Wednesday, April 30, 2014

A weekend in DC!

For Christmas this year, Eddie's sister gave me a card.  In the card, she wrote that for my Christmsa present, she was buying me a plane ticket to come visit her for a weekend in DC! I was so so so so SO SO excited for this trip- you have NO idea.  Carrie and I are close- duh- and we have a blast when we are together! I couldn't wait for uninterrupted fun time with CB!

Fast forward to last week....

We came home from Easter at the beach on Sunday.  Sunday night, Andy threw up.  The stomach bug has been traveling around Chapel Hill at a crazy pace.  It hits the kids first- and they typically throw up and then spend the next day sleeping.  Andy followed that exactly.  He was up Sunday night sick and then slept a bunch on Monday.  Also the standard for this bug is for the adults to get hit...HARD.  My friends Sally and Ramsey both had it and both described it as feeling a bit like a truck hit you after running a marathon.  Great!

I was determined to not get this thing.  DETERMINED.  Nothing would interrupt my weekend away in DC!

Friday, I headed to the airport feeling great.  I had two bloody Mary's



 and some lunch and got on the flight.  As I was getting on board, the news on the TV at the gate was sounding the tornado watch alarm.  Apparently, it didn't worry American Airlines, so we headed to the runway in our itty bitty little plane.  We had to sit on the runway for a bit and the plane was seriously shaking in all the wind.  It was crazy!
When we finally got clearance to take off, I can honestly say it was THE roughest flight I have ever been on.

Let me just say- I am not a nervous flyer.  At all.  It takes a lot for me to be nervous.  A LOT.  I am Eddie's balance when we fly-- he isn't what we would call calm.  But on this flight....I had a death grip on the arm rests-white knuckles and all- and actually said the Lord's Prayer...! Seriously! ANY WAY!

I landed and CB was waiting for me and texted that we were going straight to happy hour, suitcase and all! I am always up for happy hour so I was excited!


We hopped on the metro and headed into town. My stomach started churning a little bit, but we thought maybe it was the bumpy flight (and the bloody marys pre flight).  One sip of wine at the wine bar led me to believe otherwise, but I was determined to feel fine!

After several trips to the restroom (ahem) and hearing Carrie describe the kind of food we would be having that night for dinner, I seriously thought I was going to get sick all over the bar.  Carrie could tell I wasn't feeling well and the second her friend got up to use the bathroom, I told her I was sick.  I was achy and extremely nauseous. She canceled our dinner reservations and we headed to her (adorable) condo.  I curled up on her couch and we watch Crazy, Stupid, Love in hopes of Ryan Gosslin making me feel better.  Carrie ordered dinner in and I wore a track in the floor between the couch and the bathroom.

Saturday morning, I woke up, determined to mind-over-matter this bug.  I told myself I felt great and I was ready to see DC! We had big plans for the day....bottomless brunch, walking down by the cherry blossom trees, seeing monuments, etc etc...

We headed to brunch with a friend and I had the mindset to be feeling great! The food was Asian-y brunch food.  I ate some of it, but it wasn't sounding too good to me.  I sampled a few things, but didn't eat a whole lot.  The champagne, on the other hand, tasted great.  I am assuming the bubbles of the champagne had the same effect of gingerale- it tasted great and soothed my stomach.  So I drank. And I drank.  And I drank some more.  Not real proud of myself here. 


Also- I should note that, while at brunch, I got a call from Eddie that Cal was sick at a birthday party.....a birthday party where he dropped him off with Sally.... I was texting Sally and Eddie and feeling about as close to the worst mother ever for not being there with my sick kid.  THANK GOD for Sally.  She took him into the shower and bathed him while waiting for Eddie to come pick him up.  I mean.... good friend right there, I tell ya. 

Back to Saturday in DC...we walked around and saw some cool stuff and I decided to document the walk....






 We worked out way down by the monument where I took a little "nap" under the trees.



