45

I am not sure what is going on with blogger but I hope I am not getting ready to waste my time typing this post and it not work.  The format seems to have changed and at my age I am pretty resistant to change.

Before I get started:

LA Update
She is still pregnant as this is being typed (Friday, April 20 11:00pm). 
**Correction - Highlights From Jan - March 2012**
We will have 3 kids within 3 Years, 7 months and 11 days (Providence Record)

45
I turned 45 today.  Nothing real pretty about those numbers except that I have lived long enough to see them.  I posted here about turning 43 (which I think is one of my finer posts and you can get your history lesson from 1967) and told you that there wasn't much to get excited about after 43 and still hold that belief.  I am officially stuck in the middle for the next year - equidistant between 40 and 50 which isn't a bad thing because next year 50 is officially right around the corner.  You can't even flip them and feel better about how old you are - 54.  However, I am grateful for everyday that I have been blessed with thus far and each day going forward.

I want to give a shout out to my friend Jeremy who I share my birthday with.  I thought that I was the only one born on the April 21 until I meet Jeremy.  If I have to share my birthday, Jeremy is a good choice.  I hope you have a great day...You want to change birth years?

Before I get to far along, I wanted to give a big Thank You to my good friend over at I'm Just Sayin' for his shout-out.  As he mentioned, we haven't known each other very long but I have laughed with him more that most of my friends and I think enough of him and his wife to that I convinced LA to have another baby (the one that is just minutes/hours/days away) so we both would have 3.

There are two things I think about when I here the number 45:

1. Colt 45 Malt Liquor 
2. Colt 45 Handgun

Colt 45 Malt Liquor
I can testify today that in my 24 years of being of legal drinking age that I have NEVER tasted a Colt 45.  The reasoning is simple it's malt liquor and comes in a 40oz bottle.  Let's be honest, if you have to drink it out of a brown paper bag it can't be that good. It's 3.33 normal beers in one bottle and as my mom would say is nothing but "horse pee" (she says that about all beer and how do I know? I have had friends drink it and have smelled it).  It is currently owned by the Pabst Brewing Company (a beer that I have tasted and agreed with my mother that it was "horse pee"...sorry Greg.  Greg is right when he brings Pabst to a party, he doesn't have to worry about anyone stealing his beers).

Colt 45 Handgun
I can testify today that never in my life have I held a Colt 45 handgun.  I am pretty sure I wouldn't know a Colt 45 from a Colt 44 or Colt 46 (I would be able to pick out a 357 Magnum because of Dirty Harry,  a Uzi thanks to Bruce Willis and a M16 thanks to Tony Montana).

A few facts about the number 45:

• The sum of all the digits of 4 and 5 is 9 and 0+1+2+3+4+5+6+7+9 = 45
• I grew up with 45rpm records (for most of my reading demographic, you have no clue what I am talking about...stop by the house one day and i will show you a few of them and the record player they played on)
• A soccer match is two 45 minute periods (much longer that I could last unless I played goalie)

Famous Athletes Wearing The Number 45

• Michael Jordan - after his return form retirement / his number 23 had been retired by the Bulls / He was near as magical in the 45 so he switched back 23 when they unretired his number 23
• Bob Gibson - Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher
• Pedro Martinez - Baseball
• Tug McGraw - Baseball
• Cecil Fielder - Baseball
• Jeff "The Judge" Davis - Clemson Football / Ring of Honor
• AC Green - NBA Basketball
• Chuck Pearson -NBA Basketball
• Rudy Tomjanovich - NBA Basketball

Not So Famous But In Honor Of His Death

• Adam Petty - died in accident at New Hampshire Speedway in a practice session.  After his sons death, Kyle Petty took over driving the number 45 until he retired.

Highlights from Jan - March 2012

If there is anyone still checking for updates today is your lucky day.

• My first shout-out is to my goddaughter/niece Meghan.  She turned 21 today.  She is awesome and Aubrey loves her very much, calling her "my Meghan".  I will add Aubrey and Wyatt's video message to her tonight.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  WE LOVE YOU!

• My second shout-out is to my niece Katie who is awesome.  She turned 15 on March 8th and got her restricted drivers license.  After looking through the GA drivers handbook, I realized I might not be able to pass the test, if I had to retake it.  Good job, Katie!!!  WE LOVE YOU!
• If your using the countdown clock - subtract 2 days (see below,  I am too lazy to change them...actually, I think I have forgot how.)

