I know, I know. I haven't posted in a while. But, we HAVE been doing some exciting things. We celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary on October 11th. Chris offered to take me somewhere fun for an extended weekend trip and I was able to convince him we should go for the whole week. We still wanted to keep it small and low key, so we got this adorable little condo on the Isle of Palms for the week. It wasn't super warm and it rained a few days, but we had a fabulous time.

Chris chillin' in the condo when we first got there. Before he could scatter cords for all his different electronics throughout the room. I was sooo covetous of this cool circle rug.

The beautiful beach where I walked (almost) everyday and sat and read.



It was FREEZING our last day. I had to go put on warmer clothes before we left.

The view from our screened porch.

Like I said, we did a lot of eating. The view from our breakfast table was significantly better than our breakfast table at home.

Although I didn't take any pics of the actual action, we rode our bikes a lot. I snapped this one at a restaurant in Greenville where we stopped to eat on the trip home. I have several more pics to post, but after a month, one short post is the best I can do today.

I actually visited my Grandmother about a month ago, but since we're leaving for the Isle of Palms tomorrow, I thought I better get these pics up. I LOVE my grandmother's spaghetti sauce and I'm picky about sharing it. (OK, I horde it and I won't share it with my sister.) Since Grandmother is almost 88 years old and losing her eyesight, I thought it was time I learned how to make it. There was indeed a secret ingredient, and at her request, will remain so. Personally I think the other "secret" is the home grown tomatoes. Check out this cherry tomato plant. My dad and I picked 5 ice cream buckets FULL and could have picked more during the 3 days we were there.

Not a great picture of her, but the only one I got. (Not sure why I didn't take any people pictures while there.)

THE Sauce.

In the pressure cooker.

Ta Da! Finished product. Don't they look beautiful. You can get a small glimpse of the wallpaper she' s had in her kitchen since 1976. Very retro.

***Alternate Title*** How We Got an Extra Day at the Beach.

When we picked up the rental car on Thursday night, it was making a noise like it had a flat tire. So we pulled right over and got out to check all the wheels. We couldn't find anything wrong and figured our dogged out, low end rental car had a bad muffler.

We were wrong.



We got there fine, but on the way back to the airport the sound got louder. Then about 30 seconds later, a huge bang and the tires locked up and we started skidding. Chris was able to get us over to the shoulder.

What the heck? It looked like we got side swiped.

Actually, the plastic part of the wheel well came off and stripped the tire of all it's tread, then got jammed in the tire itself, completely locking up the back wheels.

Taylor is distraught that we have to go back to the beach.

Once we got there and got over the excitement of Taylor's first flight, we had a wonderful time chilling out in the awesome condo, hanging out on the beach, eating some great seafood, and watching the fireworks show down on Daytona Beach's boardwalk.

We did a lot of this:





And a lot of this:

Chris tried surfing. He go up the very first time. Wasn't so lucky on subsequent tries. Maybe I can talk him into to taking me to Hawaii so we can try some better waves.

On the dock at the resturaunt.

On the boardwalk.

The great view from our lanai over looking Crabby Jo's.

Great for people watching.

This year, Kaleigh invited Taylor to come down with us. She had never flown before and was so excited. I called her the day before we left to ask her if she was ready and she talked my ear off. I don't think I've ever heard her that animated on the phone. She was already packed and ready to go!

On the jet way waiting to board. We like to board very last so we don't have to sit and wait for everyone else to get on. The shortest amount of time on the plane possible is the way I see it. Thanks to all you eager beavers for jumping up and boarding first. The seats are assigned, remember? No one's gonna steal your seat. Taylor was very antsy for us to get on.

In the door to the cabin.

We let Taylor have the window seat. She told EVERYONE (the stewardess, the people behind us, the people next to us, thank goodness there was no one in front of us!) we passed that this was her first time flying. She is so beautiful, though. Everyone thought she was so cute. I'm so glad we got the chance to take her. Even if she did get a little homesick the last few days.

The server took our picture and I thought it turned out pretty good considering I've gained 15 pounds from all the fertility drugs. Hiding behind your husband's arm does wonders for the figure! :-)

This about sums up my day.





Oh, and the Dr. telling me I have a 1% chance of getting pregnant on my own. All in the same day. Good Times.