Myrtle Beach Spring 2011

Hi there! It has obviously been a few weeks, but if you could see how fast life is going for us right now you would understand. Just when I feel relief that a weekend is arriving it is immediately followed by my brain reminding me just how much I have to get done while I'm "relaxing". I can honestly say that the last time I was truly able to relax was at the end of April when we went down to see Troy and Nikki and their kids (Kael and Kennedy) in Myrtle Beach, SC. We stopped to see Megs and Trip (Kearney side) on our way down, so you'll see some pictures of them sprinkled in as well. Our view and room that T&N were nice enough to open up to us was incredible! We were on the 17th floor of this tower and the amenities could not have been more nice...Thank you so much for letting us stay with you guys!

Bubble time is always one of Grayson's favorites. It seems to be that way with Kennedy as well ;)

Love getting to spend time with the nieces and nephews...

Didn't take long for Kael to get hooked on the iPAD!

Some tired kids during the course of these days as the sun really takes it out of them after awhile.

Yep, Kael sounds asleep sitting up.

The beach was nice (water was actually warm enough to swim in), but the kids preferred the pool. The one at our hotel wasn't heated, so we had to walk over to the Embassy Suites pool instead. Once Grayson saw the other kids walking the whole way there he stopped wanting to be carried, so it took us some time to get over there each day.

Nothing better than waking up and eating a relaxing breakfast with the sound of the ocean waves hitting the beach. Very comfortable...Every time there is loud thunder at home now Grayson will look at us and say "Ocean!".

Grayson is becoming so independent. He doesn't want us to hold onto him in the pool, but he obviously can't swim either. He doesn't know what he wants, but he loves being in the water.

Hard at work in the sand.

Here are a few pics of our time at Meg and Trip's house in Raleigh on our way down.

Big News!!!

Hey All! Ally and I have been keeping quiet about some big news...well, Ally has been keeping quiet ;)...

The picture above is from our appointment this morning with the high risk Dr. that we saw for Grayson's pregnancy...which means Allyson is just about 12 weeks along and due in November! The official date is November 9, 2011 actually. The picture above is a 3D image on the left, and a side view on the right. We had to see a genetic counselor before going in for the ultrasound which was kind of nervewracking, because she had to explain all the things that could be wrong with our baby since Allyson is at a certain age. However, once we got into the ultrasound everything came out looking glorious, so the Doc is very pleased, which makes us very happy! No issues or complications to speak of at this point so everything is good.

Below is the picture at 8 weeks when Allyson went in for her first visit.

Below is another angle from today. You can see his/her hand waving to you on the right!

Visiting the Yadrick Family

After a long couple days of driving we finally got to the Yadrick's house in Concord, CA. For those that don't know, Dave is one of my best buds and we've actually done a great job of keeping in touch since we left the Academy. Lord knows guys are terrible at keeping in touch with one another, but for a host of good reasons, Dave and I continue to be fast friends. Ally and I can't wait for Dave and Elishia to move to DC (he's being transferrred to a liaison position here) and we had so much fun hanging out with them at their house in Cali.

The Yadrick family: Dave, Elishia, Hannah, Allysa, and Charlotte...

We got there on Wednesday night in time for dinner and cocktails, so we took it easy that night (yea right). Grayson didn't let Allyson sleep well, so naps were in order on Thursday. Dave and I went over to his base so he could play in a basketball game and I was actually able to get a solid workout in while I was on vacation (first time that week if you can believe that)! Once we got home we chased the kids into the car and drove up to Mount Diablo that overlooks the whole bay area. There were some awesome rock formations that the kids (and we) had fun climbing over, and the views were incredible on a beautiful warm day.

Hannah, with the most gi-normous acorn we had ever seen...

Alyssa on the left, Hannah on the right...it is hard to keep track at first...but not after a little while with them...personality coming out their ears...Dave is in some serious trouble.

He really wanted to "be a big kid" and walk around for awhile on the rocks. First time he had ever wanted to do that, but since that occasion he wants to talk everywhere. Mr. Independent.

Then after awhile...:)

It was on Thursday that we headed into San Francisco to see the sights. First at Fisherman's Wharf, Grayson got to stare at the sea lions sun bathing in the harbor...then we went through the little mall area attached to Pier 39 and got on the Merry-Go-Round (Carousel)...then onto the Palace of Fine Arts (Presidio).

Watching the sea lions...

Alyssa making faces...

That is alcatraz behind us...

Taking a break, eating some fresh caught seafood...Grayson always wants to push his own stroller...even into traffic...

At first he was fascinated by the street performers...but then back to pushing his own stroller (into traffic)...

He always had his eye on Charlotte ;) I think he makes the biggest learning curves after hanging out with kids just older than him...

Get after that Chirro boy...

Of course you need a trolley picture if you're in SF...although not the old school trolley...

The view coming into San Francisco...

The presidio

Grayson got to experience playing in a true neighborhood for the first time, and he immediately took a liking to any toy that he could ride on. He freaked out whenever it was time to head in for a break or for the night. He definitely got his exercies on this portion of the vacation.

Charlotte...such a ham...

I think he has "the stare" patented like Zoolander's magnum...

This is me, shoulders relaxed and content after a great break from real life.... Our flights got screwed coming home, but Grayson did awesome and life was good as a result ;). He was such a trooper on the planes throughout.