In Search of the Perfect Pumpkin...

We took the kids to the Trinity United Methodist pumpkin patch to look for that perfect pumpkin. They wanted to find pumpkins that were just their size so they could have "arts and crafts" day by painting them. We did find 4 great pumpkins. Daddy, MacKenzie and Mason all painted theirs while mommy kept hers to carve for later.

I think this one is too big!

OK, I think we found the right one!

Mason is concentrating hard on his masterpiece!
It's going to be perfect!
The finished products!!

What A Difference 2 Weeks Can Make...

Last Saturday we enjoyed a cold, rainy, but fun day of Clemson football. Our team looked MUCH improved compared to two weeks prior! Hopefully, we'll play that good against Miami this week...we'll have to, to even stand a chance!! :)

We had a great time tailgaiting with Bonnie and Jeff as always!

McIlwain Family Reunion

This past weekend we went to the McIlwain Family Reunion in Columbia, SC. It was the first one in about 10 years, so it was very interesting to see how our family has changed and grown in the past decade. This is my dad's dad's (my Poppi) side of the family. My Poppi and all of his brothers and sisters have passed away and the only one still living is my grandmother who is 85 years old!! There were a few that couldn't make it, but we had a great crowd and a lot of fun. The kids got to enjoy some crafts and paddle boat rides. Although some of the rides didn't make it very far!!

The McIlwain family has certainly grown and we now have many members in its 4th generation!!

The whole gang, minus Jarrod who is taking the picture!

My Mimi and the 2nd generation of McIlwains

The 4th generation of McIlwains (except Jamie who is really a 3rd gen)

My awesome Mimi, Dad and Sister

Me, Lauren, Susan, Beth and Jamie

The paddle boat that went nowhere!!

Aunt Beth and Jamie

My tired little buddy!

Happy Fall Y'all!

We spent most of our weekend playing outside and just enjoying the beautiful fall weather. We planted some pansies, played on the swing set, and watched some not-so-great football. But, that's the life of a Clemson fan!! :)

Beach Weekend at Edisto

We spent this past weekend on Edisto Island with 3 other couples. We had a great time with NO KIDS and lots of laughs! We did a lot of fishing where we caught all kinds of different little fish, 2 sting rays, and a blow fish. We also did some crabbing with the hopes of making homemade crab dip. We trapped a lot of crabs, boiled them, cleaned them and prepared all the crab meat. But then we chickened out and didn't eat the crab meat!! Oh well...it was worth the "experience". We also played games and just acted like a bunch of teenagers at times.

Chris and Kimberly also played a little joke on Jarrod and Jamie and presented them with official Obama shirts. You can see from the pictures below that they just LOVED them...haha!

Jarrod's 1st fish

Kimberly's fish on the "Lightening McQueen" rod!
The blow fish Kiimberly caught in the crab trap!!
Mean Crab!
me and Kimber before putting live crabs in boiling water!
aaahhh!

bye, bye crabby!

Jamie and I reinacting the lift from Dirty Dancing! Wow!
Chris trying to be Rambo

What a cute couple...and soon to be parents!
The sting ray Jamie caught!
me and Kimber hangin' out by the fire
Josh and his dead squirrel!
Jamie and Jarrod and Obama!

A Day of Fun at the Lake

This past weekend we spent one last day at the lake before it got too cool. Jarrod and his brothers wanted to celebrate their dad's birthday by taking him out fishing. So the 5 Councill boys set out early to go fishing on Lake Hartwell while MacKenzie, Gran and I enjoyed a relaxing girls morning having manicures and pedicures. We all met for lunch at Charlie T's on the lake and then enjoyed an afternoon of fishing, skiing and riding on the boat. The guys tried all day but did not catch a single fish...although they claim that the "big one" just got away!! I even went skiing for the first time in at least 2 years!

First Friday Parade

We took the kids to the First Friday parade where we met up with several friends. Stephanie and Tripp were there with their little boy, Cole, and Brooke came with Bailee. It was so much fun being back in Tiger Town with old friends. We didn't renew our season tickets this year, so it was kinda bittersweet. We'll still enjoy a few games this season, but this is the first time I haven't had a guaranteed ticket to the games in 30 years!!