The Outer Banks 2010

We loved the OBX from the first perfect day.  The beaches were huge, soft, and warm.  The waves were exciting, just the right size, and fabulously warm.  We even saw dolphins swimming just off the shore. Luckily Charles was afraid of the waves unless he had a death grip on an adult's finger, then he would say, "let's run!" and go stomping through the shallows.

Georgia hangin' with the guys.  Thank you, John for babysitting in the shade.  Notice Will's beard that got smaller each day.  I wasn't very fond of the fu-man-shu half-way through the week, but he looked nice and clean-shaven by the end.

More running with Charles.  I loved it.

Jack would have followed cousin Tate to the moon.  The two had a great time together.

Wesley with a captured crab.  They were startling the sunbathers, scuttling up on the beach towels and running from the kids.

David's wife, Abby and future mommy.  Wish I looked that good pregnant.

Christian took a crew off-roading on the sand dunes and they spotted one of the Corolla wild Mustangs.  I was pretty sad to have missed it, but Christian said they were a bit mangey-looking.  Will walked right up and petted them, which is against the law apparently.

Yes, these are the three boys asleep in a closet.  We were pretty packed in the beach house, but this sleeping arrangement worked out rather well.

What a hunk.  Christian looks like Mr. Sportsman with the sea kayak.  He and Will hit a wave and flew out of the kayak, but survived.  My ride with him was much more relaxing.

Future hunks. (that's cousin Grant in the middle)

Pina coladas!  We ate out only once and it was ridiculously priced, but at least we had a good time!  

Mom tried to stay sun-free at the beach with her huge hat.  She was out riding the waves with the boys and having a blast.  Paige took us on a morning speed walk on the beach and taught us yoga in the evening.  She is the true Mrs. Sportsman.

Melaine with Georgia.  She was my personal babysitter and took the baby any chance she could get.  It was heaven.  What a shame they live so far away.

Nana and Winfield in their tie-dye shirts.  

Caroline's birthday with many helpers to blow out the candles.

The whole gang (minus Daniel and Marian's family who left early, and Paige who must have taken the picture).  What a memorable trip for us.  It was a sacrifice for the family out west to get all the way to the east coast, but it made it so special for the kids to re-connect with their cousins.  I fear that as the years pass my children will be known as "the Wisconsin cousins" who the rest of the cousins never see.  I'm going to do my best to keep these ties strong.  If that means beach vacations, sign me up!  Newport, CA 2012 anyone?

Georgia's Baby Blessing

The happiest baby in the loveliest dress.

Gammy made this dress for Georgia and I love every stitch on it.

Christian gave a beautiful blessing and his tears began from the very start.  He blessed Georgia to find joy in her life, to be a companion to her mother (loved that), and to find strength from the words penned by her namesake.  It was a great day.

The master seamstress with her first granddaughter.

All tuckered out.

Step Aside Dr. Suzuki

Jack has been playing violin for almost two years now and finished the entire Suzuki Book 1, so he gave a solo recital and played every piece in the book.  Sounds crazy, I know, but that is what I did as a child and so I knew he could do it, too.  I was bursting with pride.  He did a beautiful job.

Pre-show nerves?  Not this kid - he was all focus.

Me saying something really inspiring like, "be sure to bow nice and slow," or the phrase I said to myself over and over and over before performances, "Just have fun!"

So serious and concentrated!

Victory!  I played the Minuets with him and it was so much fun for me.

I told Jack he could have any food his heart desired, so he chose "a Costco cake and ice cream".  The only one we could find that he loved had these bright balloons on it and said "Happy Birthday."  We scraped off the birthday, so it just read Happy!  He loved it.

And the prize for all of his hard work?  Mario Kart for the Wii.  He was as pleased as a kid could be and I was as proud as a mom could be.

Summer you can taste!

If you have never tasted Wisconsin frozen custard, you are missing a very decadent experience.  We took Gammy and Paddy to Leon's, the original custard joint which is said to have inspired Happy Days. 

Is there anything better than ice cream cones on a gorgeous summer night?

This is the cleanest Charles looked all night.  It was downhill from here.

"Look at my mustache, Mom!"

Paddy's boys

Someone else is pretty excited about summertime.  Georgia has turned into a little smiler.

Judge's Funeral

My humble, kind, gentle grandfather George Messenger Foote (Judge as we called him because he was a Louisiana Judge) passed away and we all met in Alexandria to honor him.  The whole family came, including all the in-laws and most of my cousins.  It was a really special gathering.

Gram holding her great-granddaughter

My sisters in-law: Daniel's wife Marian, David's wife Abby, Adam's wife Laura

and Cannon's wife Emily who is expecting their 6th child.  Isn't the bayou behind her lovely?

Georgia was crying then Madelynn started crying and we found it so funny, I had to take a picture.  Dad was a good sport.

Gram gave Georgia a string of pearls that she had been saving for my sister Georgia.  It was such a sweet reminder of her and we took lots of pictures - none of which I have except this one.  My uncle took some great ones, though.

This amazing live oak tree was planted when my mom was a little girl.  We all gathered at her childhood home and she told us a few stories (again) of when she was a child.  So many memories, even for me at that house!  I am proud to have some southern heritage and to be a Texas girl myself.

Ode to Adam, Laura, Jane, Audrey, and Madelynn

Oh how we miss our family!  It has been a month to the day since "The Marriotts" left on their circuitous route to Indiana and I still hear from Charles, "Where Jane and Audey?"  My thoughts exactly.  Every time we go swimming or sailing without them, I sigh.  Every time we drive past their house I sigh and tear up, every time I need a last-minute babysitter I sigh and complain - it's just not the same.  Every time I look at the never-blooming peony plant outside my back door I think about Adam (who transplanted it two years ago) and wish he would come bounding in the door with Kopps custard or flowers from their yard.  Don't even get me started on holidays - 4th of July was tough.  And every time I hit the speed dial on my cell phone to call Laura, life feels a little more normal for a few minutes.  What a treat it was to have them here!  I better get on with this post before I start crying.  

The love-hate relationship: Audrey and Charles

The gorgeous rolls of Madelynn

The non-girly things my boys sadly taught their cousins

And this unlikely couple?  Adam claims Audrey loves Christian more than she loves him.  Christian may not tear up, but I think he secretly misses the adoring little girl.  We all do.  We love you Adam and Laura!

Oh How They Grow!

First day of Kindergarten

Last day of Kindergarten