We Finally Got Snow!

We finally got some good snow.  We have not had much snow this winter.  It was so nice to wake up to many inches of snow.  I got Tyler off to school and then I shoveled the sidewalk.  I then decided to let the three younger kids skip school to play in the snow.  It seems like more often than not when it snows a lot the kids have school.  The kids also had piano lessons after school so I figured they wouldn't get to play after school either.  

The school district said that they would be lenient with attendance so I figured they could have a snow day.  I did feel kind of bad for Tyler because he had already left for school when I decided to let the other kids stay home.  Tyler didn't feel bad when he came home, so that was good.  Tyler said that a lot of kids were not at school that day, so it was a pretty chill day.  It is always fun to do something a little different and exciting.

Happy Valentine's Day

I had a really good birthday and Valentine's Day.  Tony got me a box of chocolates and tickets to go see Les Mis at Hale Center Theater for Valentine's Day and some beautiful diamond earrings for my birthday.  Tony also got the kids each a chocolate covered caramel heart for each of the kids.  They all loved it.  Tony and I also went out to dinner on Friday night.  Suzanne got me a pretty necklace with my birthstone color, that I love.  It was a fun birthday and I got really spoiled.  

Crazy Bruised Hand

I woke up Monday morning with my hand hurting.  I thought it was so weird. It felt as if it was bruised but no discoloring.  Then throughout the day my hand started getting more and more purple.  These pictures show day one and day two.  It is looking a little better now and doesn't hurt as much, but this has been so odd.  I have no idea how I got this bruise.  I don't remember hitting my hand on anything.  I do sleep with my Fitbit on, so I wonder if maybe it got tight and cut off my circulation?  Who knows?  It has been an interesting thing.

Allie's Dentist Appointment

Allie had a bottom tooth that grew in behind her other teeth, so we needed to get it pulled.  She also had a tooth on the top that had been wiggly for a long time but not getting looser, so we had them pull that one too.  She did a good job and had a very numb mouth for a while.  Even with her silly numb mouthed smile she is still the cutest little thing!

North Carolina Trip: Day 5 & 6 - Corolla to Norfolk to Salt Lake

We decided to take the sand cart out for one last spin before we left the house.  It wasn't as windy on Friday, so it felt much better riding the cart.  The sky was so blue and beautiful.  We went back down to the beach and walked on the sand a lot more than we did the day before.  We soaked in the sun and the sounds of the ocean.  Then we drove back to the house to get packed up to go.  It was kind of sad to leave the house after putting so much into it.  Especially not knowing when we'd be back.

We then found a local place to eat lunch on our way out of town called Al's.  They had the pimento cheese dip for an appetizer and then we shared a chicken wrap.  It was all so very yummy.  We both love eating at local restaurants and sharing food so we can try more things.

Then we drove to Norfolk.  We were hoping to stop at this really fun marketplace, but it was closed for the season.  We checked into our fancy hotel in Norfolk that was right on the waterfront.  We got into our room and put our stuff down before going out for a walk along the water.  It was a perfect walk and we got to see many fun things like the huge ships from the Navy.  After we got our 10,000 steps, we went back to the room to get ready for dinner.  

Wendy wanted to go to one of the restaurants in the hotel.  We went down and got our name on a waitlist.  The hostess was kind of rude to Wendy when we got our reservation, so the manager gave us a free appetizer when we sat down to eat.  Wendy chose the charcuterie board.  It was my first time having one from a restaurant.  It was not my favorite, but it was a fun new experience.  The restaurant was super fun with live music.  We took our time eating our appetizer and then order tacos to share.  It was good.  Then we hung out some more chatting and enjoying the music before getting some dessert.  It was a fun evening of live music, good food, and good conversation.

The next morning, we got up and got ready to go.  It was snowing again so we wanted to make sure we had plenty of time to get to the airport.  Wendy wanted to trade out her car for an SUV.  She requested a small SUV from her work, but they got her a small car.  She did not like that car at all so decided to trade it out while at the airport.  So, I went with her to switch cars and then she walked me up to the security check.  We then parted ways.  She is so much fun.  We are so silly together and laugh so hard we have a hard time breathing.  We always end up with lots of fun inside jokes and laugh our heads off when we talk about them.  

I got checked in with no problems.  I had two hours before my flight, so I walked around the airport a lot.  It is a small airport, so it didn't take long to go from one end to the next.  My flight took off without any problems.  By then the snow turned to rain.  

We got to Atlanta, and I was able to make my connecting flight with no problems.  I even had time to walk around that airport before we had to take off.  That flight went smoothly, and we even got into Salt Lake ten minutes early.  Tony was waiting for me at the park and wait.  Once I was off the plane, I texted him and he was out waiting for me.  It was so good to be back home with my family.  I had a great trip.  It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun.  I can't wait to go back and have fun at "our" beach house.

North Carolina Trip: Day 4 - Donuts, Shopping, & Beach Visiting Fun

Wendy told me about a yummy donut store called Duck Donuts.  We planned on getting a donut this morning on our way to the store.  Wendy recommended the maple bacon donut, so that is what we got.  The workers recommended the cinnamon sugar donut, so I got one of those too.  I had that one first and it was really good.  I saved the maple bacon one for the next day.

We needed to get a few more things at Home Goods and Walmart to finish getting the house ready.  After the stores we went through the Brew Thru and got us some drinks and t-shirts.  I'm sure most people get more then water and vitamin water, but it was a fun experience.  You drive through a little store and tell them what you want.  It was a hoot.

We then went back to the house to eat our leftovers and finish getting things done.  The table was delivered that morning and I was able to open the boxes and get it ready for the maintenance guy to put it together.  Wendy got some more work done while I cut up the boxes and got this put away.  