Highlights from Jan - March 2012

• LA is still pregnant 
• Since January 2008 (4 years, 3 months, 24 days) she has been pregnant for
• 30 out of 52 months
• 120 out of 225 weeks 
• 840 days out of 1575 days
• We will have 3 kids within 3 Years, 7 months and 11 days (Providence Record)
• The spread will be - Aubrey - 18 months - Wyatt - 25 months - Baby 3
• However, Baby 3 was served eviction papers last Thursday and has until April 24 at 6AM to exit LA's belly under their own power.  If still residing in LA's belly at 6:01AM on 4/24, all necessary steps will be taken to remove Baby 3   
• We still do not know if Baby 3 is a boy or a girl - (If there is any truth to the heartbeat theory, my guess is that it's a boy.)
• Names - We have the girl name selected and have for quite a long time but a boy name is still up in the air.  It is looking more and more like a game time decision, if we have a boy.  Can you leave the hospital without having an official name?  
• Why so difficult for a boy name?  LA has shot down most of my favorites:
• Cash (Cash Carter has a good ring to it)
• Boone (It's not just a dog's name (see below))
• Trae/Tray (for being number 3)
• Corey Wyatt Carter II (I like the name Wyatt.  Bet that has never been done before - call them Wyatt 1 and Wyatt 2...we might have to move to W Va for it to be legal)
• If you want breaking news on Baby 3, you should follow me on twitter (k_carter) or facebook or keep checking out the blog or if the final contract gets signed this week before Baby 3 arrives you will be able to get the details and first pictures here. 
• Aubrey and Wyatt are sharing a room now.  It went much better than expected.  We figured they would talk to each other all night.  Except for the occasional "Wyatt, Wyatt, Wyatt" in a very soft whisper from Aubrey, it has been very quite.
• Wyatt is in the process of potty training and is doing very well.  We couldn't have two in diapers full time so LA put him on potty boot camp during spring break.
• Wyatt had his 2nd Birthday which was supposed to be and outdoor sports theme party and due to the weather it turned into an indoor gathering.  We even had the pinata indoors which means someone is getting hit with the stick in the family jewels.  Uncle Waylon and I held the stick with the pinata and he took a shot to the ribs for the team.  Fortunately, we were on our knees or that hit would have been a crippler.    
• I am beginning to realize why everyone thought we were crazy for having number 3.  We could have been finished with diapers, bottles, bibs...etc.  but now it is getting ready to start all over again.  However, we are looking forward to it.  It will be interesting to see how Aubrey and Wyatt take another addition to the family.  My take today is that Aubrey will roll with it and Wyatt is going to struggle because he struggles at times with just Aubrey getting attention from us.
• Congrats to our friends at Courtyard (Jenn and Clark...I think Jenn and I are on a quest to see can blog the least in 2012 - Greg has run away with the title for most post for 2012) on their newest addition, Timothy Bryant.  I got to hold Bryant at the hospital before LA (that didn't go over real well BUT I actually was in the area at a lunch meeting with DCSO and decided to stop in to see Bryant and complete a covert operation to inspect the baby rooms at Summerville Medical Center and see if any changes had been made because I thought I had heard they remodeled but it's still all the same as when Wyatt was born...In 2 years, I was expecting 45" flat screens in the rooms and something better for me to sleep on - wishful thinking)  Seeing and holding Bryant was exciting to again hold something so small that is dependent on you for everything.  It was hard to remember in only 2 years what it was like to have a child so small again (with Aubrey around 40 pounds and Wyatt around 30 pounds, while holding a child 7lbs 7oz, you almost don't realize you holding them).
• We had a great Easter and got to spend some time with Meghan.  She came up on Saturday, endured a birthday party, filling Easter eggs, a couple of meals with the kids, and hiding Easter eggs.  We also exposed her to our favorite tv show - see below.  Not sure when she will be back but we  hope soon.  

