he said. she said. a married couple's blog.

Thursday, September 18

We had a pretty busy summer. Not only did we go to C'ville, but we also went on our trip to the Poconos, Ocean City and the Cottage. Each trip was not long enough, but fun.

The Poconos trip was originally supposed to include all the Muskoxen, but it ended up just being us and Keith and Shade' with a few days with Kate and Vince, too. The photo above was from my favorite part, the Boulder Field at Hickory Run State Park. It was quite literally one of the most striking things I have ever seen. Mostly, we just chilled.

The trip to OC was more spur of the moment. We ended up staying not too far away from where I always stayed as a kid. Not a whole lot has changed, so we hit a few spots: Trimpers, Marty's Playland, Assateauge and of course, the beach. Not too many photos because I mostly just wanted to enjoy the moment and I just didn't feel like it!

Our annual trip to the Cottage was later than usual this year, but we got to visit with Brendan's brother and his family who were up from Texas. The kids had a ball. In addition to all our regular activities, we went on a Safari and to Nelson's Ledges (shown above).

All in all, it's been a good few months.

Labels: bridget, lists, trips, vacation

Thursday, June 12

exterminator

I think my favorite story from our C'ville trip happened at Monticello. We had just come through the "all-weather passageway" and Bridget, Brendan and I were waiting for Anne to use the facilities. Bridget, as she often does, noticed a big old ant crawling around on the brick path. She crouched down and watched it for a few minutes. Some high schoolers who were on a group trip gathered near her and commented on how adorable she is. Then, right on cue, Bridget stood up, sized up the ant, lifted her foot and stomped on it. "I GOT IT!!!" She yelled "SQUISH ANT!!" Too perfect.

Labels: bridget, trips

Sunday, June 8

hot & bothered

Today, we went to Monticello. And boy, was it hot. For the most part, there was at least some sort of a breeze, but when the air completely stopped it was almost unbearable. We had wanted to get an earlier tour than the 9:55 we had ended up with, but our efforts to purchase tickets online were unsuccessful. SQL error messages and no phone number to call to buy in advance.

The grounds were quite pretty; however, there wasn't as much to see as say Mount Vernon. The tour of the house went quite well. Bridget was very good for the most of it, and about halfway through, we took her out of her stroller and carried her. Between Brendan, his mom and I we had plenty of hands. In the very last room (we didn't know that at the time), the Madison bedroom, she got a little fussy and made like 30 seconds of noise.

Well, that was just unacceptable to some Monticello old-lady employee.

She popped her head in the room and said, "Does she need to go out." I said, "No, it's alright. She'll be fine." and then she said "Why doesn't she come out, come with me." and I said again, "She'll be fine." And she was fine but this woman was majorly pushy. I know it probably doesn't sound like it, but she was giving me the disapproving eye like she somehow knew better.

Whatever lady.

And seriously, two minutes later our guide was leading us outside. I mean, she made it through 6 other rooms... I was pretty damn annoyed. I understand that they need to think of all the people on our tour, but it was literally longer to tell this woman that we were fine where we were than Bridget was "fussy".

I would definitely go back though. The house was interesting and the grounds were very nice. It'd be something to see in the fall. I'm not about to let one sourpuss ruin the experience.

Bridget is an incredibly good little traveler.

Labels: bridget, trips

Saturday, June 7

hot visit

We decided on a whim to drive down to Charlottesville this weekend. On the way, we stopped off at the Wilderness battlefields to where Brendan's great-great-great grandfather was wounded. Obviously, he lived, but it's quite amazing. He got shot in the chest and made it all the way to the hospital in Alexandria.

The drive through the country was really pretty. I honestly want to live in an old farmhouse somewhere. Brendan, not so much.

We spent a little time at the downtown mall, had lunch, did some shopping, took Bridget to the Children's Discovery Museum and had gelato.

First of all, the gelato was AWESOME. I had a scoop of rose and a scoop of blood orange. Amazing. Brendan had raspberry and chocolate hazelnut. Brendan's mom had strawberry and dulce de leche. Bridget had a little of everything but preferred the strawberry and the rose.

The Children's Discovery Museum was a lot of fun. It was only $4.00 per adult ($3.50 with our AAA discount). Since it was so crazy hot, it was so nice to get out of the sun, and let Bridget run around and play with a bunch of fun stuff that we didn't have to clean up.

After we checked into our hotel, we took a short drive (2 minutes) to the UVA campus and got some T-Shirts at the bookstore and walked around. It's apparently a big alumni reunion weekend, and they were setting up a dinner around the rotunda, so we didn't get any photos -- we'll have to do that tomorrow morning. We're heading out early to Monticello, a winery (or two) and who knows what else before we go home.

We grabbed some dinner at a little Italian place right near our hotel, and then spent some time cooling off in the hotel pool. (Mom, you will be so happy to hear that Bridget says swim pool with a nice little southern accent.) Bridget LOVED the pool, and did not want to hold onto anyone; however, she does not know how to swim. I totally understand why kiddie pools exist now.

She's fast asleep in the bed now while we wait for the DC United vs. Chicago Fire game to start.

Labels: bridget, trips

Friday, March 7

exhausted

This pretty much sums up how we all felt last night and today.

