Congrats Dad

I want to give a pat on the back to my Dad who finished in the top 10% of his company and was rewarded by a trip to the Bahamas. Congratulations Dad...I am proud of you.

Summer Update:

With only 6 1/2 weeks left until Summer gets here we are so excited. I went to the doctor today and she is doing great; heartbeat in the 130s and my blood pressure is good. And they are still anticipating her arrival around her due date of June 14th. My feet are swelling nicely by the end of each day. It is crazy to see how big my ankles can get!

Vacation Part 3 - South Carolina

Are you ready for Picture Overload...here goes our Vacation in South Carolina.

As you know we were headed to Charleston, SC to celebrate the wedding of our great friends Leslie and Jeff Coleman!

Thursday:

Chad and I drove from Hayesville, NC to Charleston, SC on Thursday and the drive couldn't have been more beautiful through the North GA mountains. We arrived and I went to get a pedicure with a gift certificate Chad's uncle had so graciously given me for my birthday.

We had a grill out at Leslie's parents beach house on Isle of Palms. The house was amazing and large. Here I am blowing out faux candles on my cake.

I LOVE my girlfriends! (Melissa, Leslie, Nicole)


The couple of the weekend, Leslie and Jeff! I truly can't get over how cute I think Leslie looks these days. She is a spitting image of herself at age 13 (in a good way).

Friday:

We went back to the beach house for the Bridesmaid Munchies, Mimosas and Manicures!

After we ate our delicious chicken salad we laid out by the pool and continued the manicures in the sun. It was a very relaxing day to spend with the bride.

Rehearsal Dinner was lovely and touching as always. The girls of table #7.

Saturday:

Since the wedding was in the evening we had the day to enjoy Charleston. Chad and I walked the bridge (very popular thing) but only made it half way to the first photo opp spot. Even still that was a 2 mile walk and I thought that might be enough.

Kim, Emily and I went to the beach during the day and had a great time but I didn't get any pictures...and I know yall were dying to see this beached whale in a bathing suit!

The Bride and me.

Nicole and I as we got off the trolley (that took us to and from the church) at the reception site.

The "6 Pack" minus our great friend Ashlei who we missed. PS-the bridge behind is the one we walked earlier that day.

Kim, Me, Leslie, Erin, Melissa

But wait, its not over yet. We drove back to Atlanta to meet up with Chad's parents to return the car and fly out the next morning and who was in the hotel room next door...Mom and Larry!

We were totally surprised and enjoyed a great dinner with them before heading back home. The flight was easy and besides some puffy feet and calves we survived.

Vacation Part 2 - North Carolina

Our vacation continues as we explore America's Largest Underground Sea...The Lost Sea.
We stopped along the way at a local rest stop to check out the area maps and take in the beautiful sunshine.


Since the Lost Sea is underground you have to enter and hike down a cave to access it...Chad and I at the cave entrance.

Inside the cave...not much light so you can't see the mineral deposits that have taken 700 years to grow 1 cubic inch.

Chad in the boat at the Lost Sea...once again not much background captured.

It is said to be 1 week of good luck if you touch the bear claw and 1 month if you hug it...so here is Kiersten and I hugging the bear claw!

Susan, Kiersten and I in front of the Sweet Shop in the old timey village.

Other pictures to share...Brooks and the view up river

We have had one of the best trips to NC and hate to leave but tomorrow we are headed to South Carolina for Leslie & Jeff's wedding! More exciting moments to come.

Vacation Part 1 - North Carolina

Our vacation began with a great day of travel with no baby drama. Yeah, no contractions or uncomfortable feelings.
Chad checking his email in between flights.


Once we landed our first stop was to eat at Chick fil A! #1 with diet lemonade...Delicious!
We made our way to the mountains of North Carolina to Chad's parents house. Summer had some presents waiting for her...

Saturday was a beautiful day and we did my favorite activity...relaxing in the sun!


