Weekend Wrap Up

It's been a productive, yet very fun, weekend.

Friday night I finished cleaning the house (yes another thing off my to-do list!) while Matt cleaned up the boat. Afterwards, Emily had a friend spend the night and we just hung out around here.I think Matt enjoyed spending some extra time with Emily and her friend.

Yesterday we dropped Emily off at practice and then spent the morning getting some stock up items for Matt's air shipment (they are packing his stuff on Oct. 15), as well as picking out a small TV for our bedroom in Japan. The old tube TV in our bedroom here will become victim of the "digital converter" in February, so it just made better sense to get a new one for Matt to take with him. While a pop up tv would be pretty cool so we won't have to see it all the time, we just settled on one to mount on the bedroom wall.

Last night Matt and I caught up with some of our closest friends, Matt and Kate, as they were in town from Ohio for the night before they headed to the beach for the week. We managed to catch dinner and the big Buckeye game (what a win!). We will be meeting up with them and their kids at the beach next weekend. I am looking forward to spending some time with them. It's hard to believe and Matt and Matt (imagine calling their place during college) have been best friends for over 15 years.

This morning the kids had their second language class (they are loving their teacher) and then we met Val and her family. Yes they are here! We spend the afternoon tubing, skiing, wake boarding and swimming out on the boat and then went to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants for supper. It was funny watching the kids. There was no awkwardness and it was like we have never been apart. Val and the kids are here all week and Neil is here until Tuesday night. I can't wait to show them some of the cool places in the Raleigh area. I am sure I will have lots of pictures from the week to share.

So what did you do this weekend? Leave me a comment and give me a wrap up.

A Friend's A Friend Forever

"There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound." ~Diana Cortes

After 20 hours in the car on Monday, Jamie and the rest of the family finally made it to our house. It should have only taken about 14 hours, but when you blow a tire in Kentucky apparently you need to back track several towns and wait hours for your tire to be fixed.

We had an awesome week. For the first time, Mark came with Jamie and the kids to experience NC living. I think he actually enjoyed himself. Our week was jammed packed full of a trip to the beach, golfing, visiting the Farmers Market, shopping, lunches, working out (yes we even fit exercise into our visit!), a night out on the boat, and even getting Jamie's hair cut.

Sami and Hannah at the beach. I think they are well on their way to being best friends forever, wouldn't you agree?
Jamie and I on the golf course, with our pretty pink golf bags. Mark and Matt of course creamed us on the course, but hey at least we looked good doing it.

Jamie and her new haircut. I LOVE it!
The girls all decided to put on layers and slide down the steps over and over. What goobers.
Mark enjoying the waves.
Emily and Ashley tubing.
Mark tubing with his girls. Make sure you document this photo. It may never happen again.
Aren't they a cute couple? Jamie and I are trying hard to make sure we are related someday.
Jamie and I braved Matt's driving and decided to go for a spin too.
Even Matt joined in the festivities. Apparently I wasn't driving fast enough for Hannah.

It was a wonderful week and a few tears were shed as they pulled away late last night for their long drive home. I have been very blessed to have such a wonderful friend in my life. And I know no matter where we are, or which moving services either of us may be using, every time we get together, it is like we were never apart.

Thanks for an awesome week you guys. We already miss you.

Taking it for a spin

We bought a new boat!! We took it out for a spin last night for about an hour just to get used to it. (driving a jetboat is totally different than a prop boat) I have to admit, I love it. Matt was laughing as I didn't want to take turns letting him drive. Now if I could just figure out how to back the trailer in...

Afternoon on the Water

Today was opening boating day. Well maybe not technically, but it was such an awesome day today (like 85 degrees) that I think every boat owner in the Raleigh area decided to test the waters today.


Two years ago Matt and I decided to bite the bullet and buy a boat. It is a 1986 Celebrity ski boat. It is old, but it was a great deal and perfect for first time owners. We have decided to start looking to upgrade to a different boat. So this week our boat will get a for sale sign on it (sniff sniff) and we have an appointment to see a boat on Tuesday night. We are wanting to downsize a bit (our boat is 22 feet) and hoping to find a good 18 foot boat so we can park it in the garage in the winter. Plus it will be easier for me to maneuver with the trailer. The one we are seeing Tuesday night looks awesome. We are just trying to determine exactly what we are needing to fit our family. I secretly am hoping this one pans out as I hate the idea of boat shopping and I was planning on buying Matt a wake board for his birthday on Friday and can't really do that when you no longer have a boat to use it with.


It was funny taking Sam on the boat today. I don't think she remembers the boat much from last year so it was like taking her to Disney for the first time.

I love having a boat. It is great for the family and something we really enjoy. Hopefully we can have many more boating memories.