Williamsburg, VA

Jud and I went to Williamsburg, Virginia with my parents, Evan and Blake to attend Evan's best friend from high school's wedding. We added on a few days before and after the wedding since none of us had ever been there. Jud's parents came in town to watch the boys while we were gone (those pics to come later).

We stayed at the Wedmore Place at the Williamsburg Winery (picture below). It's a boutique hotel with 28 different European inspired rooms. Each room had a wood burning fire place. That is a great selling point, until you get there and realize that all the rooms smell faintly like soot (that was the only negative). The hotel was quaint with beautiful grounds. One afternoon, we took a tour/tasting of the winery. I wasn't expecting much and was pleasantly surprised. The wine was good and we had a lot of fun.

On Thursday, we toured Colonial Williamsburg. I'm not really a history buff, but really enjoyed it. It was so fun to walk the streets of the 18th century. Here's the whole group in front of Governor's Palace.

In the Palace gardens. The tulips were stunning.

The Magazine (arsenal).

Up inside The Magazine on a tour.

That night we ate at Kings Arms Tavern. It originally opened in 1772 and the restaurant is set back in that time with only candlelight, waiters in costumes/character and a menu of what they would have served back then. We had a great experience and fabulous comfort food.

In the 1700's everyone used a square yard of fabric as their napkin and tied it around their neck. We thought this was genius. Why did they start making so much smaller napkins? If you know the Argue family, you would know that we could all use larger napkins most of the time.

Before the wedding on Saturday, we headed to Historic Jamestowne, the site of the first permanent English settlement in America. Currently, archaeologists are excavating a 1608 church and processing thousands of artifacts that were found in a well likely constructed in 1609 under the direction of Captain John Smith. The church was also the site where Pocahontas married Smith. We listened to an archaeologist talk about what they were digging/finding. It was so interesting and we all enjoyed watching them work. Here the site of the 1608 church.

These crosses mark graves/bodies from the 1600's and 1700's that have been found by archaeologists.

Katie is practically part of the Argue family and her wedding was absolutely beautiful. She was a stunning bride and we all had so much fun. Evan (Matron of Honor) Blake (Usher/Reader) with Katie and Austin.

This is one of our things. We love to take these shots from above. This time the bride took the place of Blake.

What a great trip! Thanks to Noni & JoJo and GraMary & Grandpa for making is happen!

YouTube Baby?

Will Miles be the next YouTube baby? Check it out for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFMf5EkEexU

Houston Rodeo

During Spring Break we took Miller to the Houston Rodeo for the day. Jud took off part of the day and Noni watched Miles. Miller remembered going last year and was so excited.

One of Miller's friends was able to do Mutten Bustin' (ride a really fast sheep across an arena) even though he was only 4 years old. The rules state that you have to be 5 and a certain weight. They didn't seem to care about the age just as long as you were big enough. Anyway, we went straight to sign Miller up and he was really excited to ride a sheep, until he saw a little boy fall off and get trampled. The boy was ok (all the kids wear a padded vest and helmet) but Miller decided then and there that he was not going to get on a sheep. Not even a real cowboy could talk him into it. He did say that he would ride one next year when he was 4. If you know my husband, he was not happy that we couldn't get our $10 back. :)

We then went to the petting zoo and Miller enjoyed the really big pig. He also thought it was really funny when the deer tried to eat his shirt.

Jud and Miller waiting in line to ride a camel. Yes, I said camel. For some reason they have camel rides at the rodeo and Miller chose to ride a camel over a pony since he had just rode a pony at his school rodeo round-up.

Hanging on tight.

Posing...even the camel is smiling.

Miller was most excited about riding rides.

Mini roller coaster with daddy.

He barely made it to the car before he fell asleep. He was so tired.

Rodeo Round-up

Rodeo Round-up at Miller's school (our church) was March 10. It's a great event with a BBQ dinner, silent auction and lots of fun activities for the kids.

Miles was great the whole time. He just sat in his stroller and smiled.

Miller riding a pony.

Another picture of him on the pony. I just love this one.

Miles just hanging out.

In the petting zoo. Look at the tiny baby pigs we were trying to pet.

Savannah

So we drove from Charleston to Savannah on Sunday morning. The drive was a little disappointing, but Savannah was not. We stayed at a great bed and breakfast, The Gastonian. I found it on Kiwi Collection, one of my favorite hotel websites. Sometimes they have better prices than what you can find on the hotel website and I've yet to be disappointed by one of their hotels.

Once we checked in, we drove down to the river to walk around. The shops on the river were all souvenir shops, but we ate at a nice restaurant over-looking the water.

The next morning, we decided to take a walk before we had our breakfast delivered to our room. We walked a few blocks to Forsyth Park which was so beautiful. It was a square surrounded by gorgeous southern houses with this beautiful fountain in the middle.

