Destin, Florida

How do you officially say good-bye to Summer Vacation? You hit the beach. Not just any beach! A white, sugar sand beach in Florida. Yes you West Coasters, I'm now a Gulf Coast Beach Snob.

**Notice that Braden is sporting a Steve Nash 'do. Sad?...Yes!

Riverwalk

I'm taking the time to document all the things I love about Columbus. One is the Riverwalk. The Riverwalk is a trail that runs right along the Chattahoochee River - that divides Georgia and Alabama - all through downtown right onto Ft. Benning

Last Lake Trip

We made it to the lake one last time before school started...and the boat kicked the can.

I told Chris if he hired a cleaning & yard crew and got me a house on the lake, I might find it possible to sweat it out here in the South...what do you think of this little lake house? (You all know I'm kidding - right? Or should I say "y'all??)

That's What Clorox Wipes Are For!!

Well, we did it again....turned the kitchen into a triage center; complete with surgical kit. That's where the clorox wipes come in. Brody cut his leg, so we wiped the kitchen counter down and Chris stitched him up right there next to the sink and dishwasher. There were some tense moments before the shot - but with some quick thinking on Bailey's part, a little Ipod Touch time worked "nerves" magic.

First Day of School

Imagine the Christmas Song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" playing in the background. I know that sounds bad...I love my kids. Really, I do; but I think I accomplished more this morning that I did most of the summer. The laundry is done, the kitchen is clean, dinner is pre-prepared, after school snacks have been made...and I'm showered. Amazing!!

Braden started Kindergarten and was excited beyond words. For 6:45 am, Brody was fairly pleasant, and Brooklyn...well, she's just Brooklyn. Bailey started Middle School. This is the 3rd School for Bailey here in Columbus. I'm extremely proud of her. She's taken all her moves in stride. Especially considering this is only One of her Two middle schools, since we'll move after her 7th grade year. Then she'll have to start High School who knows where starting all over again. I don't know that I could have done that!

CHICAGO, baby!

While Chris finished reviewing for his Step 2 Oral Examination...(He had to make 3 of these binders. 2 1/2" thick; 6 months of surgical cases submitted; the ABOS - American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons - picked 12 of the cases and all applicants were able to drop 2, leaving him with the 10 he was required to present)...

I hit the city on my own...in the sweltering heat...record heat...on my own...(I figured if Carol and I could maneuver NYC, I could manage Chicago).

We celebrated the end of an over 15 year journey by eating at the very renowned Charlie Trotter's of Chicago with the Boteros. Let me explain too what this menu is. You don't choose what you eat, you're served EVERYTHING on the menu. It was an 8 course meal. I would also like to add that I did eat everything except the clams. It was SO good!

Grand Menu

Marinated Big Eye Tuna with Compressed Watermelon & Kanzuri

Sweet Corn Soup with Manila & Geoduck Clams & Pickled Yukon Gold Potatoes

Steamed Atlantic Cod with Curry & Blossoms

Arkansas Rabbit Loin with Grey Morels, Endive & Rye

Elysian Fields Lamb with Smoked Red Pepper, Chickpea Pannise & Kalamata Olive

Prickly Pear Sorbet with Nopales & Campari Jelly

Coconut Mousse with Dark Rum Sorbet & Key Lime Jelly

Cacao Fruit Gelato with Ceylon Cinnamon, Candied Cocoa Nibs & Pequin Peppers

But...I made sure to follow up with Chris in his uniform, as this is most likely the last time he will ever wear it!

AZ with the FAM

These are out of order, but never the less, cover what we did.

Beth graciously left Utah a day early to hook up with us the day before we flew back to GA. This set of cousins hadn't seen each other since we left WA 2 years ago. (Braden was having a rough time, but they LOVED getting together, and I LOVED seeing Beth).

Jon and Roxanne had just gotten home from Russia, where again, we saw them just prior to leaving 2 years ago. All the Trejos got together at Brimhall Pool on the 4th of July for a massive cousins' swim party. Mamo even got decked out for the sultry weather.

Seth is such a cuddly, lover baby. He's always happy. He'd taken a special interest in Braden figuring it was another kid (a boy) close to the ground that would (he hoped) play with him.

Sorry Licity, this is a scary picture of your Aunt Carlie, but a great picture of you!

Barney and Diane had sparklers left over from New Year's Eve that we set off in the front yard.

On our way home from Powell, we stopped in Cameron to meet up with Chris' grandma Olive on her way to Idaho.

Kev & Nikk put some burgers and dogs on the grill and had us all over on the 4th before heading to the pool. I think the simple dinners where we all relax, stuff our faces and hang out are the absolute BEST! (Check out how tall Cole is. He towers over everybody!)

We have the greatest families and are so grateful for our trip to see everyone this summer!