After the table was done, we took the sand cart out for a spin.  It was still super cold, so we wrapped blankets around us and checked out the neighborhood.  It was so cold, but it was so much fun.  The neighborhood is beautiful.  The houses are amazing and the gated community that the house is in is just perfect.  We have our own access to the beach and a private restroom area and a place to park cars and sand carts.  

The beach is beautiful.  It was cold so not many people at the beach with us, but we enjoyed our small walk on the beach.  The skies were clear, and the beaches were beautiful.  There were lots of seashells all over, the kids would have loved it.

After our cold adventure we went back to the house so Wendy could get ready for her friend to come.  Tina came and is a super sweet lady.  We instantly became good friends.  We went out to dinner at a fancy place with fancy food.  We tried different appetizers (that were interesting) and then Wendy and I shared the main dish (I didn't get a picture of that).  It was a fun experience, but not my favorite type of food.  It was the atmosphere and the company that was the best.  After dinner we went back and chatted at the house before going to bed.  What a great day! 

North Carolina Trip: Day 3 - Food, Shopping, & Lots of Work Again

Another early morning of shopping.  We went to Home Goods and got two more shopping carts full of things to decorate the house.  They had some fun things that were just perfect for our house.  The wind was crazy that day and it was super cold outside.  That wind went right threw me, so cold.  After loading up the car we drove by these crazy big beach chairs.  I just had to get a picture in the chair, even though it was freezing.  

After that excitement we went to lunch back at Hurricane Mo's.  The food was just as good the next day.  

After getting our fill of yumminess Wendy took me to the First Flight where the Wright Brother's flew the first plane.  We didn't have time to go to the museum, so we just drove by and got a picture.  Wendy was a trooper to get out in the freezing cold and take my pictures.

After that we went back to the house for more working.  The decorations looked so good in the house.  Wendy had to get some work done so I focused on getting things done around the house.  We had most things ready to go but we were still waiting on the table to come.  It was scheduled to come the next day.

For dinner that night we went more into Corolla.  The place we wanted to go was closed so we found a place that was open.  A lot of places close off season, so it was a little hard to find open places to eat.  The food was decent, and we had a good time.  It wasn't our favorite place that we had tried, but we enjoyed our self.

After dinner we went back to the house and got somethings done before getting ready for bed.  It was a long, fun day that was very productive.  Wendy and I have too much fun together.

North Carolina Trip: Day 2 - Shopping, Eating, & Working Hard

Wendy and I woke up to snow.  It only snows in the OBX (Outer banks) once every 3-4 years.  So, we felt so special that we got to experience it.  We then went around the house and made note of everything we needed to get for the house at the store.  

We started at the furniture store where we bought our bedroom sets.  We found a beautiful couch that we loved and some other pieces that we needed for the house.  They told us that they would be able to deliver the furniture Thursday or Friday.  So, we were happy about that.  We then went to Walmart and filled up two carts full of stuff and still needed more.

After the store Wendy and I met her relator friend, Greg (who sold her the house) and his family and Hurricane Mo's for lunch.  They were such a cute family, and the food was really good.  While we were at lunch the furniture store called saying they had some time so they could deliver our stuff that day.  We were super happy about that.  So, I went back to the house to let in the furniture people while Wendy went with Greg back to Walmart to pick up the TVs for the house.  Greg has a truck and offered to help set up the TV's.  

The furniture all got delivered and it was prefect.  The guys who brought it were both very nice.  Wendy gave them each $20 to help bring up furniture from the basement.  They were so nice.  They called us ma'am a lot.  So polite.  

Greg and his son, Ford, came over with Wendy and set up the TV's.  I worked on getting the cable and Wi-Fi working.  It did not work though, so I had to call the company.  They set up to come the next day and look at it.

After Greg and Ford left, Wendy and I went and got some dinner at a place called NC Café (or something).  The food was really good.  I didn't take a picture of the appetizer, but I did get a picture of the main dish that we split and then our way yummy blintzes for dessert.  It was a good time for sure.  We have so much fun together.

North Carolina Trip: Day 1 - Lots of Flying

My adventure started bright and early on Tuesday morning.  Tony took me to the airport and dropped me off.  I checked in and then found my gate.  I wasn't sure how long it would take me to get through security, but it was fast.  Then I got to see the new airport.  It is pretty nice and really long.  I had lots of extra time, so I walked around the new airport before getting a breakfast sandwich to take with me.  

I loaded my plane and found my seat.  I had the whole row to myself.  We then had to get our plane deiced before we could leave.  We had to wait a long time before we could take off.  But we did finally take off and the flight went very well.  I watched some movies and had some snacks, good times.

Wendy's flight left Sacramento late so she knew she wouldn't make her connecting flight in Atlanta.  So, I rushed to my connecting gate in Atlanta to see if they could also put me on the next flight so that Wendy and I could layover together.  He was able to put me on the next flight, so I just had to wait a little while for Wendy to come in.  

Wendy's flight came in and we went and got some dinner.  It was decent food, but the company was even better.  After we ate, we went to our gate and got on our next flight to Norfolk.  Wendy was in business class, but I was in economy.  I did get a seat by the emergency exit, so I had lots of extra leg room.  Wendy ended up coming back with me after takeoff because she was seated next to a stranger.  I had the row to myself again, so I had plenty of room.

After a quick flight we got into Norfolk, Virginia.  We got our bags and our rental car and then got us some dinner at a Mexican restaurant by Wendy's old house in Chesapeake. 

Then we headed to the house in the Outer banks, North Carolina.  It was about an hour and a half from Chesapeake.  We got to the house in Corolla, and it was beautiful.  We got our stuff in our rooms and went to bed for the night.  It was a long day.