It helps me to say these things aloud, I think.
When people visit us
We’ve had a pretty busy summer of visitors, so I haven’t been able to keep up blogging with all the visits. Here are photos from Leslie and Vince’s trip in July. We were pretty lazy about taking pictures. Most of these photos are from a trip to Duke Chapel, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, and the Durham Life Science Museum.
Duke Gardens
Duke Chapel
Life Science Museum
Fishmongers
We were so lucky to have my grandmother (Henry’s great-grandmother) in town for her 84th birthday!! She got to spend lots of quality time with Henry. We even went to the pool one afternoon, it was so relaxing.
Friday was my work-at-home day, so Granma went with Uncle Denny (her brother-in-law) and Aunt Betty out to lunch at her favorite Raleigh restaurant, Kanki. Saturday we got up early and hit the North Raleigh Farmer’s Market with the neighbors. It was pretty hot out so we didn’t stay long.
Then we headed to The Roast Grill, which we had seen featured on a recent episode of Man vs. Food. I knew that Granma loves hot dogs, so I thought we’d check it out. I was in for a surprise when I discovered how incredibly small a place it is. We got our order to go and had yummy hot dogs at home.
Granma spent time with Henry, helping feed him and playing with him in his playroom. She did a real good job of keeping him entertained!
For her birthday on Sunday, my mom joined us for a big dinner in Granma’s honor. My mom brought over balloons, which were a great hit with Henry. She wore herself out playing with Henry and the balloons.
Dinner was sweet potatoes, grilled T-bones and wilted lettuce salad – YUM!
After dinner, Granma got to blow out the candles and enjoy the fabulous cake Dave made, an angel food cake spiked with pineapple and coconut-rum frosting.
Then she opened presents, including the candy she got from Jonathan and Dawn (which was also yummy!).
Here’s Granma saying good-bye to Henry on his way to school on Monday.
It was a great trip and it was so nice to have her here. I love her so much and I’m so happy to be able to spend time with her.
Amy spent the weekend with us. We had a great time! Not many photos, though. Highlights include watching Fay Grim, eating chocolate chip pancakes, visiting the North Hills Farmer’s Market, cooking a terrific Pork Wellington, and seeing Kerri and Adam.
Plus, we did Duct Tape Crafts!!
Some photos of the kids hanging around the house.
Saturday afternoon, Dave’s brother Kevin, his wife Mary, and their three kids all arrived from Cleveland. We are so excited to have them here as most of them have never been here before.
We had a nice chicken dinner last night and waffles for breakfast this morning. The waffles went over better with the kids. 🙂
Today we went to a local park to let the kids run out some energy. They had a great time at the playground.
Tonight Mom and Gene come over for a big family dinner. It’s sure to be a chaotic, fun time!
Our trip to Fishmonger’s last weekend.
Hiroe and Jeni
Dave and Larry
Henry with his new toy
Henry loves this hard plastic pacifier that Hiroe brought him.
Dave and Hiroe carved their pumpkins last Saturday. It was really gorgeous out, nice and sunny.
Larry and I supervised, beer in hand.
Finished!
Hiroe’s windowpane pumpkin
Dave’s happy pumpkin
Jeni’s creepy pumpkin
Granma’s coming to visit for a few short hours this Saturday, courtesy of her next-door neighbors. They’re driving down for the day to attend a wedding, and they’ll drive home afterwards. They’re carting her down here so she can play with Henry for a few hours. 🙂
Yay!! William and Joyce finally got to meet Henry. 🙂 They’re like another set of grandparents. Ele’s post is here, more pictures here and a video here.
Henry and Finn are becoming fast friends
William and Joyce with Henry, Ele and Will with Finn
The doting granparents
Oh, and the screech owl that William and Joyce were nursing back to health. So cute!
