Charlie had to work so wasn’t able to be there for Jeff’s celebrating at the racetrack, so the next day he and his girlfriend Sydney brought lunch over for us after church. We had a great time with them, too.

Jeff’s 70th birthday was November 15, and the kids came up with a huge surprise for him. We all headed to the other side of Charlotte, where Jeff rode around the track at the NASCAR track there. He absolutely loved every minute of it, and we all had so, so much fun. I got this picture of him and Andrew as they were standing in line to get Jeff helmeted up to get in the car.

Coming back after his ride was over. Afterwards we went to eat lunch at Mac’s Speed Shop. So, so much fun.

I have not been on this computer in six weeks, I don’t think, so am trying to get a little bit of catching up done while I have a down day today. It was about the middle of November when the Bearcats lost in their second playoff game. They were pretty big underdogs, so we weren’t surprised, and we were so proud of the season that they had. Here are a couple of pictures from the game.

Earlier this month the state football playoffs started, and Adam and the Rock Hill Bearcats were in. Their first game they played Spring Valley. We had beaten them pretty solidly in the jamboree game to kick off the season, and that turned out to be the case again. Obviously not a great picture, but Adam is in the middle of these three Rock Hill players.

Talking to him after the game. He was a little bit disappointed that he didn’t get to play more, but we learned that if a team is leading by 42 points in the third quarter, they play the rest of the game without stopping the clock. We were sure proud of how good they played.

Every year the Rotary Club hosts a big Veterans’ Day Program at our church, and the Choraliers from the high school come and sing the National Anthem. This year I happened to be at a meeting there that morning, so stayed to listen to the kids sing. They did an amazing job, as always – and I got this picture of Clara as they were filing out to go back to the buses.

We have such a good time every year at this reunion. It is so precious to be able to count on having this time to catch up. Meg is sitting down in this picture, who isn’t technically a blood cousin, but almost. From left standing are me, Sherri, Teresa, Peggy, Patty, Carolyn, Andy, Boo, & Julian. Amy was taking the picture, and Patty’s husband Bill was also there. Zollie & Susan are still working, & not there are Lulu, Beth, and Jackie. We keep hoping to get all of them there some day!

The first Monday in November is always our Snow cousin reunion at cousin Carolyn’s house in Snellville, GA. That Sunday before all of us siblings who are going head to Sherri’s to spend the night. It is just such a highlight of the season for us all. This year our cousin Teresa, who lives about an hour away from Sherri, has finally started moving into their old homeplace that they have been renovating for two years, while they lived in their motor home there on the property. It has been such a long, long process – way longer than they were told to expect when they started – but the house was built in the early 1800’s, so they had to have specialists come in to do the work to preserve the integrity of everything. It is absolutely beautiful, and I can’t wait to go back and see it when they are completely moved in. This mantle had been stored in the barn for a long, long time, and the experts told her that, since it had never been painted, it was one of the most valuable things in the house. It really is just lovely.

I loved the kitchen cabinets she chose – they look so much like the ones I remember being in my great Aunt Vinie’s house when we were growing up.

Jeff had said he wasn’t going to put up any Halloween decorations this year, but then he ended up putting up quite a few. It looked great when everyone came over for the bonfire & hotdogs and s’mores. I just got a couple of pictures.

A couple of weeks ago I headed out to Lindee & Jackson’s house to see Clara all dressed up for the Military Ball that evening. She looked so, so pretty. Here are a couple of pictures.