• Duck Dynasty - This could be one of my top 10 shows after only 6 episodes.  Just the career day episode alone would have sealed a top ten ranking.  Phil is the founder of the family company (Duck Commander) and is as country as country gets BUT has some very good life lessons for his grandchildren and us.  Don't miss another episode - set your dvrs. You can thank me later.
• Speaking of country - Coon Hunting
• The Ulmer clan (minus Scott's brood) held their 1st annual Christmas/New Year camp-out on the 191 Acres.  I am working on a new name but that one will have to suffice for now.  LA and I have a tent and we have used it 3 more times than Tim has borrowed it (1) and one of those it was setup in the house.  Anyway, since LA was with child and to give her brothers something to give us city slickers a hard time about we brought our air mattress (a double that is double height). Our tent is large enough to sleep an Army division comfortably.  After LA got the tent set up...it was a pretty normal camping adventure - eating hot dogs cooked over the coals, stories, and laughing but the highlight of this camp out was the Coon Hunting trip led by Master Coon Hunters Mike and Hayes and their dog Boone (not sure if that's the dogs name but it sounds like a good coon dogs name).  Aubrey and I loaded up in Gator with Uncle Wesley and two or three kids in the back.  Our first treeing wasn't exactly what we were looking for.  The dog holed an armadillo (for the everyone reading this that doesn't know about coon hunting this is not good because it means your dog doesn't know the difference between an armadillo and a coon)  As Mike shot into the hole, I realized one thing I had not considered, Aubrey asking questions.  "Why is Uncle Mike shooting the armadillo?"  It was a bad armadillo "Why was it a bad armadillo? It was messing up the fields and the questions continued but not for long because they released the dog again and in no time Boone had something treed.  Upon arriving at the tree where Boone was barking up a storm, we began looking for the coon.  In the oak tree about 12 feet off the ground was a hollow and we believed it was a coon but do to its position in the hollow we were unsure.  Mike shot into the hollow and tried to poke it to get it to move but it wouldn't.  Still not sure it was a coon, Uncle Waylon took matters into his own hands and climbed up the small tree next to it that wasn't really big enough to hold Aubrey.  He inspected the animal in the hollow and confirmed to everyone watching on the ground that "we got us a coon".  At this point the only thing I can think of is Jerry Clower and his story about coon hunting (and if you don't know who Jerry Clower is shame on yourself - take sometime to listen to this southern gentleman)

Waylon grabbed hold of that "souped up wildcat" by the tail and began to pull the coon out and coon tried to climb down further into the hollow and after a brief struggle Waylon had the "souped up wildcat" out of the tree and threw him to the ground.  Where Boone was waiting to finish him off (We gave the coon a sporting chance).  Needless to say it was quite an adventure for Aubrey and she is still talking about Uncle Waylon grabbing that racoon by the tail and the dog biting the racoon and tearing it up.  I tried to video tape this adventure but it was too dark. I still find myself laughing about that evening and events took place.  As I try to retell the story in person or even put it in words here, it does not even come close to actually being there.  Unless you were a witness, you will never get the full effect of everything that happened.  I am not sure year 2 can top year 1 but I am looking forward to next year already.

• The last couple of months haven't been easy for our extended family.  The death of my sister's husband Chris has been difficult.  However because of our faith, our friends and family, it has been easier.  I would just ask to keep my sister and her children in your prayers.
• In the midst of difficult situations, there is sometimes humor and during the receiving of friends at the funeral home a couple of funny things happened.   
• Chris's employer had been closing down for the past year due to the lack of commercial construction projects and as the people introduced themselves to me and their connection to Chris a woman said she worked with Chris in the office and was one of the first to be let go when they start shutting down.  I wasn't exactly sure how to respond....so I just told her "Sorry, thank you for coming" and moved her down the line.  I am sure she didn't mean anything by her comment because it really is a difficult time and you never know what to say and sometimes you say the first thing that comes to your mind which is totally different than what you wanted to say.
• I am pretty sure I met every teacher in Chatham County.  My sister assures me that they were only from her school.  While greeting those friends and teachers , my sister helps with the introduction of a female that works in the office at her school - "this is my brother, Kevin from Summerville, when did you tell me you graduated from Summerville? She replies "85".  That's when Kevin graduated.  Do you know each other?" and my sister turns to greet more people.  I am thinking my sister and I should have had this conversation sometime prior to this moment and this is getting ready to be a horrific train wreck.  What was she thinking.  The woman tells me her maiden name and I stare back her as I run through a Rolodex of all the girls I knew in high school.  I am sure she is ready to unload a dump truck of her bad high school memories that were probably all my fault.  I decided to dive in head first and break the ice - "You look familiar but not with your clothes on?".  Actually, I still don't have a clue who she is and thankfully she didn't have a clue who I was.  We talked about who we knew and while knowing some of the same people we didn't know each other.  She had moved to Summerville in the 11th grade so we were only in school together for 2 years.  That was a close call.  We both agreed not to go back and look at old high school year books.
• As I remember more highlights from earlier in the year, I will share them.