And tomorrow we head back up to Baltimore!

Labels: bridget, family, trips, vacation

Wednesday, March 5

aw man!

On our last night in town, we're going to see DC United play across the street at the Texas Pro Soccer Festival; however, it does not look like we will be seeing any of the starters play. Maybe they'll all be on the bench and we can get autographs at least.

Labels: DCU, trips, vacation

Tuesday, March 4

hipsters

Went to the SoCo neighborhood in Austin today. We are so not hip enough to live there.

Gallery is updated with photos.

Labels: family, trips, vacation

Lazy Day

Monday was a lazy day with the kids going to school and Pat and Steph working. We just hung around the house, but still had some fun:

And got some work done:

Labels: bridget, family, trips, vacation

Monday, March 3

Sunday Activities

Yesterday we went to Mission San José.

and did some kite flying.

Pictures are being updated daily (so far) in the latest San Antonio album.

Bridget also has a new album, but it is currently only populated with pictures of her from this trip.

Labels: bridget, family, trips, vacation

Saturday, March 1

Nice Weather Here

In San Antonio for a week visiting Pat and Steph and the kids. The weather today was excellent, and I'm even considering changing into shorts at some point. Maybe tomorrow.

Pictures from Hannah's soccer game this morning are in the gallery. We'll try to update as the week goes on.

Labels: family, trips, vacation

Wednesday, October 10

busy busy busy

We've been busy lately. Photos are in the gallery (or will be very soon) of:

a trip to Florida to see family,

Brendan and Keith go to the Steelers' 49ers game,

apple picking,

a trip to Charleston, SC last weekend, and

just Bridget

Labels: bridget, family, football, lists, trips

Tuesday, July 31

trip envy

It seems like everyone around me is going on amazing trips lately and I'm getting a little jealous.

One of my coworkers just got back from Peru (and another is going soon). His daughter was there on an archaeological dig for several months and he met her and they went to Machu Picchu. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I have a serious fondness of South America (I'd love to take a literary tour). I was so close to actually going to Chile for work a few years ago but it fell through and I'm still bitter. I haven't seen any photos of his trip yet, but I suspect that will happen soon and it will only increase my envy. Even if I could convince my husband to take a trip to Peru, Chile or Argentina, I don't think I'd want to take Bridget (at least not at this point in her life). It's going to have to continue to wait, I think.

Brendan's mom and his cousin are currently in China, teaching English to middle schoolers. They will soon be finished with that and embark on a week long tour of more of the country. Honestly, I really don't have much desire to go to China, but they seem to be having quite an adventure. I'm thoroughly enjoying reading Jamie's blog.

Now, we are planning on taking a trip with the Muskoxen (and significant others) next summer since Brendan, Geoff and Vince are all turning 30. A while back we were going around with suggestions and although we had sort of settled on a cruise of the Eastern Caribbean (which don't get me wrong, would be AWESOME, especially with everyone), I am still holding out hope for something like Iceland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, or Croatia. There's so much time until then, though.

I love our annual trips to the lake, but I need to see more (and I know I'm not the only one who feels that way).

Labels: trips, vacation

Wednesday, July 11

home again

Brendan posted all our pictures from this year's trip to the lake. You have two choices:

All the pictures.

Or, just the ones of the child

Labels: bridget, lake, trips, vacation

Sunday, July 1

waterbaby

Bridget loves the lake. She just walked right in and wanted to keep on going.

Labels: bridget, lake, trips, vacation

Tuesday, June 19

so ready

It's almost vacation time. We try and make it up to the cottage every year around the 4th of July. Last year was pretty much the only exception to that rule. I'm pretty excited about watching Bridget experience it all this year. Last August, she didn't really know what was going on. This year should be good. If the sand in her hair yesterday when we picked her up from daycare is any indication, the sand on the beach should give her no problem. I hope she likes smooth rocks just as much. A lot of things have changed at nearby Geneva-on-the-Lake but a lot of the important things (Eddie's) are the same.

I'm just ready for a vacation. Life hasn't been particularly hard or anything as of late; I'm just itching to get away. It's that time of year. For my entire life vacation has always been around this time. We'd get out of school and very soon after (two weeks later at the longest) we'd go to Ocean City. My parents' and brothers at home still go around this time. (Probably always will!) I know Dad is counting down the days.

Here's hoping that our 8 hour car ride goes well. There's no indication that it won't, but you never know...

Labels: bridget, lake, trips, vacation

Monday, April 16

sweet memories

Ran across this article in the Post about Praiano, Italy, the little village we stayed in Italy when we were there for Vince and Kate's wedding in 2003. The article is spot on, and brought back the memories of the entire trip. It mentioned everything: Bar de Sole, the language barrier, the stairs, Padre Pio...

It's funny, I was just thinking about our trip not that long ago.

What's particularly interesting is that the Details article that accompanies the main article mentions the market we frequented. Given what happened to me on our last day, well, you decide if you want to go shopping there. I don't think I will again. The trip as a whole was amazing though and the village was just about perfect.

[Relive our whole trip in the travelblog and the gallery.]

Labels: Italy, nostalgia, trips