Welcome Home Paul & Jodi

After spending a week at the beach, we decided to drive to D.C. to meet up with Ben & Toni to surprise Paul & Jodi at the airport, as they are moving back to the states from Germany. The only information we were armed with, was knowing that their flight arrived 5/23 around 3pm. We didn't know the airline or flight number, but we did some research & narrowed it down to 2 or 3 flights & it all worked out. They were very surprised to see us there! We all had dinner together before Ben & Toni drove on to meet friends at a cabin in Virginia. John, Elise & I hung out with Paul & Jodi through the weekend & drove back to Charlotte on Monday. It was an impromtu visit, and we ended up staying at their empty house in Belle Haven, because of some mixup with their government temp housing. It was almost like camping - we got air mattresses & a little food and had fun. Elise met her uncle Paul for the first time, and squeeled with glee over their dog, Bailey.
Paul & Jodi - we're so glad to have you back on this side of the ocean! We look forward to many more fun times. p.s. Jodi: I know you won't like me putting pics on the blog with you in your glasses, but as an explanation to all the readers - she's having lasik done shortly and has to be out of her contacts for weeks before the procedure.

Outer Banks

We spent last week at the Outer Banks of North Carolina and had a great trip! We met my friend, Jessica & her little girl, Hadley, as well as some of their friends from NY. It was breezy & beautiful. We took a tour of the Wright Brother's Kitty Hawk museum & climbed the hill where they took their first flight. We also visited the sand dunes & climbed over them - what fun! We had a good vacation, but it certainly is a different "kind" of vacation with a baby - we felt like we packed nearly every square inch of our Jeep. The water was cool, and so Elise and I only dipped our toes in the water, but John took out the boogie board & did a little swimming too. I'm sorry to do such a small post, but today I've got nearly 8 piles of laundry that bids for my attention - and we have John's parents arriving tomorrow night. Lots going on here in Charlotte!

Boating Fun!

Hope you all enjoyed the weekend. We certainly had a fun few days! On Saturday we were invited to join the Walker's on their new boat. It was a picture perfect evening to go out on the water & Elise really loved her first boat ride. She even got to dip her toes in the water & seemed to think she could walk out onto it. The last picture in this boating series shows Kaylie & Elise both getting tired & resorting to their "comforts." Thanks Walkers for a fun time! I also enjoyed a lovely Mother's Day - however we didn't get out the camera and snap even one picture...I was too busy relaxing. After church John made me his wonderful French Toast for brunch & after a nap, we took Elise for a walk & then out for a Mexican dinner at Zapata's. The day still wasn't over, because after Elise went to bed, John obliged to watch a chick flick with me, August Rush. I felt very loved and it was one of those times when I laid my head on my pillow to fall asleep & felt all God's blessings in my life. I have so much to be thankful for.

Outdoor Living

Elise has a newfound love of the outdoors - a baby swing! Thanks to our friends, the Uecker's, for letting us borrow it. She can see it hanging from the patio door & we've been enjoying the beautiful spring days by being outdoors every day.
We've even taken a couple meals out on the patio, too. It makes clean up below Elise's chair much easier...but I did see a few more ants, so we'll have to be careful how much food falls to the ground out there so they don't decide to try to get inside for more.


We are excited to get away to the Outer Banks for the first time since moving to North Carolina. We'll head to the coast in the middle of May & stay for a week. It will be fun to explore that area. We've heard so much about it. After we return home we've got a list of visitors coming and going for the next several weeks, so we'll be busy, but that's what the summer is about!
Other than getting shocked each time we fill our gas tanks at the pump, life here is pretty normal and not much new to report. Hope all you readers are well & ready for warm weather, suntans & a little relaxing in the next several months!