Richmond Trip

This weekend the girls and I went to Richmond to spend some time with Mimi and Papa. Of course it didn't hurt that this weekend my parents church had a lot of fun events planned...like a carnival that included a bounce house. Can we say the girls were in heaven?!;) It was a very full, but extremely fun weekend.

On Friday we ventured out to the Children's museum, which is a favorite in our household. Mimi and Papa take the girls there every time they are in town and that is ALL they talk about. When are we going to the Children's museum? When are we going to see Mimi and Papa and go on the merry-go-round? So, Friday was my first experience with the infamous CMoR...I was not disappointed! It was great! Now I can see what the obsession is all about:)

The girls absolute FAVORITE thing to do there. Alley says she always rides the reindeer...doesn't she look happy:)

 Mary Cate was in heaven as well. She loves anything that rocks and she was so proud of herself on her little horse:)

All three girls...Kendall was not excited about sharing her horsey for a photo-op...

Alley putting the muffler back on the car...she said the car needed a little work;)

Apparently, baby's are allowed to nap on the work bench in the car shop...according to MC

Kendall giving the car a little oil...or pepto...whatever;)

In the cave...I was reminded that bats lived in the cave and that I needed to stay quiet so we wouldn't wake them up...because they smell...ooooookay...

riding the dinosaur...all fun and games:)

Look who hatched today...

we've got another!

doing a very intensive archeological dig...(or however you spell it)

the teacher hard at work..

she must have scared off all her pupils...or it's recess time...you decide;)

MC giving us a math lesson...no MC, the beads are not for eating...let's not practice subtraction;)

Alley teaching MC how to deposit money...

the crazy ambulance driver is at it again;)

On Saturday we put on our new Clemson shirts, in spirit of the Clemson/FSU game, and went up to the church for the festivities.

The older two getting in a few grins before adding the wild card;)

All three...this is as good as you get ladies and gentlemen...and that is all she wrote;)

Enjoying the "bounce-o-lean"...so much fun:)

Alley getting a tiger painted on her face....she said she wanted to be like daddy...Andy, do you have a tiger painted on your face?! Hmmmm...

Bam! There you go....interesting...

Papa getting to "go swimming" in the dunk tank. The girls wanted to "throw balls at papa" but got tired of waiting in line and decided the "bounce-o-lean" would be much more fun. Whew;)

hmmmm, you're such a good sport papa:)

We had a great time escaping to Richmond and joining in on the wonderful festivities...looking forward to the next time:) Question is, are yall ready for us again?!;)

Picture Perfect...

...or so I'm told by Alley and Kendall. This pose is the pose of choice for these two little budding Divas. Whenever I pull out the camera, they run up to me and strike this pose and say,"take a picture with me with my hands on my hip and head?" Whaaaaat?!?! 

Here are Alley and Kendall on Kendall's first day of preschool. I had to force them to get somewhat of a normal picture, but their hands seemed to still sneak up on their hips;)

And just to prove its not a fading pose...this is a month later...still our hands are on our hips.

Oh well;) Maybe one of these days we will move past this stage...but until then..."I put my hands up on my hips, when you dip I dip we dip..." ;)

And she's off...

We've got a big time Preschooler on our hands!

Today was Alley's first day of Preschool! And she was so excited to go meet new friends and learn some "new stuff" this year. She attended this preschool last year, but this is her first year as an "official" preschooler;) Every day for the past several weeks (more like months!) she's been asking, "When am I going to school again? Do I get to ride a bus? Who's going to be in my class?". This girl can't wait to leave the nest;) 

I still can't figure out where the time went?! Wasn't this picture taken just yesterday?? How can she be ready for school?

 Here's the big girl already "writing" in her journal as all the students arrive. Right after this picture she asked me, "are you staying all day mom?", I said "no", and she then told me.."ok good, you can leave now"...WHAT??!!

She had a great first day and is looking forward to tomorrow! Kendall starts her 2 day a week "preschool" tomorrow...we will see how that goes;)

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:)!

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 :)

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!