Great Waterpark Adventure In January

For all those that are reading this "Welcome Back to the slowest growing blog in America with a confirmed readership of about 5."!  I took and extended vacation for Christmas and New Years from blogging.  I was out gathering material for 2012 and I think after this weekends adventure at least the first part of this post will be worth reading. Thanks for checking back and not giving up.  This post is for all my "Our Life" fans.  Let's get this party started:

January 14 - 15, 2012
Great Wolf Lodge
Water Park Adventure

I know the first thing you are thinking is "water park in January?" - which was accompanied by the facial expression of "are you nuts?" .  Which after the 100th time of telling someone about it, I finally just gave in and began telling them "yep, were taking the kids to the water park in January and freezing our butts off because we are cheap, it's a deal and the lines are shorter (have you been to a water park in the summer?)  Actually, we went to an indoor water park (whoever came up with this idea was a genius)  called Great Wolf Lodge (FYI, if you click the link and see the two girls in the pool, don't get to excited - you don't have the park to yourself...more on that later - 84 degrees and 80,000 sq feet) in Concord, NC (everyone calls it Charlotte but that's like saying Summerville is Charleston).  If you have ever been to the Concord Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord you were real close to the water park.  

Participating in this adventure (or sucked into this adventure) were the Our Life family and to protect their identity let's call them Tim, Arlette, Madison and Dylan.

Before I get too far into the is post, I want to give a shout out to LA for being a trooper and agreeing to go to a waterpark knowing she couldn't ride any of the fun stuff since she is with child.  She even let me go be a big kid for a couple of hours each day with Tim, Madison and Dylan.  

For the most part, the water park is only open to guests of the Great Wolf Lodge (GWL).  With your overnight stay, you can start using the water park at 1:00pm and can use the waterpark until 9:00pm on the night of you departure.  We walked through the doors into the water park around 3:00pm and were greeted by a warm rush of air and thought this is pretty warm (84 degrees) - more on this later.  Aubrey didn't make the cut by 3" for having free reign of the entire park and was limited to the kid area and the tree house with two slides and pools - she missed out on the four best slides.  This was disappointing (to me) but it didn't make any difference to her.  Tim's family went to the big kid slides and LA and I took Wyatt and Aubrey to the tree house so they could ride the slides.  The rule for who could ride the slides in the tree house was as follows:  under 42" permitted with "adult supervision".  Now I am not sure what GWL calls "adult supervision" but it doesn't equal LA's or my definition of "adult supervision" BECAUSE the slide is a lay on your back, no sitting in laps, one at a time.  Adult supervised to me means we can ride together and if something happens it's my fault.  So Wyatt could ride this slide "adult supervised" which evidently to GWL means you take responsibility for shoving your child under 42" down the slide.  We decided that Wyatt was a little to young for those slides but Aubrey could ride them.  I convinced pushed Aubrey down the slide and told her "see you at the bottom".  I wouldn't say she loved it the first time but she would ride them throughout our stay.  Almost forgot the water in the house and the 1,000 gallon bucket drop is not 84 degrees...much colder or like I thought before we went 84 degrees isn't warm enough for me.  You either need an extra 10 pounds of fat or them to turn up the thermostat.

One of the pools at the water park has 6 basketball goals (see web link but with more than two people) and two acorn "lily pads" for playing "King of the Acorn" and a snake (not a real one) but one about 15 kids could climb and play "King of the Snake".  The adult (older than me, at least looked older than me) playing basketball next to us just signed a contract with the National Pool Basketball League (NPBL).  Easy big guy we are all on vacation.  It was the warmest pool on the property in the late afternoon and evening - must have been 84 degrees the rest of the time.

The also have a wave pool.  When you see an perfectly good pool empty, what's your first thought?  Caddyshack...It's a Baby Ruth or is it? (pretty sure this is going to be pretty high on the upcoming movie ranking from "I'm Just Sayin") Tim and I were pretty close to being right - evidently somebody threw up in the pool.  They evidently have two wave settings - gentle and knock you arse on the ground and the settings must be random.  This pool was also chilly at times - 84 degrees.  My suggestion find a light and back up against it or find a water jet and feel the warm water coming out.

