Random Pics from Charlotte

A second post in one day (and there will be a third)...WOW! Anyway, Nick and I drove down to Charlotte where my sister lives with her four children. My mom has been staying at her house, and we thought we would go spend the weekend with them the weekend my grandfather passed away since we couldn't go to New Zealand. We spent some quality time with my mom and the kids. I had not seen my nieces and nephews for over a year. Here are some random pics. Robin, I thought you would like to see how much Cate has grown (didn't you see her as an infant?). Sydney is the only one not in the pictures because she had just left when we took these.

My sister, Cate, and me

Cate, me Nick, John, and Andrew (on the bottom step)

Andrew acting silly!

Does He think He is the King or What!

This is how I found Milo in the middle of the night the other night...all nice and comfy on my nice satin pillow sham (husband threw pillow to the end of bed and pillow fell to the floor). Milo sleeps on our hard bedroom floors. We haven't bought him a new bed quite yet because he tore up the last two we got him. Notice his eyes are half open. He would NOT get off this pillow until I pulled him off. I don't want his black hair all over my sham! He must think he is King Milo!

Goodbye, Granddad

Today is a very sad day. The (only) man you see above is my granddad. He passed away in his sleep today. He was 101 years old! Even though he had definitely lived his life, it is still very sad to think that the only grandparent I ever knew has passed on (both my grandmothers and my other grandfather were already dead when I was born). My grandfather was an amazing man...a man full of stories from his past. Granddad lived through WWI and fought in WWII. When I got married in 2005, granddad (at the age of 98) flew across the world, from New Zealand to the U.S., specifically for my wedding. That was the most special wedding gift anyone could have ever received. That also was the last time I saw him. He will be greatly missed. I love you, granddad! 7/27/1907-9/12/2008

Oops...I just realized that my nephew is in one of the pics above (along with my other nieces). I must post that the pictures were taken by Jennifer Hughes Photography.

HELP!

Does anyone know how to upload videos? I have been trying to upload these videos via blogger for hours. For some reason, I was able to get the one video uploaded. Any suggestions?

A Long Weekend of FUN!

My best friend of 20 years, Jennifer, came to visit me this past weekend along with her mom and her sister Hayley. We all had a BLAST. But, of course, when there is fun, there is extreme exhaustion! That is how I feel at this moment. Here is a run down of our fantastic weekend...

They arrived around lunch time on Saturday. After we left the airport and picked up Nick, we went and ate at Five Guys Burgers and Fries. For anyone who hasn't heard of this place, trust me, they have the BEST burgers and fries of anywhere I have ever been. Next, we gave them a driving tour around Baltimore and then dropped Nick back off at the house so he could go to a baseball game. We headed to Annapolis...

Me and Jennifer

Hayley, me, and Jennifer

A cool flower arrangement that I saw one someone's door while we were in Annapolis.

On Sunday, we (including Nick and Milo...our dog) headed to D.C. for the day....

The only photo I was able to snap of Nick and Milo.

Jennifer and Me

This was at the Franklin D. Roosevelt memorial. I have been to D.C. countless of times and have seen the monuments, but this was my first time to see this one. If you come to D.C., you check this one out. There is more to it then what you see in the picture.

The Lincoln monument

The Washington monument in a distance

Hayley, Jennifer, and their mom Christie

The Vetenam memorial

After the day in D.C., we headed back to Baltimore and took them for their first experience of eating hard shell crabs. I like eating hard shell crabs, but I personally think it is too much work to eat so I usually only eat two or three. Christie loved it, while Jennifer and Hayley thought it was okay. Pics of our eating experience...

On Monday, we (not including Nick) headed to Ocean City, Maryland, for the day to lay out on the beach. Normally, it takes about 2 1/2 hours to get there, but that morning before we left, there had been a BAD accident on the Bay Bridge and traffic was backed up for miles. So, we went a totally different direction, and it took us 3 1/2 hours to get there. We still had plently of time to hang out on the beach and walk the boardwalk. We went the normal way (across the bridge) home in 2 1/2 hours. Beach pics...

