Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Summer Ice Cream Social

Our small group had a summer ice cream social last Sunday. Thought you would enjoy the pictures of Ben below. His friend John hosted the event. These two are about a week apart. They play so well together...it great! Ben could not get enough!



John liked the ice cream, too!



Ahh....summer days!


Ben's Surgery

Ben's home now....sleeping off the anesthesia. He woke up really groggy this time....not like after the tongue surgery. But, we are so happy that he did well and should be back to himself in a day or two. He will be a little uncomfortable. But, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Here are some pictures in pre-op.
He had to wear the gown. So sad!




Monday, July 27, 2009

Prayers Please...

Just wanted to let you all know that Ben's surgery for his belly button is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7:30 am. We have to be at the hospital by 5:30....yuck! It is an outpatient procedure! Thanks, friends!

Highlights...

Ben got a new "ride": We visited North Beach, MD to see our friends (The Garner's). I just can't get enough of little Abby. It is hard to believe that she will be 1 at the end of August!

We went to the North Beach water park.


Then, our friend Kristin had a birthday dinner! I tried to entertain their son Brian....but he didn't want me!

Brayden was at the party. Guess who's crawling (like a worm):

Ben got another new ride. I was able to hit up the Kids Exchange and scored big on cheap toys. A lot of toys are for PNG, but this one is a keeper now:


Check out Ben's new shades....courtesy of dad!
Then, we entertained Abby and Della. Ben loves these dogs. They are so much better then Kirk around kids:

Hugs!

These dogs belong to our friends Kerry and David who managed to sell their house and find one to rent in Portland before the week-end even began. Congrats, friends!

Summer BBQ!


When we returned home from Orlando, we had a summer BBQ! It was a chance to let others know what we had learned and what steps are next. If you can't tell already, we may be planning to leave the country in January, but this whole "going over" is going to take so many people....it will truly be a joint effort. we are always looking for people who want to be a part of this!
Caleb's parents ventured from Charlotte....which was a nice treat! At the last minute, my dad had to go to Alaska....so we missed seeing Beach Grammy and Beach Grandpa. Below, is a picture of Caleb "talking to the group".....and behind his a TV with other friends! They "visited" via TokBox. It was so cool. I was so distracted. We were able to include friends from the west coast, mid west and eastern shore. Too fun!
The food was fabulous....everyone actually pitched in to help! We figured that since everyone would be helping us while we are "on the field", why not practice working together now by all pitching in to cook! hehe!

Buna was in charge of the grill!

The men husked the corn, cut the watermelon and "manned" the grill.

The women worked on the squash, corn, bread and dessert. We also watched the babies and looked pretty!

Jennifer, Amy and Jennifer


Ta-Da!

Sauteed squash, bacon-wrapped shrimp, chicken, corn, bread and watermelon!

And the prettiest cupcakes you've ever seen. They were each filled with something different! Some had cream cheese filling and others had cookie dough filling! YUM!

Ben loved being the center of attention:

Below is a good picture of the bruise Ben got on his forehead at Chick-Fil-A the night before. It was a shiner and he was proud of his "boo-boooooo"!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

MeeMom and PopPop Visit

When we returned from Orlando, we were busy spending time with friends, working on our newsletter, getting back into a "routine" and I was finishing up my work at the Department of Revenue. I felt like we had something going every night. Then, my mom and stepfather visited the following week-end. It was a great visit!

Funny Story- The Friday that they drove from Baltimore to Raleigh was Chick-fil-A's Cow Appreciation Day. (Google it!) If you dress up like a cow, you get a free meal. My mom and stepfather dressed liked cows and drove down I-95 stopping at every Chick-Fil-A they could find. (OK....it was only 2 Chick-Fil-A's, but I like the picture in my mind of them stopping at each one....dressed like cows driving...totally abusing the free food! hehe!)