The kiddie area has four jet skis with water cannons to piss the adults off because the kids are spraying the adults (if an adult ever needed to learn restraint - take them to a water park and let kids they don't know shoot them with water...I give them about 2 minutes before they go bonkers on the kid), three slides (not near as good as Wanamaker or any other kiddie area at a water park that I have been to) - two of them are a stretch being called slides more like drag them down it.  Wyatt and Aubrey both liked this area.  We almost caused a situation in the kiddie area.  I was off being a big kid while LA and Arlette watched Aubrey and Wyatt.  Arlette asked LA what is your daughter doing?  LA looks up and Aubrey is bent over with her bathing suit pulled to the side going pee-pee.  She sometimes forgets she isn't at Pops pool where it is okay to pee-pee in the grass (so you don't flood the inside of the house with wet kids).  In her defense she wasn't directly in the water (on a platform above the water).  Trust me she wasn't the first or the last kid to pee in that pool.  Kids do the darnest things...opps.  At least our kids weren't responsible for the following situation:
So why is the kiddie area closed?  While watching Wyatt and Aubrey I noticed the lifeguard place her hand in the air and a supervisor and another lifeguard immediately show up.  The other life guard walks into the water and starts looking around.  She then goes and gets a glove and scoops up something off the bottom of the pool and inspects it with the supervisor. Is it baby baby ruth, a raisinet or pooh?  They determine it's pooh (come on people contain your kids poop...it's your responsibility)...RED  ALERT, RED ALERT, whistles blowing everyone out of the pool.  They shut the area down for further inspection.  I nominated the lifeguard with the glove for the employee of the month and a raise.

The whole lodge has a game called Magi Quest.  In a nut shell you purchase a wand (that's good at any other Magi Quest) and you buy time that's loaded on the wand and you go on adventures and quests using a map book, finding clues.  Here's Tim's review of Magi Quest - a mind numbing adventure with not much of a point (at least to an adult, because it seemed like his kids loved it...and LA and I asked them often about making sure they completed all the adventure and quests before we left and Tim made sure they shared every detail to LA and I).  I asked him if you killed or shot anything? Nope.  What's the point? Not real sure.  Do you win a prize when you complete an adventure or quest? Nope  What's up with the older kids (15 -19 year olds) playing?  They have not adjusted socially...their parents need to have a talk with them "you know this isn't real life...give me your wand...here's a ball go outside and play or in this case go ride the slides in the water park.  To prove his point while his kids were playing an older boy starts talking to his daughter - "I'm a 7th level Warlock...on a quest....blah, blah, blah"...the boy moves on but Tim was walking up to tell him "No actually you are on a quest to get your arse kicked".  The great part about this Magi Quest was that it was on four different floors and Tim and Arlette got to see the entire Lodge.              

So by walking into a water park, you assume you are going to get wet.  I like most people like to prepare myself to get wet especially when the water is 84 degrees.  If you go onto the tree house, you expect to get wet and kids are going to spray you as you navigate the stairs to the slides - it's the nature of the tree house and I accept it (might not like it too much...see above about unknown kids spraying you)  However, what I did not sign up for is while waiting in line for the slide is for Pugsley (who is standing right next to me, who I don't know) to start shooting water at me.  I looked at him and I quote said "really?!?! you are going to shoot me with water".  He stopped and 10 seconds later shoots me again which I replied and I quote "really?!?!you want to start this" and I then proceed to drench him with water that caused him to start crying and he went and got his mother who I proceeded to shoot with water which then lead me and Aubrey being escorted out of the park.  Not exactly what happened but only because he heeded my second warning or that is what would have happened.

84 degrees - That might be the indoor air temperature but not all the water in the park is 84 degrees.  It helps if you keep telling yourself that it's 84 degrees, it's 84 degrees.  Or tell yourself it's 34 outside, it's 34 outside.  They need to pump up the heat a few degrees for my liking - a tropical 88 would be nice.

Stairs - This applies to any waterpark.  Get rid of the stairs and install escalators or anything that keeps me from having to climb stairs.  It's the 21st century, we can invent something a better option.

Cabanas - We got one because that's how Tim and I role.  But actually after spending Sunday in the Cabana, even the ladies would highly recommend renting a Cabana (specifically Cabana #5) on your departure day, especially if you are doing the one night trip like we did or have multiple families or a larger group.  It gives you an area to hang out, eat lunch, don't have to fight for chairs or tables or stand in any lines for food or drinks, not be in the mass of other people and be a big deal for the day and have a butler take care of you (and you get up to 20 drinks free which is a $50 value which makes the cabana even cheaper and easier to justify).  

Howling Tornado - Is a clover leaf tube ride for 2 to 4 people (basically four tubes you sit in with a mat in the middle for your feet).  The entry into your tube is the tricky part for the adults.  Tim decided to try a new way to get in the tube by plopping down into the tube which promptly dumped him out in the pool of water in the loading area, almost sending him down the slide without the tube or us which would have been awesome but the worker grabbed his ankle as I was yelling "hey, lady there's a whale trying to go down the side...catch him".

