Port Credit (and Toronto) trip

R's Canadian business partner's daughter got married in September, and we were invited to the wedding. Luckily, happily, my Mom was able to go with us. This enabled us to go to the wedding without Little Miss AND most importantly, we got to spend some time with Grandma. Oma and Opa also attended the wedding, so lucky Julia got to see three of her grandparents in one weekend.

We also enjoyed Port Credit's Blues and Jazz Festival. The festival was within walking distance of our hotel. The weather was beautiful, and we also enjoyed some time on the swings and at the playground.

The wedding was great fun. The wedding ceremony itself was very traditional, but the reception was unique and full of personal touches. The reception was held at restored movie theater where the seats have been removed to form an event space. The reception also featured a photobooth and a Bollywood-style first dance by the entire wedding party. The food, music, and flowers at the wedding were wonderful. Because the bride's family is Italo-Canadian, and the groom is from an Irish family, I learned the term (and found out I was a) mangiacake.

On Sunday, we enjoyed some sightseeing in Toronto and celebrated Grandma's birthday with a lunch in the Distillery District.

This trip marked Julia's first international trip, earning her a stamp in her brand new passport!


Julia, at the beginning of our journey


Grandma and Julia start their visit on the airplane


The view of Toronto from our Port Credit hotel room


Julia having fun


Grandma enjoying the swing, too


Our little family


Wheeeeeeee!


Julia and her balloon at the music festival


The site of the reception


Enjoying a playground nearby the hotel


Oma & Grandma enjoying the park


A little time for sightseeing in Toronto

Meredith's Baptism

I was honored to be asked to be my niece Meredith's godmother. We returned to Apex for Meredith's baptism. Julia enjoyed spending more time with her cousins and seeing her Grandma and Grandpa. We enjoyed a cook-out at Charlie & Kylelyn's house on Saturday and the lovely baptism service on Sunday. Baby Meredith looked adorable in her christening gown, and proud big brother, Scott, helped out with putting out the candles.


The cousins


Grandpa and Meredith


Enjoying a walk


The two godmothers


The proud parents


Grandma & Julia


Julia


Scott takes his job seriously.

Highlands: Lake Glenville Trip in Cashiers

We had a great week in Highlands to visit Oma and Opa in July; the highlight of the trip was the day Opa rented a boat on Lake Glenville in Cashiers for the afternoon. We had a great time on the water, taking in the scenery including the pretty waterfalls.

Julia took a few minutes getting used to the boat, then she loved it. She tried to help Opa steer the boat. Jake proved to be a great water dog.

Papa, Oma, and Uncle Roger got soaked when we hit the wake of another boat, but we all managed to get dry in time to eat a delicious dinner at Happ's. It was a day to remember.

Trip to Apex

Julia and I traveled down to Apex, NC during the last weekend in May to visit my brother, Charlie, his wife, Kylelyn, and their little ones, Scott and Meredith. We had a great time. I loved watching Julia interact with her cousins. It was a beautiful weekend, and we enjoyed a festival at the lake, the playground, dinner on the screened porch, the pool, and a walk on the greenway. Julia and Scott played in the bath together both nights before bedtime.

Julia has been talking about "Uncle Chahh-lee, Aunt Ky-lyn, SCOTT, and Baby Meh-e-neh" ever since.

Trip, Part 2: Hilton Head Island

While Julia enjoyed the farm with Grandma, Grandpa drove me to the airport to pick up R and the rental car. R and I drove to Hilton Head to spend a few nights to celebrate our 5th anniversary. We missed Julia, but we had a great time and really liked Hilton Head.

Here are a few things we liked about Hilton Head:

1) There are many bike paths to explore, and you can ride on the beach!! Wonderful. We even road our bikes to dinner a couple of times.







2) Beautiful live oaks with Spanish Moss.


3) The building ordinances keep the colors in a nice, natural palette, and the signage standards keep the signs low and unobtrusive.

4) The beaches are nice, and the weather in May is lovely (except for the occasional rain storm).


5) There are over 240 restaurants on the island, and there are some very tasty ones. We sampled fine dining and casual dining. For casual dining, you can't beat The Salty Dog Cafe. After seeing those t-shirts most of my life, I assumed it was very touristy and didn't plan to go, but we stumbled upon the spot while exploring Sea Pines. It has a great outdoor deck, overlooking a marina. At night, we returned to The Salty Dog for dinner off the grill and live music.

It was a great trip and a great anniversary. Julia had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa, and we were all happy to be reunited on Sunday!!

Trip, Part 1: The Farm

Julia and I headed down to the farm to see Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Marty. We celebrated Mother's Day by going to church, then to a wonderful lunch out. Julia enjoyed visiting with lots of relatives. She also had a fun time seeing the horses, cows, goats, chickens, and Marty's dog, Lucy.

She enjoyed getting the mail with Grandma and riding the Mule with Grandpa. We both had such a good time.


Julia holding court.


Julia loves her Uncle Marty.


She liked playing with the pebbles.


Shoes are optional on the farm.


Julia took one look at Lucy and started calling her "Mouse."


Ruckus and one of the colts.


Taking carrots to the horses.


Holding her cousin, Caleb - She kept saying, "Hold Baby! Hold Baby!"


Going to get the paper with Grandma.


Mule ride with Grandpa.


Who is having more fun?


Farm work makes you thirsty!