Around the park was this wide sidewalk with beautiful oak trees covered in moss.

Our flight didn't leave until Monday evening so we decided to take a trolley tour through the town. This was the perfect way to see Savannah when you only have an afternoon. We were able to get on and off when we wanted and learned all sorts of history.

Chef Paula Deen is from Savannah and they are so glad to claim her. We didn't eat at her restaurant, but here is a picture of it with a line out the door.

If ever in the area, Savannah is a place you must visit. Its southern charm coupled with its history makes it a perfect gem.

Charleston

The first weekend in March Jud and I went to Charleston, SC for a wedding. We left the boys here with my parents and we had a much needed weekend away.

This is the view from our room. We had great weather while we were there. The afternoon we arrived, Jud and I sat down on that patio above the pool and had a cocktail. I asked him why it was so relaxing and his response was, "Because you aren't worried Miller is going to fall in the pool." SO TRUE!

A great Martin family friend, Kevin Kalkwarf, got married. The entire weekend was impressive and it started with the rehearsal dinner. It was held at the Old Exchange Building. It is considered to be one of the three most historically significant Colonial buildings in the United States and was built in 1772. The ratification of the Constitution was held there in 1788 and President George Washington visited the building in 1791.

On Saturday morning, we drove around to see the city with Max and Mary (Jud's parents). We stopped and toured the Calhoun Mansion. It's the largest private residence that is on tour in Charleston. The house has a great history, but what I took away from it was as a culture we just have way too much stuff. I've never seen so much stuff. The owner just likes to buy old, strange, expensive antiques...stuff. Several examples: stuffed polar bear, zebra and elephant hoof foot stools.

Here we are in the garden of the Calhoun Mansion.

Jud and I in front of the house.

This house was across the street from the Calhoun mansion and I thought it was so beautiful. I would love to have a glass of lemonade in the spring on that porch and maybe even take a nap. If you are wondering, the porches are all on the sides of the houses as that is the way the breeze blows.

We then went to the Hominy Grill for lunch. This is the third Man vs. Food restaurant we have visited and just like the other two, it did not disappoint . The Shrimp and Grits with mushrooms was fabulous and the Big Nasty fried chicken sandwich with gravy was delish.

The wedding was Saturday night at an old Catholic church in downtown Charleston. Then we headed to the reception at the Historic Rice Mill Building on the water. As we walked up, we were greeted with these beautiful hydrangea wreaths.

And then you open the door to this. I just love hydrangeas!

Jud with the groom and Kyle (brother of the groom and one of Jud's best friends from childhood). They both went to West Point and have given their lives to the Army and this country. Kyle has been on several tours of duty and Kevin has been on one and will head out again this summer. We don't thank them enough for our freedom.

Neither Jud or I had been to a military wedding. It was super cool to witness all the traditions. One of my favorites was that they cut the wedding cake with Kevin's Saber. Cissy was such a beautiful bride!

The four of us at the wedding.

On Sunday, Jud and I headed to Savannah, GA. It was just the two of us for the night and we really enjoyed the alone time. I'll do a separate post for that so this doesn't get even longer.

Weekend in Ft. Worth

Jud had a TCU Alumni board meeting in Ft. Worth the last weekend in February so the family decided to tag along. We took the boys to the TCU baseball game on Friday night with Ricky and Shae (I can't believe we didn't take any pictures). Miller had so much fun and Miles was a trooper (it was quite chilly and windy). The frogs started off the season top ranked so lets hope they can stay on top through out the season.

We stayed at my friend Maggie's house and had so much fun hanging out with them. Eli is a year older than Miller and they are best buds. On Saturday we headed to the FW Zoo with Maggie, Eli, Mollie, Ricky and Shae. We had great sunny/warm weather and had so much fun.

Pink flamingo.

Show me your muscles.

Checking out the giraffes.

Miller and Eli on the elephant statue.

Jud and Ricky wanted to pose on the elephant statue too, but Miller stole the show.

Sweet Miles is always smiling.

Jud took some great pictures of Miller checking out the fish.

Love it!

I'm an airplane.

Saturday night after dinner with Ricky and Shae we started goofing around on Shae's computer. Yep, we are 12.

GraMary & Grandpa Visit

In January, Jud's parents were in Houston for three weeks. Now that they are retired, they have decided to build a house in Conroe. It's an hour north of us and just a few minutes from my parents lake house. They have purchased a lot and are starting to work on plans. They stayed with us for an extended weekend and then stayed at my parents lake house for the remaining time so they could work on house stuff. We went up to the lake for two weekends to spend time with them and just hang out. We are looking forward to more visits in the future.

The boys with GraMary and Grandpa before church.

Chillin' at the lake.

Sweet Miles. He is so good when we are away from home...just goes with the flow.

Miller riding his bike.

Wake-up Miller

Miles waking up Miller from a nap. They love each so much!