Labor Day

This Labor Day weekend we found ourselves on the beautiful beaches of North Carolina. Warm ocean water, good friends, hours of card games, chasing crabs during dark, boarding, Mike's Farm all you can eat home cooking, a beautiful house right on the beach...

ok, not really.

That was our Labor Day tradition during dental school (3 yrs. in a row), and one of the many things I miss about living in the East.

Back to the present. This Labor Day guess where we went...any guesses?? The mountains (surprise!). Sarcasm aside. We went camping and took a guest. Grandma came to town which made Ry love camping even more.

It was chilly at night but we all managed to stay bundled and warm. We also went on an unplanned 3.5 hr. hike basically sans water, food, and Ry's carrier. The little water we had lasted the first hour, which is about how long we expected to go. By the end I felt a bit delirious, and Ry cried that night because her "legs really hurt".

It was fun, and of course the food was delicious as always. The next time we vacate the city though please let there be an ocean (and all you can eat home made macaroni..eh Pittsburghers?).

Look at this mug. I tried to keep her clean for about a min. and then let nature take its course.

mmmm.good.

Hi, my name is Stefanie and I am an ice cream addict.

It is a serious weakness which I battle with every day. Sometimes I make it to the evening without giving in (when we are out of the stuff), but most the time I cave in and indulge in a few spoon fulls during the girls' nap time (and then a full bowl after their bedtime).

This summer I took my addiction to the next level...home made ice cream.

Here are a few of the flavors we tried.

First up...chocolate almond ice cream (delicious)

paired with apple crisp (I am actually a sweets addict)

next up...strawberry cheesecake ice cream (delightful)

and last my all time favorite...drum roll please.
candied pecans +home made ice cream=heaven (in the form of buttered pecan ice cream)

The only thing that would make this addiction sweeter is if I could share it with this cutie, but sorbet will have to do for this girl.

Notice the rosie glow? Ry decided to get into grandma's make up...looks like she learned her make up applying skills from her mama.

Vacationing in Poky

We took our traditional trip to Poky during Kev's school break (our very last school break...woot woot). The girls LOVED seeing Grandma, and we crammed in some fun.

Grandma Lou did her thing and made the girls adorable matching dresses. I wish I could have inherited the sewing gene.

Celebrated Sophie's birthday. I had dreams of a beautiful party spread, but I lacked the motivation and energy to tackle it. Instead my mom made the cake and birthday dinner...yeah for moms.

Hiking with cousins

...and boating

Happened to be in town while Extreme Home Makeover was doing an episode. I ran into/stalked my favorite bachelorette (and new best friend) of all time...Jillian! She'll remember me as the one with the kid who was picking her nose...nice.

Fit in a round of golf (also a tradition...cramming in a years worth of dates since Grandma offers to babysit).

golfing partners

Good times.

McMinn Reunion 2010

-August 2010-

Our trip to Idaho just happened to coincide with a reunion with all of Kev's siblings. We're so thankful we got to spend time with the McMinns (and Campbells) on this trip, and thanks to Janelle and Rob for planning!

McMinn Reunion Day 1

Pizza at the park and an extra large slip and slide was the highlight of the day for the kids (and also Rob and Kevin...who I think enjoyed it more). Ry was not a big fan, one time down was good for her. After that she stayed at the top to cheer for the other kids willing to brave the extreme slide.

In the evening we roasted marshmallows, ate smores (mmm...smores), and enjoyed a couple games of Mafia.

Seriously, Kev was on the verge of shoving the little ones out of the way so he could have his turn.

We are missing a few but to date there are 20 McMinn grand kids (soon to be 21 this month).

Gorgeous nieces

McMinn Reunion Day 2

The day began with a tasty waffle breakfast for the moms and kiddos, while the dads enjoyed 18 holes of golf. After the 5 hr. golf game we all met up for a delicious BBQ (once again I'm finding food to be the highlight of my post).

Next it was off to Uncle Jeff's office for some orthodontic work for two of the nephews (Ry has sworn off braces after seeing the pain it caused), an unconventional activity for a reunion.

We finished the reunion with some mini golf, which I am apparently as awful at as I am at regular golf.

Good looking group of kids

We missed you Grandpa and Grandma Mc! But I'm so thankful you are setting an example of service as missionaries to my kids.

Happy Birthday Sophie!

My baby is 1!

And I know it sounds cliche but I can't imagine our family without her.

Still convinced her favorite person is Ry, although the teasing is becoming more frequent.

Ry can get those good belly laughs out of her.

She can also get her to scream whenever she takes her toys, shuts her in a room, or cuddles with mom.

I really hope you two will be best friends (any suggestions?).

She struggles at nap time, climbs on everything, is SO loud...which is very different from Ry.

I am EXHAUSTED after 3 hrs. of church with her, where I am her jungle gym.

When I shush her in church she looks me square in the eyes and lets out a deliberate scream.

She is so close to walking everywhere.

Says the cutest high pitched "hi".

She pants like a dog, smacks her lips when she wants a kiss, and loves to dance by swinging her right arm back and forth.

Happy birthday Sopha!

Splash

Love the splash parks here.

And the blue skies.

oh...and these cute faces.

Sophie's many modes of transportation.


This is later in the day when I was getting pelted by the hail while moving our tomato plants. The weather was torrential enough to warrant us picking Kev up from school, which is saying something, I think that's happened maybe 5 times while we've been here (die hard b iker).

another hike. another mtn.

This past Saturday I had nothing planned so Kev's default weekend activity is the family driving to the mountains and doing a 4 hr. hike. I was not feeling it at first...but it turned out quite pleasant.

This was our destination which was pretty gruelling to get to. I felt like I was climbing stairs for an hour straight.

Kev's ulterior motive for our family hike.

Kev doubles as a pack mule. He has to be packing an extra 50 lbs.

One little mishap. Ry took an accidental dive into the lake. No extra clothes, but she wore my jacket on top and kev's jacket for pants, and we were then left to walk down the mountain in the rain.

One of these days I hope to have pictures of us frolicking on the beach. I love the mountains but I would not be opposed to a nice beach get away.