Charlotte comes to HHI!

I am serious when I tell you that this is perhaps the only time I have been glad that we do not have any neighbors because there is no doubt in my mind that we would have had a visit from the law. There was so much laughing going on that we were certain to have gotten a noise violation! It was such a treat to have our fun friends Jennifer & Patrick and Beth, Nate and baby Eva come to stay with us over the weekend. Eva is almost 1 month to the day older than Anderson and they were so cute playing beside each other--Anderson would smile away at her! We spent a lot of time outside enjoying our outdoor grilling/entertainment area. We have not really taken advantage of that since we moved in, so it was nice to get some use out of it. Friday night we had Frogmore Stew prepared by Brad, of course, using the outdoor cooker. The Charlotte folk always need some Lowcountry cuisine when they come to visit, so we try and oblige!

Brad's Frogmore Stew!

Saturday morning Brad, Patrick, and Nate went to play some golf while the ladies and the babies lounged around in our PJ's b/c we were up talking until 3:30am. Crazy, I know. The time just flew by and I didn't even notice! Now, one thing is for sure, I did notice the next morning when I had to get up with Anderson!!

Anderson snuggling with Jennifer Saturday morning.

Anderson and Eva

What a sweet pair!

Anderson and Patrick (Anderson was fascinated by his hat!)

Saturday night, our trusty babysitter Alex came and we were off to this restaurant called Pepper's Porch out in Bluffton. Brad and I have noticed this restaurant on our way home from Savannah several times and have always wanted to go--it was well worth it! After dinner we went to this tapas/wine bar called Wiseguys back on HHI. Again, a place I have been wanting to go but we just usually do not plan far enough in advance. They had some fantastic desserts..including this dark chocolate fondue with pound cake, bananas, marshmallows, and strawberries for dipping---enough said. Enjoyed the martini's too!

Jennifer, Me, and Beth


Brad, Patrick, and Nate

Brad and his mug made of chocolate that his dessert was served in!

It goes without saying that I was so sad to see everyone leave on Sunday, but I am looking forward to getting together again soon!

Four Babies and a Wedding!

We have received some of the best phone calls over the past couple of months! Just when the dust settles from one exciting event, we get another call with more great news. I just eat it up and love hearing about some great things that are going on in the world. As much as I enjoy Fox News, it can really depress a person watching all the issues our world is facing--my opinions on all that perhaps could be a post for another day! But back to the fun stuff.....

My good friend Kasey from OT school is pregnant with a little boy due early July!

Another good friend from OT school, Rachel is pregnant with a boy AND a girl due late July! Now twins is not new to our OT crew as our friend Melanie had twin girls August 2007.

As mentioned in the previous post, another great friend Lindsay is due early September and will find out of she is playing for team pink or blue in the first part of April!





And if all this wasn't enough fun news........ more great friends Brian and Kim called Monday of last week and informed us that they got married in Mexico March 12!! We could not be more excited for the two of them! They currently live in Texas while Brian finishes a fellowship. He will start practice in the fall and they will move to Greenville. We are glad they are finally going to be within weekend driving distance!





I hope I continue to get phone calls like these!!!

Good Times!

Our friends Stephen and Lindsay came to visit over the weekend! We lived in Charleston at the time same time and left within 6 months of each other--they left right around the first of the year 2008 headed for Columbia and we left June 2008 to HHI. Healthcare can move you from a place in a heartbeat (no pun intended)! They are such great people and we always enjoy getting together with them. Lindsay is 16 weeks pregnant with their first baby and she has the cutest pooch I have ever seen :) Brad and Stephen turkey hunted the whole weekend while Lindsay and I relaxed and shopped. We enjoyed dinner at Redfish on Saturday night--sans Anderson, as he was at home with our wonderful babysitter Alex. It was so fantastic to enjoy a unrushed dinner complete with wine, appetizers, entree, and I would have had dessert if I had not stuffed my face full of Lobster Macaroni and Cheese! We miss them and look forward to another visit soon!

