12.22.2013

A Simple Thank You

Today I wanted to say thanks to family and friends.

We always loved getting together with the families when we were living closer. Sunday dinners at my parents house were the best, all my brothers, their wives, nieces and nephews sitting around the table laughing at funny stories from family vacations or stunts pulled by one, or a number of us, while we were growing up. Sometimes it surprises me that we all made it through our childhood, and with such great relationships now. Of course these are all things we can laugh about now but maybe weren't so funny when they happened. We would get together with Pauls' family and play games for hours. I have really missed getting together with all the family, watching as my nieces and nephews grow up or having my sister so close that I could stop by anytime.

One of my biggest worries about living so far away, wasn't even for me, but for Abigail and others children who would join our family. I was worried that because we wouldn't be able to go to every family gathering, birthday party or holiday event that family members would forget her. Of course we keep up with family over many different types of social media but what about her birthday, Christmas and other family memories?

We came home the other day after some quick errands and found a box at our front door. It was a Christmas gift from a Great Aunt! This is the same Aunt that sent her a birthday gift that she still takes around everywhere with her, it's a little doggie purse. When it was her birthday, Abigail got a number of cards in the mail with sweet notes from family. My favorite part was watching her. Once she noticed the brightly colored envelop she would gasp with excitement, tare it open then run over to me so I could read it to her and we could look at all the fun images on the cards. It was a week long of birthday excitement, waiting to see if and who she would get something from. Her grandma will usually send a card for all the holidays, letting her know that Grandma is thinking of her and is so excited to see her again. Right now Abigail is too little to get all sentimental about it and I'm sure it means more to me right now than her, but we love that others take the time and make sure she knows she is loved.

So, I wanted to say THANK YOU to all those who have and will continue to remember her when the families get together, as she reaches different milestones and as holidays come and go! 

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3.20.2013

Spring Break at the OBX

For Spring Break we had the chance to go down to North Carolina and spend some time at my cousins condo. This semester has been such a busy one for Paul and so the chance to get away as a family was just what we needed. I was hoping for warm weather so that I could take Lady A into the water and so we could go walk around the fun little towns.

The drive down there took forever and when you add a toddler it takes even longer. She only slept for a total of two hours in the car so we had to stop a number of times to get out and stretch. After 14 hours we finally made it. The sun was shinning and the temperature was perfect, but it would soon be bed time so we ordered pizza then put Abigail to bed.

My cousin and her husband just bought the condo and have done a lot to renovate it. Walking in the front door was like walking into home. Immediately it felt like home, so cozy and calm, just like a beach condo should be. There was a balcony that over looked the courtyard and ocean, this was Abigail's FAVORITE spot. Trying to get her to come in was like pulling teeth. Sunday was a bit chilly so we stayed in watching movies and enjoying having nothing to do. Abigail insisted on the balcony door remaining open so she could go in and out, her little hands were so chilly by she insisted on staying out to be in the wind.

Monday we went to the Wright Brothers Museum and National Park. It was fairly simple but enough to for us. We walked to the top of the monument and Abigail loved the wind that greeted us up there. We, of course, got our traditional book and playing cards that we normally get when we go on vacation. This time was also got one for Abigail so that she can start building her collection from places she has visited.

The sun came out for a bit but it was nap time, that is the way it seems to go. After nap time it was perfect to go out to the beach. Overcast and too cold to get in the water, we all walked along the beach looking for fun shells. At first Abigail wasn't sure about walking on the sand until she noticed us picking up shells and putting a couple in my pocket. It took her no time at all to get into that, she even picked up crab bits and pieces, and tried to help me find all the good ones worth putting in my pocket. There were some seagulls that were out too and Abigail kept trying to catch them. All in All, I think she really enjoyed her first visit to the beach.

As it got close to the time we needed to go in I could see the fog closing in on us. While we got dinner ready Abigail was out on the balcony {not a surprise} and the fog got thicker. In the evening the fog was so thick we couldn't see any other condos except those around the same courtyard as us. The lighting effect was so neat as exterior building lights would beam through the diagonal slats underneath the buildings.



You might be wondering what has captivated her so. Well it was the last two hours of the drive and we were NOT going to stop. So I took Pauls' iPhone {because I forgot the portable DVD player ~ hello McFly} plugged it into the power and the AUX for the stereo, Then I put hair elastics around either end and strung a cord through them and attached it to the head rest of Pauls' seat. Abigail watched 'Dispicable Me' for the last bit of the drive and we were able to make it in peace and quiet.

Don't mind the bed head they both have going on.






 
Seagulls!!!


You can see the shock on his face as the freezing water hits him.



On the way home we were able to stop my to see my cousin and her husband. I love having family out here {still a bit of a drive} that we can go and visit, spend holidays with and enjoy their company. They were right along the way home and we last saw them for Thanksgiving this was the perfect chance to stop by and thank them for the weekend at the condo. It was also a great way to break up the drive home for Abigial and to miss all of the rush hour traffic we would hit.

1.15.2013

Time to Catch Up

Ok....really, there is no way to catch up over the last year.

We have been so busy, two moves, a month in Utah for Christmas and a lot of family. So Instead of trying to go over it all, how about we do a photo recap.






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