Hatteras Island-2012

We traveled to the Outer Banks at the end of July with Andrew's mom, Diann. The kids had a wonderful time at the beach. Liam learned to jump waves, Colin and Eva body surfed, Andrew swam in the ocean, and Adria and I worked on our tans. We stayed in Salvo, south of Nags Head. The area isn't as built up and touristy. Not a chain restaurant in site! I would love to live closer to the beach and would love to go back with the kids. Now with friends in North Carolina that might be possible.

Sand dune before the beach

Liam on one of his many treks between the surf and the umbrella

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Apple Ugly from the Orange Blossom Bakery

Eva wasn't so sure about the crab legs!

We were lucky it only stormed one full day. Adria and Colin still enjoyed the beach.

My handsome boys.

Beautiful Coquina clam shells that look like butterfly wings. Some of the many we brought back.

One day a convention of ghost crabs visited us on the beach. They would pop up out of the sand, head to the surf for a bit, and then scurry back to their homes. I enjoyed following them to capture pictures.

One of my favorite pictures of Andrew. He enjoyed swimming to the sandbar and jumping waves.

Eva, the beach bum

Summer 2012- Oklahoma

Chokma! We just returned from ten days in Oklahoma visiting with family and friends. This was one of the more dramatic trips we have taken. My mom broke her arm at work the week before we came. Having the epicenter of our familial craziness out of commission was an unexpected and unwelcome event. Added to that, my allergies played tricks on me and I came home with an earache. Eva was semi-electrocuted(the driver of the four-wheeler she was on backed into an electric fence!) and hit in the eye with a sparkler. Thankfully, no lasting injuries there, just awesome stories to tell. Colin hurt his wrist playing basketball and burned a couple of fingers. Adria, Liam and Andrew were injury free, but surely tired of the grumpy wounded.

We did have some great times. We were able to visit with Grandpa Wayne, Grandma Clarice and Aunt LeeAnn. Liam caught a couple of fish with Grandpa Keel. Aunt April supplied us with amazing cupcakes. We visited the Chickasaw Cultural Center and would highly encourage anyone and everyone visiting this amazing place. Came away proud of my heritage and grateful my kids were able to see it. At the same time I visited with a cousin I haven't seen in a long time and share memories of a departed cousin.

And then there are all of the kid's cousins on my side of the family. It was great to have them all together. My sisters and brother sure have good looking kids!

Long and Winding Year

The past school year has been an exercise in change. Having one of your children leave the home, creates an empty space. Adria has had a great year at Dartmouth, but we have missed her. The dynamics of the house, patterns of conversations, the flow of events have been altered. Eva and I are the only girls. Colin is the oldest. One of my best friends has moved. We text or phone Adria daily and Skype once a week, but it doesn't make up for having her here. We love that she is at Dartmouth and having amazing experience. It has just taken us a while to find our rhythm without her.

Can a Tardis Get Me to the Dominican Republic?

Last week Adria was accepted into an alternative Spring Break program. She will be learning about the Dominicans(history, culture) and participating in service projects. She believes this year they will focus on clean water initiatives. I've sent my darling girl across the country to college, and now she will be traveling to another country. When did this happen? It feels like she was just dressed up as a bunny for her first Halloween.
Last week was also momentous for us. After almost twenty years of marriage we have a second car. In our driveway is a beautiful, Tardis blue Honda Fit. We needed a second car and one that is easier to drive with better gas mileage. I am still getting used to not driving in the van. I love that I can turn corners better and tighter. Parking is a breeze, but I miss the V6 engine of the van. If it really were a Tardis, I would be tempted to travel to the Dominican Republic with Adria ; )

"A Camp Chair in New Hamp-chair, That's for me!"

The Green at Dartmouth

Adria has officially started school. I flew up to help her move into the dorm and spend some time before classes started. New Hampshire is beautiful.

Andres part of the East Wheelock dorm cluster

In the dorm, looking over the many activities on campus.

She had a wonderful time during her DOC trip. DOC is the Dartmouth Off Campus group. They sponsor activities like hiking, canoeing, etc. They also host preterm trips for the incoming freshman. Adria stayed on an organic farm and according to her besides the dancing she "ate and ate and ate!"

Farmer's Market on the Green with Reed Hall in the background

 We all miss her, but are happy that she is happy. And thank goodness for Skype!!

Last Days of Summer...and childhood

While the East coast prepares for Hurricane Irene, we are preparing for our own climate change. Adria leaves for college in a little over a week. She has been packing up her clothes, her room. Andrew and I wonder what will life be like without her. There won't be a plethora of shoes, mainly flip flops, near the front door. The kitchen counters will be dirtier since she obsessively cleans one whenever she passes. We won't find her awake at 1 am studying or have to help her after she has hairsprayed her eyeball.

Adria will fly up early for a Freshman off-campus trip. I will come up a few days later and help move her into the dorm. Andrew has already finagled a conference at Dartmouth in October. We will get to see her again in December, but I'm not sure how we will cope with the Winter and Spring terms. She will be gone from January until June. Wish us all luck!

One Crazy Summer

Once again, I am under the wire as I complete my goal of blogging at least once a month. That's once a calendar month, not once every 30 days!

The last two months have been busy. Colin went to guitar camp, and Eva went to art camp. Adria has been working two jobs. In the mornings she is a counselor for 3 yr olds at a local day camp, and in the afternoon, she works at the local Great Harvest Bread Co. Liam has been busy "helping" me throughout the day. We are all preparing for our last month with Adria at home. She leaves for New Hampshire on September 5th.

The quality is a little poor, but here is a video of Colin's ensemble at camp. They performed at the Robller Winery in New Haven.

Eva's puppet from art camp. A Jamaican witch!

Typical Liam taking pictures of himself in church. At least he wasn't causing a ruckus.