The McPherson Show: August 2012

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Big News...

We are taking the show on the road! The McPherson circus is moving to.....

We are super excited about this next phase in our lives. This is an incredible opportunity for Andy and we couldn't be any prouder of his accomplishments:) Andy and I had the privilege of going down (without ANY kids!) to visit the school and look around for houses. The staff is incredible and very welcoming. We had a great time getting to know everyone and we feel like we will fit perfectly in this Clemson family.

Before we left Saturday, I ran in my first half marathon...it was no joke! Of course, it was chilly, pouring rain (and I mean pouring at times!) and the wind was crazy. Not a perfect experience for a first timer, but I did well and am very proud of myself:)

Here I am at the start/finish line at 6:30am...it was beginning to rain

I think this is mile 3...I snuck up on Andy apparently;) I think I was just too fast for him;) ha!

At the very end right before I crossed the finish line...I'm trying to run fast here...not sure if I was moving forward though;) I was doing great throughout the whole race (even with the chilly temp, pouring rain, wind and rolling hills) UNTIL mile 11...almost the whole mile was a steep hill...that was sooo not nice at all to do that to us. Anyway, I finished under what my goal time was, so that's all that counts!:)

Right after I finished the race, we went back to my parents house, showered and then jumped into the car to drive 7 plus hours down to Clemson. Probably should have stretched a little more than I did...my legs are still a little sore!

Here is a picture of the football stadium...Oh how I love football!! I can't wait! Apparently one of the doctors has a sick tailgate that goes on pretty much all day and it's right next to the stadium. The other ATC's were saying they were going to have to help find babysitters for our kids so we can spend the day tailgating...um, YES! this will be the first year ever that Andy will be able to attend a football game without playing or working in it:) So excited to experience ACC football with him:)!

We have so moved up in the world...check out those carts...and those are just 2 of MANY:)

We're authorized personnel..woot-woot! Well, at least Andy is, I just tag along for the fun;)

We didn't come away from the weekend with a house (but we haven't sold ours yet either!) but we did come away with incredible friends/co-workers and being reaffirmed that this is where God has placed us. Praise the Lord for he is good:)!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Hanging in there

Today we officially welcomed in fall...I know, I know, you are thinking, Catherine, it's still August!! Yes, that is true, but today was the first day of football preseason. We said "hello" to football and "bye-bye" to daddy :( With the start of football every year comes all new challenges and excitement to our little family. We looooove football here in this house so we are thrilled with this time of year. The girls enjoy going to HSC's games and getting to "help" daddy with "the boys" after the game. Let's just face it, when your house is scheduled and based on a certain sport (football then basketball), you just have to embrace it and all that comes with it. So as well as being extremely excited for football (tailgating anyone?!!!), we also face challenges. We face the challenge of balancing time. With Andy being gone a lot during football season, we have learned to cherish those little snapshots of time we have with daddy. Despite being gone a lot (I joke that once football starts I am a single mom until Basketball season is over in March), Andy is an incredible dad who gives every ounce of attention and love to his girls when he's home. They are not lacking in love, play or attention from their daddy! (am I a lucky girl or what?!!). So, with all that being said...Fall has arrived (in the form of 114 young boys...what?!)...and how are we doing??

We are hanging in there! :)

Happy Football season and may your favorite team win :)

Monday, August 6, 2012

Mary Cate turns ONE!!

Happy FIRST Birthday Mary Cate!!

Mary Cate on August 3, 2011

Mary Cate on August 3, 2012

(enjoying her birthday on the beach!)

MAry Cate has brought so much joy to our lives. She is a constant bright spot in our day. She has an infectious smile that is always on her lips and a squeal of delight always ready to be offered. Here are some tid-bits about our vibrant, passionate, happy little one:

She loves her older sisters and just lights up when they look her way.
She wants to be with them so much that she began walking at the ripe age of 9 months (save us please!).
She does NOT stay still and is constantly trying to run.
She loves to climb and will climb up over you if you bring her into your lap
She LOVES grapes! Bananas are a close 2nd...
She is super friendly and will stare at you until you look at her and then her face lights up into a huge smile.
She is my longest and leanest baby (by far)
She is a great sleeper but sometimes is too busy for a few of her naps
She is a squealer...oh.my.lord...watch your ear drums
She LOVES it when you sing to her
She might be getting some red hair...if so, then it will match her personality;)
She loves the outdoors and will do anything to get out there
Swinging is an absolute favorite!
She still HATES her carseat...she is doing a bit better though now that she's in a big girl seat...still tries to avoid it like the plague
She will wave bye-bye and say "ba-eye" to you once you are gone
She says "nigh-nigh" and waves when she sees her room
She climbs up our stairs before you can even blink
She LOVES balls...she's even known to dribble a little ball for a while
She sometimes undresses herself in her crib if we don't get her up right when she starts talking
When she is sick, you hardly notice it...

So, since her birthday happened to be our last day at the beach, I thought it only appropriate to have a beach themed party:)

I made some "beach" cupcakes

and some "ocean" cupcakes

we also had blue jello beach scenes (complete with octopus on the bottom of the glass)

Heres the final product

and of course we had pizza...

checking out her birthday candle while we sang

looking at us all like we were crazy!

"uh, mom, what do I do? Why are they all looking at me and singing?"

She caught on very fast;)

she just sucked those fingers...front and back! I think she likes sugar;)

Oh yum! Look at that bite!

She's loving it!

Bring on the cake!

Time for presents!!

We love this little one and feel so blessed that she is a part of our lives!

WE LOVE YOU LITTLE MC!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Kiawah 2012 (pt. 2)

Sometimes Kendall just needs a little snuggle...okay, okay, she ALWAYS needs a "shhhnuggle"...and Papa was completely willing to let her join him while he rested

MC doing the wave...

apparently MC loves her tongue and thinks everyone should love it as much as her...she spent the majority of the time out on the beach with her tongue out or on her upper lip...she's a mess...

Kendall and those glasses are at it again...she kept saying "I'm a mermaid, I swimming like a mermaid!" Oh goodness...

having quality time with daddy

Okay, here is a picture progression for you...

Mc playing in the sand completely happy...

within a second she starts crying and throws herself face forward in the sand...

side view of the upset little one

once she's done crying, she rolls over and gazes off in the distance...careful not to look at mom...oh boy...

K and Daddy hanging out in the tide pool

stopping for a quick picture after a dip in the ocean...all smiles of course;)

Alley holding one of "her" starfish...the whole time she is telling me how much it is tickling her

here it is trying to escape

Recently Alley has been begging us to get her a bike. We thought the beach would be a great place for her to try one out and for us to see if she really wants one or is just saying it. Well, she actually really wants one...all she wanted to do (whenever not at the beach) was to ride her bike. I guess it's time to start searching for one!