Thursday, September 3, 2009

North Carolina Road Trip!

Our NC Trip in Reverse order
Jen and I went to North Carolina to visit Sami in Cherry Point. We then headed to Winston Salem to Ben Alsup's wedding. It was like a big naval academy reunion (minus Matt Brown who we missed very much) and everyone had an incredible time. 
Ava doing the signature Jen Dance
Ava talking on the phone with Aunt Jen 
Ben and Bridget at the bubble reception the morning after the wedding 
The Hicksons! We miss them so much. Grace, Melissa, Aidan, and Sean 
My date for the weekend, Jen. 
Greg's date for the weekend, Garrett. 
We held sparklers as the couple exited the reception 
There they are! 
Not Jewish, but still a great tradition to do. 
Playing with the "Photo Booth" props. It looks like Greg is saying here, "Girl I am looking good!"
We were very sweaty at this point from dancing for 3 hours
The props were just too much fun!
Jen and I in the photo booth
Garrett caught the garter!
Pete dancing with Aidan. They were in matching outfits.
Greg and I doing the signature Jen Dance
Garrett playing the piano with Sean Hickson
Greg and Jen burning it up on the dance floor!
Matt's stand it for the night- Aidan 
Toasting the bride and groom
The kids had a blast! At first glance doesn't Grace look just like Ava? 
Hicksons and Valdezes minus a few offspring 
Jen, Melissa, and I
Melissa the wonder mom who makes having 3 kids under 4 look easy
Tom and Garrett giving a cheers to the groom Ben 
Burning up the dance floor with Garrett
This was the photo booth at the wedding- Such a great time!
Doesn't Greg look like Elton John's mother? 
Greg and his date
Nick and Julia
Ohhh Nick 
Bobby, Garrett, and Cliff
Bobby and Garrett. I can't decide if I liked Garrett's or Greg's woman persona better. 
Cliff and Megan 
Time to Boogie!
Ben and Bridget boogie time
very happy couple 
Greg and Garrett start dancing immediately following the ceremony
The girl dates- Jen, Megan, and Genna
We tired Aidan out
Ben and Bridget with all the Academy guys (minus Matt- we missed you!)
A good date picture before we got extra sweaty from dancing up a storm
Garrett dancing with Ben's Mom 
John and Genna
Nick and Julia- getting married next Fall!
Greg had baby fever and literally stole Aidan from the Hickson's and held him for about an hour and a half. 
Cliff and Megan
The Hickson kids are so well behaved
Jen with her stud muffin Aidan
Jen with Ben's Dad
The life of the party- Jean Alsup!
They missed each other
Bridget looked like Grecian Goddess! 
Ben anxiously awaiting his bride
The Ushers 
Garrett and Jen 
Smooch
We played the Wii fit one night and it was a great time. Jen is doing a crazy yoga workout here
I am virtually hula hooping here- So much fun but surprisingly difficult!
Caleb whooping up after getting a great ski score
Girls Night Out dinner with Jen and Sami
The girls- Cailin just turned 3
Sami is such a good mommy 
The girls- Jen makes us look so pale! 
such a cute couple 
family walk 
this was right before a big wave crashed on Jen 
I was testing to see how far I would actually have to bend my arms to do a push up 8 months pregnant. Didn't have to bend them that far....
This is where our GPS and Google Maps said where Sami lives. Ummm I think we are lost
Calling Sami to figure out why we are in the boonies.  Guess what, you don't get reception in the boonies! 
We were very lost. There were literally NO houses or civilization near us (Sami actually lives on this same road about 3 minutes away)
This was the sports coat that Greg borrowed to wear to the rehearsal dinner- it was HUGE on him and he looked so 1980s. 
We laughed SO hard and wish we could have seen him wear it at the rehearsal dinner. 
Ava getting a dose of Aunt Jen at our girls dinner at Jewish Mother
Ava was so entertained because we sat by the mirrors 
She was dancing and giggling watching herself for the majority of the dinner. 

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Family Project Weekend

Thank Goodness for Family! Mom, Bdad, and Aunt Jeannie came to VA Beach to celebrate Aunt Jeannie's birthday while Greg was gone. We had a wonderful time catching up and they helped me out on several projects I needed to work on before the new baby arrived. Bdad watched Ava while Aunt Jeannie, Mom, and I did our various projects.  Greg was ecstatic to find out that the majority of our major projects were completed when he came home from his detachment. Thank you so much for your help AJ, Bdad, and Momma Dukes! 
We cleaned out half of Ava's closet, unpacked all the newborn clothes, and organized the shelves in the closet.  This is the new baby's part of the closet. Aren't the clothes so itsy bitsy?
We painted this dresser white and changed the knobs to girly green. We also installed the railing into Ava's twin bed. Ava has adjusted very well to the new big girl bed. We are so thankful she has inherited her daddy's sound sleeping!
Aunt Jeannie put together this filing cabinet from Ikea that came in about 80 pieces with instructions in Swedish! Finally we have all our warranties and paper work all organized in one place. 
Ava loves Bdad's undivided attention. Bdad has a knack with toddlers especially since he was trained in pediatrics. 
We got new plants, mulch, decorative ground plates, cushions, and refinished the wicker chairs for the back yard. Great idea Aunt Jeannie!
playing with Bdad
Ava putting the bow on the birthday girl, Aunt Jeannie
Life of the party 
helping AJ unwrap her presents
She was inseparable with her great Bdad all weekend. Right here she is playing with Aunt Jeannie's balloon. 
She wanted to snuggle with her Gigi when she got tired. 
When everyone has wine, Ava loves to get out her margarita glass and toast with us. 
Dancing with her wine glass