A Nice Getaway...

This summer Tony and I were able to get away for a weekend without the kids. We have some dear friends, the Carlson's, that we trade off babysitting with. We usually do overnight date nights each month but this summer we decided to try something different. We each picked a month and went on a three day getaway. Tony found a wonderful bed and breakfast in New Bern, NC which was about 2 hours away. It is a small town but reminded us of Charleston. The town sits on two rivers with a riverwalk, has great restaurants and shops, a lot of historical homes, and you can walk to everything. Our bed and breakfast was in a perfect location and we literally walked everywhere. Thursday we at lunch at a great little place called, Pollock Street Deli, met the B&B hosts and got unpacked, took a trolley tour of the town, toured the Tryon Palace, enjoyed a social hour at the inn and met many guests, and then had a wonderful dinner at a nice restaurant called, Chelsea Restaurant. On Friday, we enjoyed a 6 mile run throughout New Bern, had a fabulous breakfast at our B&B, toured the rest of Tryon Palace and the gardens there, toured the historic John Wright Stanly house, had lunch at a quaint little place, toured some antique shops and then came back to the B&B for a nap before the social hour. We had a great dinner friday night at a place called, Morgan's Tavern and Grill. Saturday, we had another amazing breakfast and had to say goodbye to the wonderful innkeepers, Mike and Marty. They were so hospitable, friendly and so fun to talk with. We spent our last day down at Atlantic Beach. We toured Ft. Macon and got to see a civil war re-enactment that was taking place. Then, we went down to the beach and relaxed and read a lot. We had a late lunch/dinner and then headed home Saturday night to pick up our kids. It was such a wonderful getaway. The kids were great while we were gone and are still talking about their fun time at "Camp Carlson." The kids all chose camp names for themselves and named their rooms (cabins) where they stayed, made all kinds of signs for the camp and did all kinds of fun science experiments and craft activities. Mary Carlson was quite the "Camp Counselor." :) Thank you Carlson's for taking such good care of our kiddos and for giving Tony and I the opportunity to getaway. We cherish your friendship! The Aerie Bed and Breakfast where we stayed.

Our room at Aerie Bed and Breakfast.

A view of the bathroom

The birthplace of Pepsi Cola.

New Bern Academy. We got to go into this schoolhouse while on our trolley tour.

First Episcopal Church in New Bern. We toured this church while on our trolley tour.

The entrance of Tryon Palace. Tryon Palace was the first Govenor's Mansion in NC. We took this photo to show the girls how tall sunflowers can get.

A neat walkway through the gardens at Tryon Palace.

Gardens at Tryon PalaceMore gardens at Tryon Palace

We toured this house which is the John Wright Stanly House.

New Bern has bear statues all through their town. Each bear has a name and theme. I had to have my photo taken with the "tooth beary" bear that was outside a dental office.

We got a kick out of this little boat causing the drawbridge to go up. We could not believe they did not make this drawbridge higher so that they did not have to open for boats this size.

The riverwalk at Union Park in New Bern. We enjoyed strolling, running and sitting along this river relaxing. It reminded us of a smaller version of Charleston.

The entrance to Ft. Macon.

The flag at Ft. Macon. Tony was trying to get artistic with his photography.

Ft. Macon was having a re-enactment the day we were there. It was really neat.

These kids were so cute. The little boy was so adorable with his toy gun. At one point he went behind a wall and then jumped out and yelled, "bang, bang, bang" as he pointed his gun at all the soldiers. Everyone in the audience started laughing and the man that was talking to the audience looked over and said, "someone needs to get control of that boy" in a joking way. I think the soldiers were doing there best not to laugh as well.

The canons with the ocean in the background.

A view from the fort looking out at the ocean. The soldiers were explaining to the audience about their uniforms and guns.

Getting ready to shoot...

Tony loved this!

Here the soldiers are pretending to charge at the audience with their bayonets.

Josh Turns One!