Chad and his dad did some "manly" tasks like removing beehives off the roofline, picking up trash out of the river and dislocating a big log so that it can float down the river.



We made the Martin Meal for dinner and they hosted a surprise birthday dinner for me with a chocolate cake (decorated with the same flowers as Summer's room-how perfect). There was chocolate cake, candles, gifts and GREAT company! Thanks to the Martins for making it a special moment for me!



We drove around and looked at real estate today seeing a gorgeous property with a soothing creek that sounded like a serenity spa. It kinda put Summer's "sleep sheep" to shame.



I am stuffed with BBQ and about to have a piece of leftover birthday cake to completely fall into a coma state. However, I wanted to let those who cared know what we've been up to!
Stay tuned for more of our NC vacation.

THE MARTIN MEAL

It is official...we have found our signature meal.

Simple yet packed with flavor!

Bobby Flay's Tri Tip grilled to perfection, Roasted Potatoes with onion & garlic and roasted asparagus.

I found this marinade off the Food Network. It is a 6 HOUR marinade so plan ahead.

It is for 4lb of tri-tip so adjust if you have less meat. We grilled 2.5 lb and it would serve plenty for 4 people.

1 cup lemon juice

1 cup soybean oil (I substituted veggie oil)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup black pepper*

1/2 cup garlic salt*

1/2 cup chopped garlic*

1/2 cup chopped dried onions*

*these items I used less...just couldn't grind 1/2 cup pepper without carpel tunnel

Mix all ingredients and put in plastic bag with tri-tip and refrigerate for 6 hours.

Heat grill to medium temperature.

Grill about 35+ minutes

Note: You need to be an experienced grill master to pull this off...if you have any questions Chad will be happy to discuss it with you:)

Lisa makes incredible roasted potatoes and as it turns out they are so easy! Potatoes, onion, garlic and butter. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or longer depending on how crispy you like them. Stir them every 15 minutes. Notice there isn't any salt or pepper and yet they turn out so flavorful!

*Beware - if you are cutting the onion and your eyes start to cry, don't shut them and continue cutting...you will eventually slice your index finger open like I did*

Roasted asparagus - olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic topped with parmesan cheese (however I didn't include garlic or parmesan cheese tonight as the other two dishes had garlic).

We LOVED our dinner tonight and decided that this was going to be our signature meal. If you come to our house we will probably cook this for you. The prep time is short but the cooking time is long which allows for some good socializing with your guest...plus the house will smell so good.

Easter Weekend

Chad's 2008/09 snowboarding season has come to an end. This weekend was his last trip to the mountain as we will be traveling for the next few weekends.

Here are some moments to remember...

Early mornings - gathering gear and coffee before heading out.

Alpine Meadows - F-Tree. Chad and Matt hike 15 minutes to hit this secret area.

Pretty magnificent views of Lake Tahoe from the top of the mountain.

Meanwhile, down in the warmer climate I am relaxing in the sun giving myself a pedicure. Up until now I have been chatty about how I haven't experienced any swelling in my feet or hands. Well, I think the feet are starting the thicken up.

To save me the embarassment and you the disgust I did not take any pictures of what I actually looked like catching a suntan in my bathing suit. However, this picture of Maya pretty much sums up how relaxed I was feeling.

And with a beautiful sunny day in Nevada came one little handpainted cloud.

We enjoyed Easter dinner with our friends Lisa & Phillip. Lisa made an amazing dinner of roast turkey, gravy, asparagus, roasted potatoes (so good I am copying the recipe tonight), dressing, rolls, cake, ice cream and strawberries! We talked about how delicious it was the whole drive home!

After dinner we decided to play poker which I had never played before...turns out I am a born WINNER:) Here is a picture of me with tons of money in chips! Maybe this could be my new part time job...me and Summer strolling through the casinos for some extra cash! Just Kidding, no need to comment I will not be doing that.