When they arrived, Ben and I made costumes and went to Chick-Fil-A for dinner. Caleb was the only one who did not particpate in the fun!

MeeMom and I in our "pre-cow" get-up!
Family Photo- We're pretending the toy cow is Caleb!

Love the little tail!

We even had "live" entertainment- tap dancers! Ben was mesmorized...

It was brought to my attention...

That I have seriously dropped the ball with my blog posts! (Thanks, Amy, for the accountability!) To be honest, I have been avoiding the blog because I KNEW that I was seriously behind!

So, here goes....let the pictures begin!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Updates!

Hey Friends,

So sorry that I have been MIA. We have had quite the busy week. When we returned from Orlando, I gave my official notice at work. My last day will be THURSDAY, JULY 23RD!!!!!!! I'm a tad bit excited, can you tell?

Looking forward to sitting down and posting pictures from this past week-end. My mom and stepfather were in town and so were Caleb's parents. We had some friends over on Sunday and really enjoyed the company and conversation.

But, Monday hit....and it was back to work for me! Today, we had Ben's ultrasound. The good news is that the little tube behind his belly button has a little hole, but on the interior end. This means 1) there is not a high risk of an infection entering his body because there would be no way to get in. That end of the tube is closed! and 2) He may or MAY NOT need surgery. We will have to wait until next week to hear what the doctor thinks. He's on vacation. But, praise GOD that this is not an emergency and it can wait!

Ben did have his 18-month check up last week. My little man is now in the 75th percentile for height! He is so stinking tall now. He weighs 25 pounds which puts him in the 50th percentile for weight.

So anything else new? (You might ask)

Well, yes......TEMPER TANTRUMS have invaded our little Ben something fierce. He has a will like nothing we've ever seen before. I have to admit that I have been thoroughly embarrassed on three different occasions. I am hyper-sensitive about "what others are thinking".

So, that's the long and short of it for now. Pictures promised!!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Has it really been that long?

I promise I can explain.

Here's my excuse for why I have not posted since we returned from FL:

Monday- Dinner with the Westfall's
Tuesday- Ben's 18 month check up which literally took 2 hours then Sushi with the Matzer's (first time with a "real" babysitter)
Wednesday- So you think you can dance! =0) It was a 2-hour show!
Thursday- Consultation with UNC Pediatic Surgeons....Ben may need another surgery....this time for his belly button....more on that later
Friday- My parents came into town from Baltimore
Saturday- Caleb's parents came into town from Charlotte
Sunday- I hope to post!!! with pictures and all! It'll be a good one or five. Keep checking back! =0)

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Aquatica and Animal Kingdom Lodge

Last week-end, we spent the day at Aquatica with Dawn and Chris. Honestly, I did not get many pictures because we had SO MUCH FUN! Aquatica is Sea World's version of a water park. It was the perfect setting. Dawn reserved seats under a giant umbrella on the "beach" by the wave pool. We were close to the rapids- where we strapped on life jackets and waded down the "river". There were water slides and tubes that we could ride. The rain held off and the crowd level was LOW. Good times! Thanks, Dawn and Chris, for venturing down our way to spend the day together.
(Our new friends Andy, Melody and their daughter Hannah went, too....I hope that I get some of their pictures to post later!)
After Aquatica, we had a babysitter....so it was off to the Animal Kingdom Lodge for dinner. We had reservations for the restaurant called Boma. It is an African-Inspired buffet. The room is set up with thatch huts/stations where you "graze" the buffet for food. Now, you may be thinking....YUCK! I hate buffets. This is not your typical buffet. Think of it as an adventure with food. Every time you go, there is something different. MARVELOUS!


Not to mention that once you are "in" for the restaurant reservation, you are able to walk the hotel which is practically a zoo!


I love this place!

We celebrated our anniversary one month late with this dinner. I had to get a couple shots for our anniversary scrapbook!






It was a day and evening to remember. I can't believe we will be driving home to Raleigh THIS week-end.