McGann Life: 2014

So we got back from Louisville Thursday night, woke up the next morning, and headed to Clemson for the spring game. We hadn't been to a spring game in 3 years. Mercy was about 1 last time. The kids were so excited to go and see the campus (again) and of course, to see the Tigers! It was a fabulous weekend and the weather was great! Since I had everything already packed and ready to go, we were able to get on the road fairly early.

To start, we stopped in Asheville to eat lunch. There is a great (clean) burger place to eat off of the exit where Carla lives and the prices are good, too. Really, it's just a touch more than we would pay at McDonalds...maybe like $5 more, but totally worth it. And the kids get ice cream with their meals...they even gave Mercy hers for free! The people there are nice and pleasant, too. It is now my place to stop when traveling! :)

Ryan and the boys

Mercy sporting an old Clemson shirt (size 24m) that Josiah wore!! I keep all Clemson stuff to pass down!!

Mercy and I

Ice Cream brings happiness and giggles......

Another shot in Asheville after we went to Charming Charlies! Yes, we went to Charming Charlies and I got a much needed new purse. No more suit case for me!

windy in Asheville shot

We arrived in Clemson and headed downtown to go to some of the shops before closed. We each got something. (I got a shirt. Ryan got a new MUCH needed hat. His old one was pretty crusty and stained...no exaggeration here. Josiah got Clemson notepads. Aedan got sunglasses. Mercy got pom-poms.) We checked into our hotel and then headed out to explore some of campus.

First stop: Death Valley

The boys, especially, were soooooo excited to see the stadium again. They thought it was cool three years ago, but this time was different.

Love this shot

Tiger Statue poses:

You may call us crazy, but we took the kids to the Clemson library. Josiah was amazed at all the books and totally loved the fact that it had 6 floors!!! (My study floor was always the 3rd floor. I never liked the feeling of being underground. hahaha) Josiah had fun pulling out books and glancing through them. He was cracking me up!!!

So excited about all these BOOKS! Gigi would be SO proud!

Looking at more books and Aedan striking a pose!

Even Mercy was into the books.

Josiah doing some light chemical engineering reading!

Yes, we took a lot of family shots!

at the reflection pond

Aedan in his new sun glasses!

Going crazy in the amphitheater!

They love doing silly shots!

We headed to Seneca for a light dinner at Ye Old Sandwich shop. The kids liked their famous sour cream and chive fries! :) We headed back to the hotel and slept well. I was still recovering from lack of sleep in Louisville!

The next morning we headed out to Walmart to get Aedan socks! (Yes, that I forgot to pack!) The kids enjoyed looking through the Clemson section. I am a bit envious of all their Clemson stuff! The kids all got small things. Josiah got a Clemson folder, Aedan got a really cool tiger winter hat for only $5 (on clearance), and Mercy got a beaded Clemson necklace. We headed out to Lightsey with really no set plan for the morning. We saw DaShaun Watson (the upcoming quarterback...now our second string since Kelly was kicked off the team) at Lightsey, but Ryan didn't want me to bother him so I didn't get to get a picture of him with the kids. We snapped a shot by our old apartment stairs and then headed over to Littlejohn to get a picture with the tiger.

When we went to Littlejohn, we found this instead:

SO FUN! A field day for kids! A FREE field day for kids. It was put on by the Athletic Department (I am assuming). Various Clemson athletes were in charge of the different stations. The track team was out there, soccer, rowing, and basketball (in the dunking booth). The kids had to complete all the stations, and then they received a t-shirt. They also got a back pack.

hula hoop time!

A picture with the baby tiger!

tug-of war

soccer

football throw

rowing

all three rowing :)

So a couple weeks before our trip, I spoke with one of our former teenagers, and he mentioned that Tajh and Sammy would be at his family's store on the Saturday of the orange and white game. Long story short, Brandon's plan was to get us into get a picture and met (very quickly) Tajh and Sammy. After we left the field day we went over to the store (Knickerbokers) to see if we could get into see them. Unfortunately, there were too many people there! Yes, I was a little star-struck! I think the boys were, too. We decided to go eat lunch and then come back to check out the crowds. I got this picture of Tajh and Sammy, though, just in case! hahaha

Brandon, Jonny, and Ryan

Okay, so we went over to TD's for lunch, which is just across the street from Knickerbockers. AND, who did we see there? DaShaun Watson! They same player we saw over at Lightsey earlier that day! Okay, seeing him for the second time totally meant a picture was going to happen! He got up from his table (with his family) and went up to the bar to talk with some older gentlemen. As he went back to the table I grabbed him (well, not really grabbed him) and asked if I could get a picture with him and the kids. Of course he said "yes"! So here's the picture!!!! I'm sure we'll see him play some this fall, especially since Chad Kelley is now OUT!

DaShaun with the kids! Yes, he got the memo to wear Clemson apparel

Ryan and I at TD's

The kids with Ellington stuff!

So, we headed back over to Knickerbockers after lunch, and yes...we got our picture with Tajh and Sammy!! Tajh was happy to know that I am from the 757 like him! hahaha! And he totally recognized my famous high school!!! Everyone from the Badnewz area knows Denbigh! hahaha

Still on Cloud 9, we went to Bowman field. Ryan played some football with the boys and Mercy and I walked up to Tillman and took some pictures.

Mercy's silly shot!

Mercy loves taking pictures with flowers.

Mercy and her "big daddy"

And finally, to the Orange and White game! We met up with Ryan's parents and Tannya's kids for the game. It was super hot, but super fun to see the tigers!

Stretching beforehand

Our family shot

about to run down the field

woohoo!

C-L-E-M-S-O-N!
(only backwards!)

Josiah with Mercy's pom-poms!

Mercy with a Clemson cheerleader!
I went down and asked one of the cheerleaders to take a picture with Mercy. She climbed right up and I put Mercy on the wall. The cheerleader let Mercy hold her pom-poms! Mercy was so excited and said it was her favorite part of the day!

After the game we ate dinner with Ryan's family and then headed over to a friend's house to visit.

The next morning we still had a few places to take the kids. We went to the baseball field and it was open!