Clogging Fall Spectacular

 The girls didn't get to have their clogging showcase this year due to covid, so they held an outdoor performance last weekend. It was a beautiful day outside, and we enjoyed getting to see them perform again.

Tropical Storm in Georgia

 Tropical storms happen all the time along the coast. Tropical storms from the Gulf do not keep their tropical storm status when they reach Woodstock. But since it is 2020, tropical storm Zeta did just that.  We had downed trees and debris all over the place.  Schools across the state closed in preparation, and it was a good thing because many lost power. 

 

Our driveway had a tree down across it, but our neighbor had it cut apart quickly.  It wasn't like we could go anywhere though.  The street was blocked by a downed tree, and it took the powerline down with it. 

It was like the shelter in place orders were back.  We took family walks to check out the damage around us. 

The girls fixed the sign that was twisted in the high winds.

The tree was finally cut, but we ended up being without power for 3 full days. We found dry ice for our freezer, but by the time we needed to replace it there was no ice or dry ice to be found anywhere.  Thankfully we were able to borrow a generator from someone who's power had already been restored. I can manage without power, but I hated to lose all of the food in the freezer.  We took hot showers at my mom's house, and the girls showered at a friends house one night. 

We did schoolwork at the Windham's one day.  It's hard to do your homeschool days with no internet. They were gracious to have us over for most of the day and even feed us lunch. 

Kayla and Lilly worked on math one evening by lantern light. 

This was the perfect time for Macy to do her science fair experiment.  She was testing different insulations to see which one would be best to prevent houses from fire damage. 

We were also responsible for bringing chips and queso over to the Windham's for dinner.  I wanted to take the easy way out this year, especially with the power outage.  Marc decided he wanted to make queso from scratch.  There was no power, so he improvised and cooked it on the grill.  It turned out great, and I was impressed!

 Three days later, on Marc's birthday, our power was restored. We survived with the help of family and friends.  2020 sure is full of surprises!

Fall Happenings

 We've still been sticking close to home these days. Macy cleaned the pool one last time before we closed it up for the season.  

Marc fixed Brooke's roller shade that had been stuck halfway up for over a year.  It turns out she had been playing with some pennies on the window and they fell down in the door.  They blocked the roller shade from working.  All is fixed now. 

Riley enjoys going for joy rides. 

The Windhams came over while their parents were out of town.  We took them to get Bubble Tea and check out the scarecrows downtown.  It started to drizzle on us, but these two really wanted to see the one from their dance studio that their teacher helped design. 

When rain spoils the bonfire and smores plan you go to plan B - roasting marshmallows over the grill. 

The younger 4 made an epic tent in the basement.

School days continue.  Macy almost always works on this couch, and she usually sets up some sort of spot for Riley.  This time she had a throne, complete with a pillow staircase. 

Date night at Queenie's. 

Medical Professionals Day

Mia came over after a math test one day.  The girls work really well together getting schoolwork done.  They eventually needed a break, and this is where we found them. 

 Trick-or-treating with friends. That's a ridiculous amount of candy!

My burrito and giraffe. Kayla and her friends are "too old" for costumes now. 

It has been a fun fall season!

Hillcrest Orchards and Burt's Pumpkin Patch

 Clogging performances don't happen nearly as often these days, but we are always excited when the girls are able to get out in the community and clog together. 

They did awesome, and volunteered to step in for almost every routine as needed.  The directors complemented them on their willingness to keep stepping in and for coming prepared by knowing the routines.  I am super proud of them!

Hillcrest Orchards gives each performer a half bushel of apples as a thank you (along with a few other goodies). This was our first year to have 3 cloggers on stage, so we came home with a bunch of apples.  I ended up taking a bunch to my co-workers, and in the end, the deer were given the last dozen or so. 

Kayla wanted to go to a pumpkin patch, so we drove just down the road to Burt's Pumpkin Patch.  We haven't been there in years.  The girls enjoyed picking out some pumpkins and eating a funnel cake. 

 The rain held off and we enjoyed a wonderful day in the North Georgia mountains. 

Fall Break in Charleston - Part 4

 We spent our last morning in Charleston visiting Boone Hall Plantation.

 

The oak trees with Spanish moss that line the drive is a favorite of mine.

We took time to visit each of the slave cabins.  The displays and information presented in each cabin were so well done.  It is hard stuff. We had some great conversations about what life was like then and now. No matter how much you think you know about life during this time period, there is always something new to learn, reflect on, and grow from.

After the plantation and lunch, we headed to downtown Charleston to wander around and check out the market.We enjoyed some gelato as we walked along the river.

Sure enough, this one managed to find some water.

 

 

We took one last evening stroll on the beach.

Once it was dark enough, the girls enjoyed hunting for crabs.  We managed to catch about a dozen of them.

  

 

Before heading out of town we took a detour to see the Angel Tree. This tree is estimated to be 400-500 years old, and is often thought of as the oldest tree east of the Mississippi River.  It was amazing, and huge.

 

We began our journey home with some happy and tired girls. We are so thankful that we were able to get away safely during this pandemic and enjoy some time making family memories.