Here's my review of most of the water park:
Fort Mackenzie - aka "Tree House" - plenty of places to get soaked and piss people off from the bucket drop and water hoses and water cannons everywhere.
Totem Towers - aka "slides in Fort Mackenzie" - no tubes here just your backside...good slide fast
Whooping Hollow - in Kiddie Park area - good for the younger set but pretty tame
Howling Tornado - two to four person tube slide - Awesome slide with a sixty foot drop into a larger tube area where you ride 30 feet up the walls.  Best ride in the park
River Canyon Run - two to four person tube slide - normal tube slide but bigger tube and with up to four people. Pretty tame (only rode this slide once...not worth the wait)
Alberta Falls - one or two person tube slide - Awesome single person tube slide, fast...pretty fun with two people also but without the ability to spin backwards like you can in a single tube.
Mountain Edge Raceway - single mat slide, up to four at a time - it is a speed race with you and your friends...fun, weight seems to play a factor since I was 1 -2 verse Tim.
Slap Tail Pond - aka wave pool - watch out for the wipeout level otherwise a good place to spend some time relaxing from climbing stairs
Chinook Activity Pool - aka basketball pool - watch out for the older kids and remember pool basketball is a contact sport...enough other area to be in the pool and out of danger.  Wyatt and Aubrey loved jumping off the side into the pool.
Cub Paw Pool - aka kiddie area - good for the kids but the slide needs to be kicked up a notch (like Wanamaker kiddies slide)

Improvements I Would Make

• Add additional slides - I think two more would make a hugh difference at this park reducing the lines (the lines were not terrible but any line is no fun because it is reducing your RPD (Rides Per Day))
• Option of riding Howlin Tornado without a tube
• Option of riding Howlin Tornado with multiple tubes - first tube out wins and you are penalized if anyone falls off your tube
• Waterpark stays open until 11pm

Don't Forget

• Your camera and video recorder (We forgot both at home and I was looking forward to taking some action videos with our waterproof video recorder).
• Flip Flops / Crocs  (How does the flip flop King forget his flip flops?)

Overall review of Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge gets the coveted  Our Life Highly Recommended rating.  The rooms were nice and there are plenty of activities for the kids - water park (9am to 9pm - closing time changes based on season), arcade, Magi Quest, story time, magic shows, dance party...etc.  The food at the hotel is okay.  The biggest advantage is that it is convenient and kids eat free (still cost two adults $50 for a buffet dinner with drinks and tip).  The water park is typical of any amusement park - arrive early (at opening) and stay late (or leave and come back) so you can ride the slides without standing in a line for 45-60 minutes for less than a minute of thrill.  You can ride more in the hour after opening and the hour before closing than you can the other times of the day because of the lines (I am about maximizing your RPD).  For it being a holiday weekend it was crowded but not insanely crowded.  You can do the 36 hour trip like we did (leave at 11am Sat and get home 11pm on Sun) and have a blast (a little tired the next day).  If you wanted to splurge and stay two nights you could skip staying real late on the last day.  You need to book early.  It is a pay in advance resort (when you book your stay, you pay which is nice because it felt like we were staying for free) and as the number of rooms decrease the price increases.  LA and I had tried to go last year and never committed to going until the prices of the rooms were way too high.  For something fun to do in the winter that you should be doing in the summer, you can't beat it.  Tell them your heard it hear on Our Life.

Breaking News - Babypolloza 2011 Strikes Again

This reporter has received news that another couple has doubled the count of the 2011 Hootie and The Blowfish - Babypolloza Event.  A BIG Our Life shout out to Michael and Adrian on their great news.  When I first heard the news that Adrian was expecting a child, I jokingly said "you having twins" and Michael looked at me and said "you beat me to the second part of the news, Yes, twins!".  I then looked at Adrian and she confirmed the news - which at that point I am not sure my reaction was much different than their reaction when they found out.  I didn't believe them but pictures don't lie - two babies.  Wow, two babies, talk about getting put into the game without any warm-up.  They say the best way to learn to swim is to jump in the water.

They are going to be great parents.  We are super happy and excited for them! (and are praying for them)

PS - Aubrey and Wyatt are available to keep overnight or weekends, if you want some practice.

The moment YOU all have been waiting for...

12/13/11
3:30pm
MUSC Prenatal Services 
North Charleston Office

We arrived at our appointment on time and with the kids (for the grammar challenged that plural for Aubrey and Wyatt).  You're probably thinking, "Who thought this would be a good idea?"  I thought it would be a good idea to take the kids and let them see the "baby in mommy's belly" on the screen with us.  It has been an awesome experience for LA and I each time and we wanted them to be apart of it.  We did consider not taking Wyatt but decided that if Aubrey went Wyatt was going also.  For those considering doing this here's a couple of tips:

1. This isn't The Lion King or Dora
2. If you can't figure out what you're looking, I am pretty sure a 3 year old and 21 month old isn't going to have a clue either.
3. Unless your kids are older, I am pretty sure that they will never remember and those 35 minutes of their life that they lost, they would have enjoyed playing on the playground at daycare more.
4. After about 3 minutes, you are going to need some entertainment for the kids and realize that this wasn't a good idea.