Not sure what he was looking at?

Lindsay tickling Anderson--he is quite ticklish

Anderson with Stephen who will soon have one of his very own!

31 years.

That describes Brad age as of this past Monday (the 16th)! Brad never knows what he wants for any gift giving holiday, but in the past couple of years he has gotten better about naming a few things. Luckily, he is really easy to buy for b/c he has so many interests--you can see for yourself on his blog. Naturally, I asked him what he wanted for his birthday. Well, his reply was this:

A Bad Boy Buggie. This is not a joke! I am thinking I might like it better when he said "I don't know". This was NOT in our front yard on Monday morning with a big red bow and Happy Birthday sign. Instead, he got a nice leather Filson packer wallet. Now that, he needed!
Nonetheless, for those of you that know Brad personally--I am certain that this is not the end of the BBBuggy.

Last Fling Before the Ring!

Paige's Bachelorette Party was quiet the success and I am am certain that the Carnival Sensation will never be the same! It was a blast and Paige was a good sport about all of the outfits and garb that we made her wear. There were all sorts of characters on this boat including other bachelorette parties, a few bachelor parties, some spring breakers, families, and couples. I just felt terrible for some of those families with children--there were many sites that were not at all appropriate for young children to witness and I suspect they accidentally got on the Sensation instead of the Disney Wonder that was docked near us at the port! From the guy in the neon green mankini (from the Borat movie), the leopard speedo, tee-tiny bikini's always on the ones who should not be wearing them, to the couples who should get a room! My equilibrium is still a bit wacky and I still have sea legs from time to time. The boat had a few periods where it was noticeably rocking, but overall it was fairly smooth. The food was delish and plentiful--it is just a crime sometimes to have food available 24 hours a day! And they never ran out of Bahama Mama's, Daiquiri's, Yellowbird Punch, or buckets of cold beer! Definitely a fun time had by all :)

The girls (minus 1)

Ashley, Paige, Rachel, and Me before getting on the yellowbird boat

Paige, Me, Laura, Deborah, and Stacy on an island somewhere the Bahamas!!

At Senor Frogs in Nassau Friday night!

Crazy Bachelorette Wear--Aren't those white fishnet thigh-highs hilarious!!

Bahamas or Bust!

My bags are packed and ready to go--I think! I have been looking forward to this, but also have been feeling sad about leaving Anderson until Sunday. This is my first time leaving him overnight and for 4 days for that matter!! I am not the sappy, emotional type (to my detriment at times) but this is starting to get to me--I have been told that having children will do this to you. A recent conversation with one of my great friends from college, Jennifer in Charlotte, summed it up in a single statement when she said "you are going to miss your boy". Indeed I am, but it won't hit me until I get in the car in a few short minutes with the suitcase and start down Highway 278 to meet the other girls! He will have a great time spending some quality time with Brad and also spending the night with my parents. I hope he remembers who his momma is when I get back! Well, gotta go get on the boat....I'll be back with lots of pictures soon!




PS: I will miss you too Brad!

Filling Empty Spaces.

This is a classic case of home improvement according to him and according to her. Since we moved in June and bought a brand new home, there is an empty space meant for a wine chiller in our kitchen. It has been a goal to get the appliance that fits the space. With Anderson being born in August and all sorts of other things that go along with moving, it has been put by the wayside and being used mainly for a handy place to stash things like my purse, a step stool, etc. The subject came up recently on doing some home improvements and the wine chiller was the obvious choice--right, according to me that is. On the other hand, Brad had an accessory for our patio area off the porch on his mind. Not my first choice at all. A dilemma? Not as far as I am concerned! We decided on definitely getting the wine chiller and it was ordered in Mid-February as sort of a Valentine's Day memento. It finally came in and delivery was scheduled for Saturday. Now, taking into consideration Christie's blog post about praises, I changed my mind about this post being "What A Waste" to what it is now. To make a long story short, I was at home all day Saturday waiting for the appliance and what happened? Well, it was damaged and we have no wine chiller and quite a headache trying to get a replacement. But, I did get to spend another quality day with my baby and for that I am glad! Sweet baby and I will just have a set another day waiting for this....

