WHOA

Wow. Talk about neglected...

So since February, what's "new?"

Andrew turned 2, Easter, lots of pool/beach/marina time, moving to a new house in October- maybe October. The first of the new houses will be done in October. Pop Pop, Grandma Ruth, Papaw and Mamaw all have come to visit. Andrew is no longer in speech therapy. My last lab day is July 22nd- TOMORROW! I went to the dentist today- no cavities.

REALLY NEW: Andrew is taking swimming lessons, I'm starting a new job on Monday, James is still being a Marine.

Next milestone: 6 years! We will be married for 6 years next month! That's officially the longest I've ever done anything. College was 5 years, High school 4 years, Middle school 3 years, Elementary school 5 years... WHOA!

Valentine's Day 3-Day Weekend

Yeah, yeah. It's been a while. Here's a recap of what happened this weekend.

We went to Carolina Beach for the 3-Day President's Day (Valentine's Day) Weekend! It SNOWED on the beach!

Don't believe me? This is the view from the condo:


Pretty awesome, right? Andrew thought so.


We walked out to the beach. It was cold, Andrew was not quite a fan...


Doesn't it just look frigid?


SNOW ON THE BEACH!


Okay, fast forward- back to the condo. It was really, really cold- and with a 2 year old, we just booked it back.

We took the token "snow at the beach"pictures, so now for the fun...


We built Andrew a REAL snowman!


He just stared at it...


Pretty anti climatic.

The NEXT day, we set out on a grand adventure. We went to the Oldest Lighthouse in N.C. "Old Baldy" on Bald Head Island. Bald Head Island's traffic consists of feet, bicycles, and golf carts. No cars allowed- except for the construction vehicles building the multi-million dollar beach houses. Maybe next year we'll put a bid in. (smirk)

I'm getting ahead of myself- we had to eat. Andrew had another first- his first CORNDOG!


Much like his mother, Andrew does not care for corn dogs.


But he's always got room for some CHEESE!


Anyway... to get there (Bald Head Island) from Ft. Fisher we had to take ferry! A ferry, who cares? Um... ANDREW (Joanne and James)! No one had ever been on a ferry- or "car boat" before!

On the CAR BOAT! Pretty exciting..




More CHEESE!


"Old Baldy" in the background:


Again, "Old Baldy" in the background:


"Old Baldy"


109 Steps to the top




The top!




Okay, so this post ends pretty abruptly... but here's a parting shot of my 2 Valentines walking back to the condo this morning- concluding our 3-Day Weekend.

The perfect Christmas picture! (Part 2)

In case you haven't checked your calendar, it's December. Time for Christmas trees and Santa Claus. And Mickey Mouse coloring books:



Since Andrew was booted from daycare because of a fever (he's fine, he's got 2 more teeth!) we put up the Christmas tree!

I like this picture because there's one of me when I was a kid doing almost the same thing. Andrew loves the tree. He comes out every morning, points at the unlit tree "Twee!"and demands that I turn it on.



This morning we went to have Breakfast with Santa!
There was a really nice Christmas tree there... since it's at the O Club- it's red, white, and blue.
This one's for you, DaDa:



Maybe this one too. Remember, I said these would be "decent," not good:



And since I am on a quest for the perfect Christmas picture, this one might be in the running. Although, a certain someone isn't in it. Now that I think about it... I don't think this is it. Anyway:



Back to Breakfast-

CHEESE!



No breakfast is complete without a candy cane!


Wait... is that...? Is that him?!


Last year Andrew sat on Santa's lap, but this year... not so much. He sat for about 16 seconds and had enough. Here's the best (okay, decent) shot:



I wasn't really happy with that, so we tried again. This time I gave the camera to a friend so she could help out. And that's when she captured my favorite of Andrew- technically- with Santa 2009. He's in the same frame, so therefore it's Andrew WITH Santa... right?




And since this morning was borderline hectic.... Here's your/my/our "Moment of Zen:"

The perfect Christmas picture! (Part 1)

Currently I'm annoying a photographer/card designer about what I want on our Christmas cards... which photo, what color(s), what font, etc. She's telling me I'm not a pain in the arse, but I'm starting to annoy myself.

Since Andrew was born and family lives far away, I've tripled or maybe quadrupled the amount of pictures I've taken.

"Off the Cutting Room Floor" was the first, and until now only, entry that showed the public what kind of photos appear on my camera. What I forgot to mention was my horrible picture taking abilities- both in front of the camera and behind. And so here's the Holiday edition for 2009.

Ho Ho Ho:


Not once, but twice:


Then there's the "too much eggnog" shots:


"You ghuys high fif, Mama'll haf mo' whissskey."


The child who won't cooperate shots:




...And the child who cooperates a little too much:
"Now take one with your mouths open... both of you!"




Part 2 of The perfect Christmas picture will actually have the GOOD (okay, decent) pictures and a little bit of what we were doing. Not that you can't figure it out from these.

Lots to be Thankful for

Here's a random list of some of the things, in no order what-so-ever, that I'm thankful for.

Friends, old and new. Chinese buffets. Family, to include in-laws. Babies. Getting a job that I like. Tarheel Opry House. Andrew. The United States Marine Corps. Caller ID. My husband, my sanctuary.

I hope everyone had a nice, non-eventful, and safe Thanksgiving. Despite your crazy ass families.

Oh, I'm also very thankful for the internet.

And here's a picture, because I know the real reason you all read this...

Pumpkin Carving Party

Step 1: Get pumpkins from Mike's Farm. (Check.)
Step 2: Carve pumpkins at fun pumpkin carving party (complete w/chili and apple cider)...

On our way! This is also the "before" shot of the pumpkins.


Let's say "during" the carving.


Andrew really had no intention of sitting on my lap.


He wanted to run, hide in the bushes, eat chili, squeal, laugh, dig in the dirt, kick the ball with big kids. Which leads to a dirty face and a runny nose w/dirt in it. Sorry...


Then he got to hang out with the Big Boys.


Andrew with the finished products.


After: a spider and a bat


Lit up!


Step 2: ...(Check.)

Mike's Farm Fun

Yesterday we hauled Team Holt out to Mike's Farm. It was the first weekend they were opened for the fall season, which includes a hayride out to the pumpkin patch!!

And I brought my camera! However, it had a low battery so there are no pictures of Andrew with the animals. He saw chickens, goats, a sheep, a llama, and his favorite: a donkey. The donkey came over and Andrew got to feed him (although the signs said to not feed him by hand) by hand! He was a gentle donkey and just lipped at his hand... I'm not even sure Pedro (the donkey) had teeth.

Okay, so here are the pictures!

Plan of attack:


Andrew's so punk rock.


I'm pretty sure he tried to pick up every pumpkin he saw.


See what I mean:


There was a tractor....


...that I could not get him away from!


Eventually we got on the hayride that took us to the pumpkin patch!

He spotted "this one..."


...and that one...


...and tried to ride this one.


Did I mention he tried to pick them all up?


Success!


We came home with three (3) pumpkins!!