Sunday, June 29, 2008

In Virginia Again

We are back in Virginia from our trip to Fontana. It ended up being a 10 hour drive!! Actually it wasn't to bad because River traveled so well. He hasn't really been his best this whole trip, but when we need him to behave the most he has come through for us! We stayed in a nice 3 bedroom cabin, right in the middle of the Smokey Mountains. Very beautiful. We enjoyed being there and the highlight of the trip was the day Art (Brian's step Dad) rented a pontoon boat for the day. We jumped off the boat into the most perfect lake water! The water temperature was just perfect enough to cool you down with out being too cold. The water was deep, clear and a gorgeous blue-green color. The view from on the water looking to the shore was fabulous. Brian took River out on the "tube" a few times and each time he settled in and FELL ASLEEP! Everyone was amazed at how quickly and easily he fell asleep right there on the tube being pulled around a lake. He would have easily spent the day sleeping on it, but Daddy can only hold on for so long.

When we came back we stepped out of the car into the most hot, humid weather I ever want to experience. I know that this type of weather is normal for a good part of the East Coast, but for me it is just too HOT! Even Brian thought so. We spent the evening indoors and will spend the rest of today inside.

Tomorrow we will leave for home. Our flight leaves at 6 am and we arrive about 11. We will get our dogs and get back to the grindstone of regular life.

Friday, June 20, 2008

On Vacation

Brian and I are ending the first leg of our 2 week vacation. We have been in Newport News, Virginia staying with Brian's sister and bro in law. His grand mommy has been staying with us also. Brian's Dad and his wife Joyce are staying in a nearby hotel. It has been great getting to know his family better and I really feel like part of the family. We have had the chance to do some sight seeing as well. Not an easy task with a 2 year old. Williamsburg and Jamestown, both historic sites and a great time. Best of all was Busch Gardens. The best amusement park EVER. River had a great time and we could not have asked for better behavior. We got there at 9:30 am and stayed until 8:30 pm. We went with Jen, her kids and Brian's Dad. The kids got to go on tons of rides and Brian and I got to go on some great roller coaster rides. Some were big enough to scare us. We wore Jim (Brian's Dad) out, but he was a great sport and really enjoyed spending time with the all the kids. It really gave River a chance to get to know him.



Sunday we will travel 8 HOURS to Fontana North Carolina. We will be staying in cabins near the lake. We will enjoy spending time with his mom and both sisters. We will travel with Jen, Bill and their kids and meet the rest there.



River did a fantastic job flying here. It was one of the most relaxing trips we have taken. Pics when we return!

Monday, June 9, 2008

Busy Times

As most everyone knows, our house is on the market. We have been getting at least 2 showings a week. In this market that is really good. We are glad, but it is very time consuming keeping the house in top shape at all times, just in case. We had a visit from Jen and Bill, Brian's sister and bro in law. It was a good time, but short. We tried to go up to Mt Rainier but were greeted with rain and pea soup fog. River loved getting to know his Aunt and Uncle and they were great with him. We leave on Friday to go to Virginia to visit them and the rest of the family. It will be good to have so much time to spend together.

With everything going on life has been busy and it seems one day flows in to the next with more little things that need to be done. We are glad that we can get away from it all and slow down over vacation. River is changing so much now we don't want to miss it. He does so many cute things I can't even remember all of it by the end of the day. He has been going thru a phase of being scared at nite. He has had to sleep with his light on the last few nights. After we put him to bed he cries and says the neetopper is coming. He repeats it a few times. Don't ask, because I have no idea what the neetopper is. I think that he was scared one nite and realized that brought me back to his room so he keeps it up to prolong bedtime, mixed in with some genuine fear. We comfort him and leave his light on and I think he is getting over it. He is really turning out to be such a little love boy. Tonite, Brian and I took some time out to just hang out with him on a blanket on the floor. I gave him a kiss and he kept going back and forth kissing each of us. Then he told me "I Love my Daddy" and then he kissed me and said to Brian "I Love Mommy". Heart melting. However, he can turn into a little "terrible two"in the blink of an eye. He was born testing my limits and makes it a point to do so regularly. It is so frustrating but I also admire his determination and strength of will.

The weather here has been nothing but overcast, cold and rain. I think it has only been that way for a week and a half but it feels like forever. Today the wind was blowing and it was raining, it really could have been a winter day.

I haven't really mentioned much about my Dad and what is going on with him, but I am happy to be able to say that he is off chemo for now. He has been on it since the beggining of the year. Things look like they will be good for some time. It will be great to have him feeling better. After such a long time it had really started to wear him down. Defiantly a reason to be thankful!