Taylor wants y'all to know: I love everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was bound and determined to get a pix on this blog. For our annual Boo at the Zoo trip, Isabella was a groovy girl, Charlton a Carolina Football Player and Victoria a Carolina Cheerleader. I wanted Isabella to be Cocky but of course there was more than a little resistance:) She is 9. Yes, we were among the 10,000 people the weekend of October 20th that attended Boo at the Zoo. We have the perfect way to do it. Just ask if you need to know how not to get caught in the middle of the 10,000 people and be one of the first 15people in 10,000 to be through the gate. It's great and the kids love it. Isabella informed us that this year wasn't as fun as years past. I had to explain that it was the same as the last 5 years it was her that was changing. Well, I've had my blogger fix for know and will try and check before bed so post a comment if you read - I get excited for some reason. Charlotte

Halloween

Hey everybody! Enjoyed seeing everyone yesterday at B's party! I made a comment in reply to Charlotte's comment on my first posting and then I realized that everybody doesn't necessarily read the comments. I wanted to share that Allie is going to be a pink flower for Halloween--her first Halloween. We are just going to take her around to a couple family members' houses just to show her off. I probably let her have a blowpop. Just kidding! Just wanted to freak Aunt Marilyn out for just a minute. She thinks I'm too laidback with Allie! Whatever! Anyway, I want to know what Isabella, Charlton, Victoria, Parker, and Taylor are dressing us as! I need to learn how to do pictures on this thing. I think Charlotte and I are the official blogaholics!

B's Big Bash: the recap

B's Big Bash was a blast! Thanks to all who were able to make it to the party. It was great to see so many people who love grandmama. She had a wonderful time and enjoyed visiting with friends and family.

Late, as usual

Hey y'all! I'm just now viewing the blog. Y'all know I'm slow. Brad, Allie, and I are doing well. I think I finally have a job! I interviewed twice this week with Newberry Mental Health for a position as a school-based counselor at Newberry Middle School. I'm excited! Can y'all imagine--my skinny little white self "counseling" adolescents who are twice my size?! I can do it though. I have faith in myself and hope y'all have faith in me too. I absolutely cannot wait to see everybody tomorrow. This will be the first time in a long time that ALL of us will be under one roof. I love all of you! Allie is 10 months old today. She got her flu shot this morning and did not even flinch. She's a mess--into everything. She points and laughs out loud at people so don't take it personally if she does that to any of you, it means she likes you. She's trying to walk but would prefer to run. She's fast when it comes to crawling! Anyway, I can't wait for everybody to see her. Love you all!

Mountains

What a marvelous time we had - forunately no accidents in the car or out of the car take it as you will. Of course, something had to happen - I lost my keys. Fortunately everything worked out and Margie brought me home and I was able to get my spare pair. Margie and I had a good time - the ride was beautiful home. By the way this is Charlotte creating Marilyn's blog. Hopefully she(mama) will be able to do this on her own in the future. Can't wait to see all Sunday! Marilyn

The Hill's

I am between giving baths and checking e-mail. So these may be short, sweet and stupid, especially during the week. It feels like we run in eat, bath, sleep and start again the next day. Like all famiies with school aged children, we stay busy- times three. Between both girls in dance(different days) and Isabella and Charlton in violin(different days) and in the Spring we will throw in Soccer, hopefully Charlton and Victoria can be on the same team that Pete coaches (advantage of Irish twins and a husband that likes soccer). We stay busy on the weekends preparing for the upcoming week doing laundry and running errands. The children are doing great in school and love it- maybe not Isabella because she's getting to the age where she doesn't like to much. Watch out here comes puberty. GREAT! But she does do well in school. I am blessed that my children have Pete's brains and sometimes my personality. They truly grow up before your eyes. I can't believe Isabella is 9, Charlton 6, and Victoria 5. I know that you all stay busy also but this is a great idea. I hope to try and keep up with my blogs. This weekend we will be partying down. Isabella has three birthday parties in one Saturday. Thank goodness for small classses and togetherness. She has twin boys in her class and they are having their party with another boy in the class. Praise lord, I can knock out 3 in 1. It seems that birthday parties monopolize weekends and seem to get more and more different and elaborate. Victoria had a party last weekend at the Fair. Not being big Fair supporters I was very reluctant to let her go but she did and I stayed with her, of course. I'm not very supportive if the Fair and the fact they pack up and move around and that the rides are really safe. We did see The Refrigerator and he has aged and truly wobbles when he walks. Well I'll stop babbling for know and start washing some more clothes, bodies, floors, toilets and whatever else needs to be done. Thank goodness Pete does homework - whew! Can't wait to see everyone this weekend! The Hill's - Charlotte

B's Big Bash

Just trying to coordinate what we still need for the party. The cake has been ordered, and we have fall colored tablecloths and napkins. Suzanne is making lots of tea. We still need:

• plates
• forks
• cups
• nuts
• mints
• pitchers for serving tea & water

Let us know if you can provide any of these items. We are planning for about 100 people, although we really don't know what to expect. Gina designed and purchased the invitations that were sent to out of town guests, and Mel had it included in the church bulletin. Aren't they pretty?

Hey, y'all!

This morning during church as our pastor was preaching about Brylcream Faith (a little dab'll do ya), my mind wandered. I realized that I get regular - monthly, weekly, or even a couple of times a week - email newsletters and announcements from a lot of entities: American Institute of Architects, USGBC, HHI-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, Girl Scouts, book club, Classmates.com, Sunday School, Furman, Lowcountry Young Professionals, Victoria's Secret, Linens 'n Things, Quiznos, LL Bean, and the list goes on!

My point is, I know what's on sale at Victoria's Secret, when the next Girl Scouts meeting is, Furman's football record, and Quiznos' deal of the week, but I know very little about what's going on with all of you. All I know is what gets passed through the grapevine, and I don't always listen well. And sometimes they think they tell us stuff, but they don't remember who they have and haven't told! So, why aren't we using email with our family like we do with everybody else???

I was just interrupted by my lovely husband who suggested a blog instead of emails. I think that's a pretty good idea, so let's give it a try!

I suggest that every family post on this blog once a week or so to fill in everybody about what's going on in your lives - a good grade on a test, rehearsals for a big performance, planning a vacation, growing vocabulary, a new dress at a really good price, anything just to stay connected. If there is nothing "special" going on at the moment, just say hi, or drop a line to say that you're really busy, you've eaten fast food all week, and your grass is knee high.

This should be pretty easy to use. If you received an "invitation" you are invited to be an "author," which means you can create posts. If you are commenting on a something that someone else posted, you should just "comment." New posts should be created for new subjects.

Let's give it a try. I do not have email addresses for the following people, so if you know them, send them to me so that I can add them as authors and send them an invitation.

Lili, Jamie, Charlotte, Pete, Vilai, Jared, Sarah

Looking forward to seeing everyone next weekend!

love, Ree