We survived the appointment and got good news.  10 fingers, 10 toes, all the organs and the umbilical cord look great and the baby is about 14 ounces and healthy.  There are no markers for downs syndrome which make our risk that same as any 29/30 year old having a baby.

I wanted Aubrey to make a video about the "baby in mommy's belly" for the big announcement but didn't have a chance tonight because we had Little Gym.  Aubrey determined what we are having after carefully analyzing the following pictures:

So what do you think it is? Boy? Girl?

Aubrey tells us that we are having a girl and her name is going to be Kelly (or I guess Kellie).  She has as good of a chance as being right as LA and I.  We are 0-3 on finding out.  Hang on for about 134 days and we will all find out at the same time.  Well, actually I will be the first to know then LA, immediate family and everyone else.  Check back after the new year for the poll to pick the gender, day and time.

Is It A Boy or A Girl?

Today @ 3:30pm is the much anticipated 20 week ultrasound when we CAN find out if we are having Boy 2 or Girl 2.  The Chinese calendar say it's a boy.  LA and I thinks it's a girl.  Adrian's voodoo a few years back said we would have a girl, boy, girl (and I must say that it has been very accurate with all everyone that it has been done to).  What do you think?

Check back in later tonight to find out.    

PS - We are praying for a report of a healthy baby today, boy or girl it doesn't matter.

The Belt is Back - 2nd Time

The Belt Is Back Home

2 Time Belt Champion in 2012

When your playing for the belt "every game matters" (at least those that give you a shot at the belt)

What do you think their talking about in Atlanta, Blacksburg, Miami, Tallahassee, Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa, Eugene, Stillwater and Boise...They are saying Oh, my! They have the belt again for the second time!...For all of you who thought we were through...You were wrong! WE'RE BACK.



I am not sure what Dabo, The Chad, and K Steele did but in 7 days they found the brakes on the train that after missing two exits (NCSU and SC) and picking up speed and heading for a horrific crash, slowed down enough to take the exit for the ACC Championship without crashing and hit the gas and then the nitrus to steamroll a good Va Tech team (that was crushing their opponents and now a team who's only two losses were to Clemson) that presented every possible problem (running QB, running back, receivers that catch, and a defense that ate offenses) that we have had all year and found a way to stop them cold and knock them out in the second half.

The Good
1.  NO TURNOVERS (created 3 turnovers on D)
2.  Andre Ellington (give me 21 more of him and we would rule the football universe)
3.  10 Wins (1st time in 20 years)
4.  ACC (Another Clemson Championship - 14th) Championship
5.  Tajh Boyd
6.  D. Allen
7.  Defense - MUCH improved tackling, playing assignments

The Bad 
1.  Mike "Mr. Bad Apple" Bellamy (sent home and suspended indefinitely, went from the dog house to the out house...he has some growing up to do.

And now finally a poll that matters (unlike the BCS):
The OurLife Wk 12 Poll
1.  Clemson (Title Belt Holders)
2.  Doesn't Matter
3.  Irrelevant
4.  Unimportant
5.  Can't Hear You
6.  Not A Big Deal
7.  Who Cares
8.  Insignificant
9.  Your Team

The OurLife Summary
After taking taking the exit from perfection in Atlanta, GA by receiving a butt whooping by Ga Tech, that led to a squeaker at home against Wake where we were outplayed on both sides of the ball, and then reaching terminal velocity(with losses at NC State and SC) that had us headed for complete destruction and a 9-5 record.  I was not very confident in our chances after those 4 lack luster efforts (you can go back and read my thoughts) BUT I still gave them a chance if we could get Va Tech into a submission hold like the figure four and that is what happened.  We walked the aisle with a champions heart and determination because we had held the belt before and we wanted it back.  It wasn't easy but we had the belt to play for and #91 - the Clemson great Chester McGlockton (who had tragically passed away earlier in the week).  The defense looked like the defenses of old when Chester played and dominated the line of scrimmage holding the VT running attack in check and limiting the passing game to one touchdown.  Tajh looked more comfortable and was completing passes.  The OL wasn't perfect but got the job down in pass protection and giving Andre just enough room to run.  As always turnovers are important and we got 3 and didn't give any away and that doesn't guarantee a win but you don't win many giving the ball away 3 times.

