Then I quick dunked him in the tub while Josh cleaned up. I handed ti over to josh and rushed to finish getting ready only to hear, "oh my gosh, seriously." Tivon had made an even bigger fountain and sprayed outside of the crib onto josh--he's got a nice arc on that thing.

And people say that Tivon doesn't take after Josh. I know I've seen this face in the morning.

Carnage . . .
Please, oh please forgive me! I did not mean to start a food chain revolution. I now realize the error in speaking so flippantly in my last post. I did not know the power of my words.

As I was getting ready for bed with an ever watchful eye, I saw the first of two deaths for the evening. The lizard met his demise at the evil paw of Shalosh in our bedroom. The other death was the cockroach in our living room. A human hand and a can of Raid took care of it. Now to battle the ants.

Leapin Lizards!

So we're having a food chain experiment in the house. We've been infested with ants, roaches and lizards. Shouldn't it follow that Shalosh eats the lizards who eat the roaches who eat the ants? Apparently this logic is not panning out. I spent 30 mintes the other day with a cardboard flap "guiding" the lizard to the door. Shalosh steps on the roaches but doesn't completely kill them so it's just toture. Shalosh also plays with the lizards and takes them to our bedroom. Won't that be pleasant when one of us wakes up with a lizard on our face. Finally the ants. Nobody takes care of the ants except the exterminator and he wasn't so successful. Maybe the problem is that the roaches are in the living room; the ants are in the bathroom; and the lizards are in the kitchen. We need to get everyone together and see what happens.

Happy Halloween!
Tivon made a pretty cute kitty cat or bulldog (depending who you asked). After walking down town, we greeted trick or treaters at our house. We were a little disappointed with the turnout until Josh pointed out that we had more trick or treaters than at my parents' house ever had (adding up all 30 some years!)

Landon is all tuckered out. We went to Moe's to watch some of the game and feed my insatiable hunger.
What cuties! Love all the school spirit with the orange!
That's a keeper. Grandma tried out the sling--Ti's preferred mode of transportation.

Homecoming festivities

It was Homecoming for Clemson and boy oh boy did we get to experience things firsthand. Tickets were going for about 200 bucks but I don't think they were necessary to get the feeling of Homecoming. For starters, on the way to the stadium, a frat boy stumbled and tripped over a chain fence. I mean it was dark, I'll give him that. The problem was that we're pretty sure he was shicks kabobed on the way down. Amazingly, he stood right as if he oculdn't feel a thing. Hmmmm.

Then we stood right outside the gate where the players enter. Wow, I'm not sure I have heard such inane words uttered. Otherwise respectable young women squealing, "I can't believe I'm going to be this close to the football players." And strapping young men claiming that they were going to sneak in amid the 50 cops that guard the gate. Anyway, it was a fun time had by all and really gave Ellie a good first college football experience.

All the proud parents.

As soon as everyone arrived, I knew something was arry with Ti. He must have been intimidated by his bruiser cousin Landon. :) Ti had a growth spurt on the spot as reflected in this pic. Okay, maybe this is distorted a bit, but Tivon did have a growth spurt that had mom feeding him for almost 3 hours straight one night!

The Lees Come to Clemson . . .

only to get back on the road and travel an hour and a half to an apple orchard. You see, I had this brilliant idea to go to this Apple Orchard/Pumpkin Patch with the cousins. I thought there would be ample photo opps for sure. Well, after the Lees arrived at 1:30 am, they graciously got up and drove to the orchard. I thought it was only going to be 45 minutes away; however, it turned out to be an hour and a half. Apparently, not far from where they had considered stopping for the night just 12 hours earlier. Alas we did get some good pics. BTW, the apple cider was only served on the weekends and the pumpkin patch was nonexistant. But hey, look at the beautiful view of the mountains.