Vacation 2010...Part 1

For my money, the Outer Banks of North Carolina is hands down the best vacation that money can buy. I believe it to be the true definition of vacation...you do only what you want to do. No rushing to get to the theme park when it opens, no hustling to make certain that you visit as many family and friends as possible and no wasting gobs of money on eating out and entertainment...that is, unless you want to.

Don't get me wrong. We love that we can take time off to get out and visit family and friends. We wish we could do that more; but those trips are often time far from relaxing. This is a true vacation in that it does recharge you. I'm heading back to work tomorrow and I'm honestly excited about it. I feel refreshed.

We are so fortunate to have a great group of friends to share this now second annual trip with. It's essentially five "couples", although we're prepared to grow once Uncle Louie and Uncle Ben find women to bring along. This group of friends is great in that we're cool if we do stuff together and just as cool if everyone goes separate ways.

This year was especially fun for me. Julia is really just coming into her own and it is so fun to watch. Even though the terrible twos are clearly on their way (we'll have to do a future post on this one), she is generally a good kid that everyone seems to enjoy to be around. It makes me proud to see how much people just love being around her. It tells me that Courtney and I are doing something right in raising her.

Here's a look at our "cottage" for the week. Gotta love the rooftop hot tub. I know we did! Julia was especially fond of the pool. She was getting bolder in the water as the week went on, but Courtney and I clearly need to get her more time in the water.

Jules made a new friend in baby Ashton on vacation this year. Ashton is a year younger than Julia, but they got along great. Ashton was another good kid. Hopefully Dawn and Richie join us for future getaways because Julia and Ashton seemed to have fun together...especially when Aunt Christy was reading to them!

Jules also spent quality time with Aunt Heather and even had her share of time with the boys! I didn't mind her hanging with the boys this time because I was there to keep an eye on her (and the keg)!

If anyone (and I mean you Liz!) ever buys Julia a recorder there will be hell to pay!

All the fun in the sun can tire a girl out. But who better to nap with (or on) than Mommy!

Part two will have Courtney's take and lots more pictures...

-Andy

I'm Walkin'!

It seems that every time Julia spends time with Luke and Ben that she comes away with some new skill. Well, lately she's been teetering on walking...taking a step here, a few steps there. Well we just got back from an awesome visit to Connecticut and Julia will never be the same.

It seems that she's earned a new nickname...Ms. Rita at daycare calls her Frankenstein...because of what she looks like when she's walking! It is too funny. I'd show you a video, but they're too large to post. I'm going to have to figure this thing out.

We had a great time up north. Although I'm still a little upset with myself that I fell short in the Whiffle Ball Home Run Derby at Liz & Nate's Memorial Day Party, it was a great time. We managed to visit a few folks, although there's not enough time to get to see everyone when you're only there for a couple days.

Julia got along great with her cousins. I think Luke really likes her. She definitely lights up when he's around...good thing we don't live in West Virginia.

The car ride was even pleasant. Traffic was light in both directions (relatively speaking), so I guess we'll think about heading up there again next Memorial Day. Besides...I need another shot at the title!

-Andy

Pork & Beer... & Life is Good!!!

Last weekend was the Annual Pork in the Park BBQ Festival here in Salisbury. This is an event that our office manages and has become so successful, it is incredible. It's a BBQ competition, sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society and it has grown to become the largest of its kind east of the Mississippi...right here in little ol' Salisbury.

It's a lot of work, but man is it a good time. Over the weekend we had 20,000+ come through the festival and enjoy music, entertainment, vendors, kids rides, frosty beverages and great food!

In other related news, we've been busy not preparing for LBMF (and speaking of MF, have you seen how hot Manny Ramirez is so far this season?). We are getting ready take a trip up to CT to see Benjamin and of course Lucas!

I talked with Luke the other night and told him that we were headed up to visit him this weekend and he was pretty excited. Well apparently, Luke doesn't yet have a good concept of time (not that I expect him to) because Liz mentioned that he was running around yesterday saying that Aunt Courtney and Uncle Andy are coming up today.

It appears that Courtney will be rivaling Liz soon in belly expansion. She is growing pretty quickly now. All that time when it barely looked like she was pregnant is long gone! I will say though that she is still doing great and aside from maybe tying her shoes, doesn't seem to be struggling too much yet. I'll get a pic up soon.

However, I'm thinking the over/under on pee stops on our road trip is at least 6...what do you think?

The last piece of the nursery will be here in early May. We're also putting in new windows and I just got word that they will be here by May 2nd. I just hope LBMF likes this room!!!

-Andy

Pregnancy...The World Tour!

Coming to a town near you! It's Pregnancy...The World Tour!!! Starring Courtney as "Momma" and LBMF as "himself"! T-shirts are just $14.95!!!

I know...I know...the blog has been dead for a few days! Well, don't worry, everything is just fine! Court and I are taking some trips (while we can) and hopefully we will be coming to a town near you!

Last weekend we visited our friends Kenny and Amanda in NC and had a BLAST! There is much more to come on this excursion as Amanda is sending us scandalous photos of playing Rock Band and the like and we will do a full post on the trip.

Then work took me out of town for a couple days to the tropical paradise of Easton, PA. Driving back today, we left sleet and freezing rain and arrived to 58 degrees. Now who says Delmarva isn't the land of pleasant living! (I might have just opening myself up to lots o comments on that one)

Thursday, we hit the road for an evening in Easton, MD (kinda ironic, eh?). It's our niece Ellie's birthday and another stop for LBMF, Momma and their shared, limited bladder!

This weekend, we are heading to CT for a baby shower that my mother and sister have planned for Courtney (and if you weren't invited, don't blame the blogger; we would have invited everyone as LBMF is eager to meet you all). Unfortunately our time is short there and hopefully we get a chance to catch up with you at the shower. But the next day, we'll be onto the next city as more LBMF fans await.

In other news, the nursery continues to progress. The excess holes in the walls (and ceiling) have been repaired and we should be primaring soon (as soon as the roadtrips end). Courtney will need to do a full post on this soon.

We hope that everyone is doing well and ready for spring!!!

-Andy