I am satisfied with the 10 wins and a 10-3 record but DISAPPOINTED because we lost to NC State (not a good football team).  I was one of the ones that thought 7 or 8 wins would be all that was possible.  I give Dabo, football staff and team credit for their accomplishments.  Enjoy the victory but work starts soon for the Orange Bowl game and winning the 11th game.  It's pretty cool that we get to go back to Miami 30 years after winning our 1st National Championship.  Let's take our record in Miami to 2-0.

Looking for the video highlights, stats and the kitchen sink - click here.

Payday
What was this victory worth to Dabo - about $400,000 raise to median ACC Coaches pay which is around $2.2 million (plus his bonus money).  How about The Chad? He signed for $1.3 million - not bad for a man that was making high school coaches pay 3 years ago.  

USA Today Coaches' Poll
Let's look at how the coaches who vote in the final USA Today coaches' poll ranked Clemson (Actual Ranking #14):
Our Friends
#9
Al Golden - Miami
Chris Petersen - Boise St
Larry Porter - Memphis
#12
Steve Spurrier - SC (even after this video)
Our Enemies (Each of you have a butt whooping coming)
#22
Larry Fedora - Southern Miss (who also ranked his team at #16, 6 spots ahead of Clemson, interesting - who has been offered the UNC job)
Kyle Whittingham - Utah
#21
Ron Zook - Former Coach of Illinois
#19
Pete Lembo - Ball State

College Football Bowl Season
I wanted chaos in the BCS but I thought it was going to come from multiple no loss teams but instead it was multiple 1 loss teams causing the chaos.  Each 1 loss team with a valid argument.  I am not sure that "every game counts" like the BCS would have you believe.  I do think Alabama outplayed LSU (but did lose at home) but since they only lost by 3 points, is that loss is better than Ok State's lose to Iowa State (which I don't think is an excuse but it did happen after learning of a tragic plane crash involving the basketball coach which the school has a history of tragic accidents)?  Yeah, maybe but if you look at who each team beat, their ranking, and record, Ok State has a valid argument to be #2 and playing for the national championship.  I have a problem with computers that use some secret formula (like it is the recipe to Coke or Diet Coke) that no one knows except some nerd in a cubical in South Dakota and is dependent on the data being entered correctly (and as close as Alabama and Ok State were this year, just like an error last year changed the order of some teams lower in the BCS who's to say it didn't happen this year with rankings #2, #3?  I also have a problem with how the teams are selected for all the other bowls (for example - Va Tech and Michigan in the Sugar Bowl this year and Boise going to the Las Vegas Bowl).  It is hard for me to understand why football, the number 1 sport in college athletics is the ONLY sport to let computers decide who plays for the national championship instead of it being played out on the field.  Most folks would say it is the because of the kids and their education and extending the season makes it too long.  Whatever, what about the NCAA extending the season of the 20 DII schools (FCS) who are currently in the PLAYOFFS while players are still having to go to class.  Did I miss something about DII football players being exempt from classes and exams.  Is their education not as important as the players at FBS schools.  The DII playoff schedule is as follows:

Nov 20 - Playoff Field Announced (20 teams - not selected by computer)

Nov. 26 - First round

Dec. 3 - Second round

Dec. 9 and 10 - Quarterfinals

Dec. 16 and 17 - Semifinals

January 7, 2012, 1:00 pm ET, Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, TX - championship game

Based on my memory from college, seems like at least four teams would be playing during most college exam week and maybe 8 teams.  The only difference is the DII schools only play an 11 game season and don't have any bowls to attend.  In my limited functioning mind, it would seem that we have enough smart people (like Greg and Jeremy) who could figure out a playoff system with 20, 16, 8 or 4 (but I really don't like 4) teams and figure out the Bowl System.

Let me give you 281 reasons the BCS and Bowl System will continue in some form in college football

     Reason 1 - 281:  2011/2012 Bowl Payout - $281 Million dollars

It reminds me of the silly season in golf when pros are playing in small fields for large pay days.  Based on my calculations the projected ACC take from college football silly season - $44,980,000 (divided by some conference formula and distributed to each member school).  And that my friends is why we have the bowl system.  However, I believe a legitimate college football playoff would generate substantial money for individual schools(with additional home games) and probably exceed the $281 million currently being distributed BUT for any of this to happen the OLD ESTABLISHMENT (see Fiesta Bowl fiasco last year, which don't think isn't/wasn't happening at the Sugar, Orange and Rose) has to be replaced and all the current FAT CATS that are living the good life have to be cut from teat that is feeding them and get real jobs like everyone else.