Halloween At The Chace's

We had a great Halloween this year. Our neighbors were kind enough to have a pizza party for the trick or treaters on our street. Once the kids bellies were full we were out the door to trick or treat. Even though it rained it didn't stop the kids fun. We had a gangster, skeleton, vampire, witch and two gypsies.

Sandy went as a Daddy.

Katlin and Carol.

Daniel the skeleton was not in costume yet.

A witch with an Orange Crush mustache.

Len and Jaye Visit!

Grammy and Grandpa made their annual October pilgrimage to SC. Even though the weather was cold and dreary we had a great visit. The boys were out of school for fall break. So, we took Len and Jaye to Reedy Falls for lunch at The Falls View Cafe.

This view is beautiful in ANY weather.

What a picture!

Le getting snuggles watching a football game.

Sunday we took a road trip to Skytop Orchard in NC to pick apples. As Scott Carlson would say, "It was a long run for a short slide." It was an hour drive. Once we got there we realized everyone within a 100 mile radius had the same idea as us. The wind was blowing with gust up to 40mph and it was only about 45 degrees. (Did I mention Daniel didn't bring his coat?) We were able to pick 1/2 bushel of apples in less than five minutes. Then stood in line for 30 minutes waiting to pay for them. (Note to self: Skytop apples are delivered to Publix WEEKLY....) The day wasn't a total loss. We were able to pick up two bottles of wine in NC (You can't buy alcohol on Sunday in SC.)before heading home. We only had to stand in line 5 minutes to pay for those. Once home, we uncorked the first bottle, turned on the Patriots game, and Jaye, Le, and I made one of the best apple pies I've ever tasted.

Too bad this picture isn't a video to show how quickly we were yanking apples off those trees.

Where is Waldo?

Len redecorated while he was here. In the middle of a football game he gets up without saying a word. Walks outside. Walks around the pool deck picking up various tables. At this point we are staring out the window with quizzical expressions on our face. He finally finds a table he likes and walks back in with it. Not saying a word he puts it at the end of the sofa. Sits down, leans forward to the coffee table, picks up his drink, sets it on the "new" table and says, "THERE! That's better."

Wet Hair!

This is what happens when Daniel goes to bed with wet hair.....

Girls Weekend!!!!!

Erica and I took our annual Girl's Weekend this past weekend. Last year we took both of our families on a Disney Cruise. We had so much fun! So this year we went without them.......Sounds mean doesn't it? We broke the news to our boys by telling them it was an "adult" Disney Cruise. (And It was in OUR cabin.) Dan wanted to know how an adult cruise was different. I told him you have to read a lot. From that point on he didn't have any interest in going. This was one of the most relaxing trips Erica and I have done in a couple of years.......Since Puerto Vallarta :) We napped, sipped wine, read, napped, gossiped, sipped wine, shopped, napped. You get the picture. It was GREAT! While we were in Nassau we went and checked out Atlantis Resort. We are going to try and take both of our families there next year over fall break. Next year we will celebrate 25 years of friendship. Here's to 25 More!!! Our first night of R and R.

Erica on the balcony. (Erica, I tried to download pictures I have of us on the balcony of our hotel in Sarasota, FL. in approx. 1990. Do you remember those? They look so much like these two pictures it cracked me up. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it work.)

Me on the balcony.

Straw market in Nassau.

Our view at Serenity Beach. (HEAVEN!)

Drinks on Serenity Beach.

Too funny!

Day At Death Valley

Ina and Colin bid on a Clemson package at a silent auction and graciously invited us to tag along. The weather was very iffy but it didn't stop us from having fun. We tailgated for a couple of hours before the game. It was a relaxing fun time. Thanks to Ina for all the great food and drink. Ina showing me some of the southern graces she's learned since leaving PA.

Sandy's "Dead Body Friend" Colin.

DBF forever!

Ina even brought a birthday cake to celebrate my b-day!

The Boss proves he's called "The Boss" for a reason.

OMG! What a night! Most of you know I'm a huge Bruce Springsteen fan. HUGE! What you probably don't know is I'm raising a Bruce lover in Daniel. He too has become a huge fan. Sandy and I bought tickets to take the boys to see The Boss at the Bi-Lo center. This was my third time to see him, Sandy's second, and the boys first. Bruce had his A game on. Sandy, the boys and I sang and danced the night away. Bruce played for three hours. Le and Dan were tired Thursday morning but they wore their t shirts to school as bragging rights. Daniel's principal told me Daniel said, "I can listen to Bruce all day but I can't listen to him all night. I'm tired!"

Daniel could hardly contain himself.

I kept trying to get a picture of Dan dancing but he would catch me and stop. This was as close as I could get.

Niles, Clarence, and Bruce.

Truly, The Boss!

Clarence and Bruce.

Side note: I was a bit let down when the E Street Band came out and Mighty Max (drummer) wasn't there. This kid sat down behind the drums and proceeded to blow my hair back. Come to find out this is Mighty Max's SON. The kid just turned 19 last week and he's the best drummer I've ever seen. Sheer bliss was on this kids face and pure passion came out of those drums. He was as fun to watch and Clarence and Bruce!

Labor day weekend

We spent the weekend up at the lake with the Cottinghams. The weather was awesome. I'm sure you guys get tired of seeing the same ole post but we have so much fun on the lake. Sunday we had Barbara, Kevin, Stephen, and Patrick along with Blair, Windsor and her family a couple other couples up for dinner. It was a great mix of people. A lot of laughs. Colin, Le and Patrick taking a group tubing.

Me, my "dead body friend" Barbara (One night several years ago Sandy and I were talking about how lucky we were to have good friends. And how friendships were different. Scott is Sandy's best friend and Erica is mine. But we decided Barbara and Colin are our Dead Body Friends. These are the friends that we could call up and say, "Look, I need your help. I have a dead body in my trunk. I need you to help me get rid of it. Don't ask any questions. And never mention it again." And that is exactly what they would do.) and Blair.

Barbara is not a lake person. This was a big step for her to take a ride on a jet ski.

Patrick rowed that canoe all over the lake.

Adult beverages, cool lake water, noodles and life vest to float on. Life just doesn't get any better.

For the first time ever we let Le drive the jet ski by himself. He thought he was the bee's knees.