 After being there for a while, CB suggested we head back to her place for a little nap.   A power nap on the couch helped and we got dressed and headed over to a friend's house so I could meet her.  Meghan was SUPER sweet and I loved meeting her family, but right when we walked in, I got a hot flash (I am an old woman!) and then CB made margaritas for everyone.  I had two sips and felt a tad bit like death.  I think CB saw I was turning a bit green so we headed to the restaurant where she made reservations.  It was an adorable place and the food looked amazing! After my third trip to the bathroom (ughhhhh), and zero sips of wine....(!!!!), I came back to Carrie asking for to-go boxes (I am such a loser!).

We headed home and I curled back up on the couch.  Carrie had to text a friend we were going to meet later on that I wasn't feeling well --- blah!

Sunday morning, I woke up actually hungry.  I ate a piece of cold pizza from the fridge and it actually sat pretty well!  We went to brunch at THE best place with another one of Carrie's friends.  It was soooo yummy, and I was able to eat it all! woooohoooo!

The her sweet friend drove us to the airport (Carrie rode along just for fun-ha!) and then Carrie and I said bye before she took the metro back home! She was SUCH a good sport putting up with me.  She made so many fun fun plans, and we didn't get to do any of those things... all the more reason to repeat the trip!!!! I loved DC-- haven't been there since being an "adult" (I use that term loosely...see above pictures of said napping....) and would love to go back there again!!!!! Carrie was an awesome host and I can't even imagine how much fun we would have had with a healthy tummy-- we had soooo much fun even with me not at 100%!!!!


 I got set on the airplane ride home with my unsweet tea (I am still off of diet coke!) and my kindle (reading Chelsea Handler's new book) and looked forward to hugging my little guys-- and one big guy!


I always love the hugs I get when I come home from being gone.... they are sweeter and tighter and longer.  I missed this crazy crew!!!







THANK YOU for having me, CB!!!! I love you so much and can NOT wait to come back and visit you again!!!!!



 

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Easter Weekend at the BEACH

Cal was on spring break last week and Andy didn't have school on Friday, so we headed to the beach for a long weekend! Andy had an Easter Egg Hunt at school on Wednesday- Cal and I went home while he was at school and loaded the car and cleaned the house (ps- it was soooo nice to come home to a vacuumed, mopped, dusted house....!). We picked Nug up at noon and hit the road!


Before school- Andy was feeling a bit Superman-ish/Woody:


 The trip down was uneventful-- a nice treat for me! The car was LOADED-- Easter baskets, two boys, a dog, two bikes, two scooters, a strider bike, plus our bags....! Eddie was coming down Thursday night-- not sure we could have fit another person and their things in the car!


When we got there, it was beautiful out-- a little windy, but the sun was shining so we played outside for a little bit.  The boys were SO excited to be there and to see Henry!


Thursday morning we woke up to the sun shining! Again, it was windy, but the sun was warm so we got up and got ready to play outside! Well...I sent Cal to get ready to go and found him in this rocker, looking out the window like an old man.  He got half way undressed and then sat himself down for a little rock.   


Andy loves to drive this little car- LOVES it.  He is a really good driver too-- he can navigate anything! He drives by smiling and waving and laughing....it's hard not to smile at him when he is so happily playing!


 My dad was taking a golf cart ride so the boys jumped on too- I love this picture of them! Great smiles all around!


Mom and I had a great time watching everyone playing...we cracked open a bottle of champagne and finished it by noon! How cute is my mom? Love spending time with her.


Grandpa and Cal got on the hammock together- Cal didn't want to sit there for long so I grabbed a quick picture before he bolted!


We spent the rest of Thursday playing outside-- everyone was exhausted at the end of the day!

Friday morning we woke up and Eddie was there- yay! He came in late Thursday night.  We all walked down on the docks.  I took a few pictures with the boys...Hank jumped in too!



We played hard all morning and then I took a long walk with my mom and aunt.  We came home, fed the boys lunch and then Andy took a great nap.  He curled up on the couch and was OUT! 


We had some of our friends from here who were down at the beach over for an Easter Egg Hunt.  We had THE best time hiding the eggs! Thankfully the weather held out for us too!


The boys displayed incredible amounts of restraint! They saw all of the eggs and we made them wait on the top deck for all of their friends to arrive-- they were pointing to all of the eggs and screaming when they saw more.

Almost everyone arrived! They were waiting on two more kids...I made them all put one finger on the truck to try to hold them back.  It was so funny watching them inch forward with a finger touching...