On Tuesday, we headed to the Inner Harbor to do some shopping before the American Idol Tour concert that night. That's right, I said American Idol. We all really got into this past season's contestants. They were AWESOME, especially David Cook (and David Archuleta). Well, I only got one picture while were in the Harbor. You see, I had an inside source who told me where the AI ten were staying (do I sound like a teeny bopper or what). So, we headed to the Gallery to do some shopping. The Gallery is attached to the hotel where they were staying. Hayley and I just happen to go out in front of the hotel as the AI ten started to load their buses. We called Jennifer and Christie to hurry up and meet us in front of the hotel. So, we watched them load their bus. Hayley (who is a David A. FANATIC) yelled "Hi, David!" David A. turned around and waved to her (we were the only people standing out there). Needless to say, Hayley was BESIDES herself. Here is a pic of Christie trying to snap a picture, which we got told to put our cameras away...

We went to the concert that evening and had a GREAT time!! I got a lot of pics of different people performing. I took some video of Jason Castro, David A., and David C. Had I know how to work the video part of my camera at one point, I would have filmed Michael Johns, too. After the concert, we got some autographs. Hayley was excited to get David A. to sign her ipod. David C. and Jason didn't come out to sign autographs (who blames them).

Heading to the concert

Walking into First Mariner Arena

Here are some pics and video of the concert...

Michael Johns is so HOT and he has a sexy accent!!

Brooke playing on the piano. She had a really good performance!

Jason Castro is adorable! I figured out how to use the video on my camera during his performance. Here is some video of him...

Hayley getting ready for her man David A. to perform.

My favorite idol: DAVID COOK...

The top ten

We had a wonderful time over the four-day visit. I couldn't have asked for better weather to go along with their visit also. The highs were in the high 70's to low 80's, no humidity, and plenty of sunshine the entire time. Miss you Jennifer, Hayley, and Christie already!!

P.S. I will be posting updates on our house soon.

P.S.S. This post has taken me WAY to long to do (3 hours)!

P.S.S.S. I have sat here for about an hour trying to download my video of David A. and David C. singing and it isn't working. I'll try again another day.

Our Bedroom

So, FINALLY, here are pictures of our 99% completed bedroom. We still have to put 3/4 round around the floors and hang the door. We are waiting to hang the door until we finish putting hardwood flooring down in the upstairs hallway.

We don't have central AC, so we have to use window units.

This picture is a little dark. That is the sleigh bed that I have always wanted :). We got it after we finished the room.

Like I mentioned above, we still have to hang the door. As you can see, we have drywall hung, taped, and mudded in the hallway. Now we just need to get around to sanding it!


This wall is the main long wall in the room. Eventually, I will be putting a dresser on that wall. My old chest works for now but not for too long! I found a dresser and side tables that I absolutely LOVE!!! I just have to wait until we have some extra money and who knows when that will be!

Just thought this was a neat picture of the brick wall.

Crazy to see how far we have come with this darn room! For those of you just coming to my blog, you'll have to go back to the beginning and see what this room looked like when we bought our house. Upstairs bathroom(s) renovation pics to come.....

Good-bye Desktop, Hello Laptop!

So, you are probably wondering where I have been lately...well, our desktop computer is seeing its old age and decided to SLOOOOW down on us. I was having problems accessing photos, music, etc.; everything I use the computer for. My very caring, wonderful husband went out tonight and charged our credit card back up and purchased me a very nice laptop so that I can keep up with sites like this one. Thank you, baby! So, now that I am back online (while I sit on my comfy bed...yea!), I can regularly keep up with my website.

We are (and have been) living in our nicely renovated "master" bedroom for about a little over a month now. We still have a little work to do in the closet area and have started on both upstairs bathrooms. Our goal is to have those done by mid to end of July. Once I get all my photos transferred to my NEW laptop, I will post photos on those rooms.

Glad to be back!