Our precious nephew turned One on July 5th. It is hard to believe he is not a baby anymore. He is such a fun, happy, laidback boy and we are all enjoying him very much. What a blessing to have a boy in the Fernandez cousin mix. Uncle Tony is enjoying having a boy around to spoil and play with. It won't be long before Tony and Joe are leaving Abby and I with all the girls while they take Josh to ballgames and races. Abby and I won't be having any of that!!! Our tomboys will be wanting to go too. :) Josh opening his present from us. Lizzie is not happy that the gift is not for her. :(

Josh did great tearing the paper off the gift.

Josh checking out his new fire truck.

Josh playing with his new truck...

Look who is playing with the truck now that brother's attention is directed elsewhere. :)

Abby loving on her birthday boy.

Reece playing hairdresser with Aunt Abby. Good thing these are not real scissors.

Reece cutting daddy's hair - what hair?!

Don't let these sweet faces fool you. These girls can definitely get in some mischief together.

All the cousins enjoying Josh's birthday party.

Regan loves her cousin, Josh. She is a good helper with her cousins.

Precious Lizzie.

Look at our adorable nephew - growing up quick! Happy Birthday sweet boy!

The girls enjoying the cake and icing.

Josh enjoying his birthday carrot cake. YUM!!!

4th of July 2010

We were in Georgia for 4th of July this year. Tony, Kim (my sister) and I all started our 4th of July celebration running the biggest 10K in the world, the Peachtree Road Race in downtown Atlanta. I used to run this every year during high school and college. I miss running this race and the last time I ran it was with Tony 13 years ago. So, it was so awesome to run in this race again and it brought back so many memories. This photo is in the second mile. My dad and Regan came to watch us run.Saying "hi" to Dad and Regan

Tony giving Regan a high five.

Mommy, Daddy and Regan after the race. Tony finished the race in 54:56 and I finished the race in 54:57. This did not make me happy that Tony beat me by a second. I crossed the starting line a second before him and then we crossed the finish line holding hands so that is why he beat me by a second. :( He gave me a hard time about it because we are very competitive. Oh well, at least we broke our goal of 55 minutes. We felt great and had lots of fun!

Us with our future runner. Regan loved watching the race and says she wants to run the Peachtree someday too. She also enjoyed getting free ice cream sandwiches, powerade and popsicles after the race. When we got back to Grandpa and Grandma's house from the race Regan wanted to go out in the neighborhood and begin her running. So, Tony, Regan and I went running a mile. She did great and ran the whole way. She has been running about 4 times a week ever since the Peachtree. She is loving it. We may have a little runner on our hands.

Regan, me and Aunt Kim after the race.

We celebrated 4th of July over at my parents house. We had Mama Cook and Papa Doug over and my sisters's family too. We had barbeque for dinner, did Sparklers and Snap n' Pops and then Tony put on a wonderful firework show for us. We had a grand celebration.

Jonathon and Katie

Regan throwing Snap n' Pops at Daddy.

Uncle Jeff lighting a sparkler for Riley. The girls were not too sure about this. Reece thought it was going to make noise hence the fingers in her ears. She is wearing a bike helmet because she had been riding a bike and not because she thought the Sparklers would blow up. :)

Riley ended up liking the Sparklers.

Uncle Jeff trying to light Sparklers for Katie and I.

My dear niece, Katie, and I.Mama Cook having fun with Snap n' Pops.

Reece holding a sparkler.

Tony about to throw a Snap n' Pop at his mom while she takes a photo of us.

Kim helping Jonathon throw Snap n' Pops at us. Jonathon thought this was very funny.

Katie and Riley doing sparklers together Riley has two sparklers going at once

Great photo of Regan and Aunt Kim - minus the trashcan. :)

Regan loving on Cousin Jonathon. Jonathon loves having the girls home.

Sweet cousins...

Everyone watching the fireworksMama Cook and Papa Doug decked out for the 4th of July.

Our own firework show.

The aftermath....