Wouldn't you know that Brad volunteered at his Rotary Club's Annual Auction and what did he end up with? The Iron Pig Grill made by Iron Art by Kevin on HHI. It is a fire pit with a large grill grate that is to fill that patio space from time to time. It seriously weighs a ton and our friend David had to come a help Brad get it out of the truck. How we are going to get it back and forth from the garage to the patio to use it is beyond me!!!

The Sandbox!

Last week we met some of Anderson's buddies at the Sandbox and they had a ball! The Sandbox is an interactive children's museum that has something for all ages. The boys really seemed to enjoy themselves and I think this is a place that we will definitely come back to. If you are around this area, it is well worth the trip!

Harper, Aiden, and Anderson

Buddies!

Don't let the picture of Anderson fool you! He is "standing" but I put him that way against the table and he is also leaning into it for support...nonetheless, he is doing a great job standing, keeping his balance, and playing with the toys on the table all at the same time. I do have my arms very nearby b/c he is unsteady at times and he can only bear weight on those little legs for so long!

I forgot my camera, again, so these were taken by my friend Amanda...thanks for sending them!

Wedding Gown---Take 2

The replacement wedding gown came in--ahead of schedule! All measurements were correct to the size ordered and what was stated on the gown. The shop owner said she measured it 10 times before she actually believed it was correct. I am so glad that the dressmaker got it right this time. I think my momma (and perhaps my sister) would have had a nervous breakdown if anything was wrong! And as an added bonus, the bridesmaids dresses also came in! Only one minor issue-- 2 of the dresses were supposed to be made with extra length. Did not happen. Luckily, the shop owner measured the length and noticed the error and ordered extra fabric to fix the problem before it was presented to my momma or sister. Good thinking. The seamstress who is doing the alterations on Paige's gown is going to fix the bridesmaid dresses--problem solved. They were handed over to her yesterday and expected to be done by the end of the month, along with Paige's wedding gown which fit PERFECTLY and only requires the hem being taken up! My dress also fit great with no alterations needed! Here it is:

I need to find some strappy silver shoes with a taller heel! Thankfully, I do have a pair that I can wear if I can't find what I am looking for but if anyone has any ideas do let me know!

Good Neighbors are Priceless.

For the 3 years that we lived in Mt. Pleasant we had the best neighbors. I am talking about the kind that watches your dogs when you go out of town, fixes your gushing sprinkler valve when you are away for the holidays, invites you over for supper, cuts your grass when you are at work, and never expects anything in return. The Taylors are those neighbors and we miss them. When the last box was packed up and we walked over to say goodbye before we headed for HHI, I sobbed in their living room b/c I knew the next day they would not be next door. How fun for us that Dennis and Debbie Taylor and their granddaughter Murray came and spent some time with us over the weekend! Now I must give you a bit of history--when we moved to Mt. Pleasant August 2005, their daughter Paige (who is just a couple of years younger than myself) was pregnant with Murray (their granddaughter). Murray was born a couple months later in October. Paige and Murray lived with Dennis and Debbie the entire time we lived next door. It was fun to see Murray grow and Brad & I enjoyed babysitting her! Needless to say, whoever ends up living in our old house on Sewee Fort Road will have amazing neighbors because they are truly priceless.

Murray, Debbie, & Anderson

Anderson & Dennis

Murray & Anderson

Murray, Dennis, Debbie, & Anderson

If we are lucky, these Taylors on the right (that will hopefully be neighbors soon) will be as wonderful as the Mt. Pleasant ones on the left....

And look who is on the left.....weird, huh?