Nick Turns 26!

Every time one of our children has a birthday, it makes me a bit nostalgic. Where has all the time gone? It really does seem like yesterday that I was watching our little boy learning to swim, kicking a soccer ball, playing paintball or getting ready for a school dance. How could he be 26, graduated from college and about to start dental school? 

Nick is a joy to be around...smart, witty, laid back, loving, kind and compassionate. And boy, does he love to travel! He won't have much opportunity to explore the world in the next four years, so I thought it would be fun to look back on just a few of the amazing places he has been, with some of the great friends he has traveled with and met along the way. He has done everything from riding elephants in Thailand, to snowboarding in Tahoe, to hiking the Inca Trail, to touring Bulgaria and trying to surf in Costa Rica. His accommodations have ranged from tents, to luxurious villas, to youth hostels, to reserves where monkeys may end up in your bed, to "dog houses". He has witnessed glorious sunsets, climbed to great heights, bathed in rivers, and showered in places I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. What an adventurous life he has led so far. We love you Nick and can't wait to see what the future holds. Happy 26th Birthday!

 

 

 

A Movie, A Park, Dinner and Cuddles!

My birthday was on March 1st and I had so much fun spending much of it with our oldest grandchildren. It isn't often we get to devote all our attention to just them. EZ and I were thrilled to be heading for the movies to see "Puss and Boots", courtesy of  Nathan and Natalie. Very cute movie by the way!

What made this so special was the fact that it would be the first time Ernie and I had been to a movie theater in two years! This used to be one of our favorite "date" activities and we have really missed it. Up until now, we didn't think he could comfortably "sit" long enough to get through a movie, unless we could find one with recliners (anyone know of one like that in the Raleigh area?). However, the Raleighwood Cinema Grill actually has swivel high backed rolling padded chairs which worked for EZ! We had a great time and were even treated to ice cream sundaes, popcorn and a root beer float. (I apologize in advance for the quality of these first pictures...only had my phone and it was pretty dark.)

It was such a beautiful day that we couldn't resist stopping by a favorite park on the way home to let the Nats burn off some energy!

 We arrived back at the Dews just in time to sit down for a delicious birthday dinner prepared by Tara, Jamie and Gigi, that included two of my favorites...flank steak and mashed potatoes. Soon it was time for a cherry turnover with vanilla ice cream. Tara was out of candles so we pretended!

Definitely loved spending the day with my family, though we missed Leah, Kyle and Emery for sure. Thanks everyone for spoiling me!

It was a wonderful birthday filled with fun memories. I am grateful and blessed!

Wordless Wednesday - EZ Gets Back in a Boat on the Water!

Is it Time for Tea?

On Monday, which was Samuel and Samantha's actual birthday, we headed to one of our favorite little spots in Wake Forest, The Olde English Tea Room. (EZ decided to pass on this one.) Natalie and Samantha are becoming such girlie girls, Samuel joins in on most anything, and Nathan is the perfect gentleman to accompany all the ladies, so off we went. Our first stop was a large trunk just inside the front door, where we chose our hat for the day.

 

I got such a kick out of watching Nathan carefully pour his tea (which is iced by the way), and Natalie, Samuel and Samantha diligently stirring and sipping. (They loved the sugar cubes!)

 

We enjoyed our tea, scones, chicken salad croissants, fruit salad and muffins and were so proud of the little ones for being so careful that we escaped without breaking any china! They sure do grow up quickly. Still can't believe the Sams are two...how time flies!

Stop by tomorrow to hear about EZ's first trip to the movies in two years!

Catching Up - The Sams Turn Two!

I can't believe how long it's been since we blogged. Life has suddenly begun to fill up with lots of fun, "normal" things, which means less time in the house and more time out and about enjoying ourselves...which is a REALLY good thing! We've had three birthday celebrations and taken a 9 day trip to the Florida Keys and back (with Big EZ at the wheel), so there is much to share in the coming week.

Samuel and Samantha, also known as "The Littles", "Team Two", and "The Sams", (you can't just say "The Twins" when you have TWO sets of twin grandchildren!) turned two on February 27th. Our daughter, Tara, is a whiz when it comes to planning, decorating, and making food for themed birthday parties. This year it was a Barnyard Bash and the Sams loved every minute of it! (Click here to look back on last year's Sweet Shoppe) It was fun helping Tara with the decorating, pigs in a blanket, rice krispie haystacks, and chocolate animal cupcakes. The farm animals and red tractor pictures hold a special place in our hearts as they were Nick's when we lived in England and he was three!

The games were a big hit and it didn't take long at all for Samuel and Samantha to get the hang of things. First they searched for and gathered all the eggs the chickens had laid the night before, then it was time for horsie races and dropping clothespins in a jar. Sometimes the simplest old-fashioned games can be the most fun!

Of course there's always time for a little birthday snuggle with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Nick!

Next it was time to blow out candles, eat some goodies and open presents. The Sams knew just what to do and really seemed to like wearing the raincoats/windbreakers we got them.

At this point Samantha was beginning to "zone out", but I just loved this picture of Tara and her girls.  She is an amazing Mommy.

This last picture was taken at the end of the party when the Sams were worn out and ready to nap! A fun time was surely had by all. Check in tomorrow for birthday celebration #2.

EZ Loves Projects!

If you know EZ, you know he loves projects! One of his latest was to enclose a smaller area of our yard, and then install a doggie door in our mudroom. When we had indoor cats this wasn't a good idea, but now that we are a dog-only family, with dogs that are 11 1/2, hard of hearing, and now need to go out more often, it was time. He measured our dogs, we headed out to PetsMart and Home Depot, and the rest is history!

The dogs got the hang of it right away and we are all happier for it! Always wonderful to see my man with tools in his hands cuz it means he's feeling good and back in the saddle!