 Everyone is there and ready!

After the hunt-- showing off their loot!


Andy immediately sat down and started eating his food.  He totally did not *get* that you can save some for later.  He was afraid I was going to take it away, I think.  He shoved literally about 12 jelly beans and 4 chocolate eggs in his mouth at once.  Eddie was freaking out-- he kept saying "you have GOT to explain this concept to him, Carrie! He is going to eat everything at once!!!" Well- you try explaining that to a two year old.


Andy got out his truck and took turns giving different ladies rides around the yard.  He was SO happy cruising around in his truck! He even let Alston drive....


My parents got this swing and it is incredibly awesome.  It is a HUGE hit and I think we are going to ask for one for our house too.  The kids all LOVE this thing.  (Jill G- if you are reading this-- you have to get this swing! Your kids will love it! Promise!).  These kids had soooo much fun swinging together!



Andy cruising again with Kenan....


Then, the love machine got into the swing with Nora-- I should add here that Andy wanted NOTHING to do with the swing when other people were on it... he only would be on it alone- and no one could push him.  But he climbed right up there with Nora! And then he didn't want to get off!


A group pic with the kids and their parents....


Everyone stayed until about dinner time and then headed home.  It was so much fun! A tradition I hope continues every year.

Saturday morning we woke up to torrential rain.  It was pouring like I have never seen it pour before.  The wind was blowing like crazy too- good thing the egg hunt was over!

The boys asked Grandpa to make pancakes-- Andy offered his services too.


We headed to the aquarium (along with every other person on the island!).  Andy was in heaven the entire time there.  We have gone a million times and hasn't really been in to any one part.... but this trip, he couldn't get enough.  We had to drag him from exhibit to exhibit-- he wasn't ready to leave any of them!  I love his little hand on the glass in the pic below.  The sea turtles were swimming by and he was in awe. 


We came home and ate lunch and he crashed again.  I don't know why I always take pictures of him sleeping... maybe because he looks so peaceful...and QUIET...


After rest time, we dyed Easter eggs! We looked over at one point and Cal had his entire hand submerged in the dye!


Baths followed the egg dying...after baths, grandpa and nug got some snuggle time in. 


The Easter bunny came Saturday night... 


After the kids went to bed Saturday night, Hank was asleep on the floor and Henry kept inching closer and closer to him-- he was getting braver!

 Hank just wanted to sleep and Henry was not having it! He wanted to play or cuddle.....or possibly nurse...?

Love this pic from Easter morning.  My mom gave them the cutest little baskets-- these workerman hats were in there.  


Ever since Disney, Cal has been requesting legos.  He saw some at the lego store at downtown disney.  I got him a Lego Juniors kit- Eddie offered to "help" him put it together.  Let me just tell you.... Eddie + Legos does NOT = happiness! HAHAHA! He was SO proud when he put the last piece together.  We were all very proud of him... you can see how much "helping" the boys did!


We headed home around lunch time on Sunday.  The rain was still pouring down so we hit the road.  Andy passed out early into the drive and slept for about an hour.  That should have been my sign he wasn't feeling well.... the stomach bug hit him late Sunday night....

And, judging by how the rode on the way home:
it will be traveling through our fam in no time!

We had a great weekend at the beach with the family.  Got me SO excited for summer at the beach!!




 

Sunday, April 20, 2014

carriedaway: week 12

week 12:

(side note: I created this hashtag for instagram to document all these pictures thinking that no one would ever use it and I would be able to click on it and see all of my "carriedaway" pics! Well, apparently, it was the theme of a prom last weekend...! HA! If you are on instagram, do yourself a favor and click on my hashtag... you are guaranteed a good laugh!)

 Day 99: Hank and Henry

 Day 100 (!!!!): Poppy came to town!

 Day 101: while daddy's away, the boys and I will play!

 Day 102: the amazingly talented Katie Porterfield's art show tonight... SO proud of you, Katie! You are an amazing artist!

 Day 103: Future Master's golfer?

Day 104: shoe shopping. I begged them to pick out non-matching shoes.  The refused...matching shoes again.

 Day 105: isn't this how everyone types?


 
 
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