It's snowing in the Pines!

We got SO much snow yesterday! It was amazing and beautiful. I think we got over six inches at our house. It started really snowing around 7 and didn't let up until around 4. We had a great day. We had Tristen and Keller (T's little brother) and they got up around 6:45 and got all bundled up in their camo jumpsuits. They were so cute. We all went outside and played in the snow, made a snowman, threw a few snowballs and just watched them all. The dogs had a blast! They were all so frisky.


Around ten, Troy took us for a country ride through the woods. We got out and hiked through the woods and Troy set up his hunting blind (getting ready for turkey season. Tristen and Keller hung out by the truck throwing snowballs. All of the trees and leaves were so beautiful glistening with snow!

A New Squad!!

Cheerleading tryouts are over!!! Finally! This has been one busy, hectic week. Not to mention nerve-wrecking. We had the parent meeting Monday night and clinic from 3:30-8 Tues, WEd, and Thursday nights! Really, GMS was from 3:30-5:30 and GHS from 6-8, but most all of mine stayed for extra practice.

Whew, yesterday I was a crazy person. Next year I'll take the day off. I ended up taking 16 cheerleaders for our middle school. And we have a LOT of work to do! I'm talking about teaching what a correct high-V is. I had to look for potential. Can't wait to see how they are in two months! Varsity took 20 girls. Kim will have her hands full! She did get seven GREAT girls from my squad last year, though! I will really miss them!

I'm looking forward to a great year! It seems like another sweet bunch of girls!

Greenville Middle School

Greenville High School

Best Wishes Autreys!

One of my best friends is moving! :( Olivia and Russell are headed to the Eastern Shores. Russell had a job opportunity down there that they couldn't pass up, and they are always down that way anyway during the warmer months on the boat.

When I first moved to Greenville, Olivia befriended me and made sure I wasn't lonely or sad, even during the worst times! She and Russell let me tag along to Auburn games, parties, eating out, anything. They babysat CoCo and she just loves Auntie Liv. Mrs. Nancy, her mom, let me be part of the Greenville Area Arts Council's first big production, Puttin' On the Ritz, which introduced me to many more "Greenvillians."

I will miss doing Yoga together (even though I haven't been in forever), dance classes, midweek dinners and just hanging out! (tears...) But I will look forward to traveling down south to visit them and getting together when they come home to visit their parents! I think it's been their dream to live near the water and I wish them the best in this next chapter in their lives! I love you guys and hope 2010 fulfills many more of your hopes and dreams!

Smoky Mountain Getaway

Troy, Tristen, and I just got back from the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! We had a great time! We stayed at the same cabin I rented last year (in Wears Valley) from Saturday until Tuesday. We had planned to go to Dollywood, but it was closed on Monday and Tuesday so we missed it.

Saturday night we went to Gatlinburg and looked in all the cute shops, drank hot caramel-apple cider, and then rode the ski lift. The view was amazing! Sunday we went to Cades Cove and saw a ton of wildlife. I bet we saw over 100 turkeys and deer. We even saw two bucks fighting! Troy says they were in "rut." It was a little sprinkly so we had a picnic in the car! We relaxed that night at home in the cabin and had spaghetti and then chilled out in the hottub.

Monday we wanted to go to Dollywood, but they were closed (I was SO mad because I checked the online calendar and didn't see that). So instead, we rode around, rode go-carts, shopped at the Pigeon Forge outlets, and headed back to the cabin for a bonfire and roasting marshmellows. That night we went to the Dixie Stampede, a dinner attraction. They served an arena full of people roasted chicken, potatoes, soup, corn, and apple pie dessert (you had to eat with your fingers) while we watched a Christmas performance (they were on horses and told the Christmas story). It was a lot of fun!

Tuesday morning we went riding horses on the mountain side. It was so much fun--made me want a horse! But I was sore the next day from riding! We ended up leaving a day early because I was afraid I wouldn't get everything ready for Thanksgiving (at our house). It was a nice, little family trip!

Troy would kill me for posting this!

Roasting marshmellows at our cabin's firepit.

While walking around Cade's Cove, we found this barn and Tristen had to climb the haybales.
Wild Gobblers!

Turkey Roasting & Carving 101: Roasting Tips

I like this one! For the novice turkey-roaster, such as myself...
Turkey Roasting & Carving 101: Roasting Tips

Hot Artichoke and Asiago Cheese Dip Recipe

Doesn't this look tasty...I subscribe to this email daily. Lots of good stuff!

Hot Artichoke and Asiago Cheese Dip Recipe

National Peanut Festival

Mom called earlier this week and wanted to take Tristen to the National Peanut Festival fair, so he and I left Saturday afternoon to meet them. Rodney's daughter and son-in-law and their precious children were there also, as well as his parents, so we had a house full! Tristen LOVES to visit there. He can go fishing, ride the four-wheeler, and just talk to Mr. Rodney.

We left around 4 for the fair and had a blast. It was COLD!!! Forty-five degrees! My favorite part was the petting zoo and the pig races. Tristen had fun with all of us! We really missed Troy, who had to work :( boo. Tristen shot the bb-machine gun and won a gigantic dragon. We ate roasted corn, boiled peanuts, pizza, and of course, funnel cakes! We had a good time.

Sunday afternoon we went to Grandmama's to celebrate her 91st birthday! Her birthday is November 3rd. She is doing great and getting along reasonably well for a 91-year old. Everyone was there, including Susan's family. Bo and Blake are too cute!

Riding the Himilaya

Tristen riding the mechanical bull...

Shooting the BB/Machine Gun to blow the star out..

The gigantic dragon prize