We're Moving!

If you are like me, you have about 500 different e-mail and blogging accounts. I've decided to cut this one out of my life. Sounds harsh, but its necessary. Please check out the my new blog at: http://theblogbybritt.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

A Raccoon!

I've never seen a raccoon that wasn't roadkill. So we were surprised to find one hanging out in the tree in the backyard.



We checked on him later to find him sleeping, just straddling one of the top tree branches.



We checked on him again, only to find out "he" has at least one baby with him in the tree. (Look closely to the right.)

Badin Lake

We went camping again, heading south to Badin Lake in the Uwharrie Forest. This time, we camped two nights! Mark relentlessly kicked my butt at Battleship and Connect Four. However, I have the superior Uno skills. That game is all about skill, you know.





We already hitting the dang hot part of summer and were glad to have the lake to swim in. This was Dori's first time swimming, and she doggie paddled like a pro! (Especially since we never let her out of our arms completely.)



There were bugs and a lot of critters. We saw a giant snake, a few frogs and lizards, and a turtle.





We hiked to the "Nifty Rocks" Seriously, that is what the area is called on the map. After being used to seeing awesome rock formations in southern Utah, we weren't all that impressed. These rocks were only somewhat nifty.


Still, we really look forward to going back later this summer.

First Time Camping

I didn't always think camping could be a fun activity. (Flashback to church trips with a bunch of girls and teenage drama) But Mark and I decided to give it a shot after shopping at Costco and unexpectedly walking out with a tent and two sleeping bags.

It turns out I actually like camping a lot! I think Mark and I got a few things right with our trip. First, we brought the dog:





Then we traveled just a short hour to the strange, lone peak in western North Carolina called Pilot Mountain.



because it had great views like these:





We let our sissy dog sleep in the tent when she tired from digging holes:



Brought a huge cooler and a ton of snacks:



Kept a fire going the whole time (letting Mark relive his childhood days of playing with flammable stuff and lighters) and roasted mallows:



Camping is great!

The VGs Visit

Mom, Dad, and Kayla spent their spring break at our place. We showed them around Greensboro and made a trip up to Virginia Beach. At Virginia Beach we toured the Lighthouse of Terror (more commonly known as the Cape Henry Lighthouses)which kicked my fear of heights into gear because of the tall spirally stairs. Trust me, it was scary. But the view from the top was well worth it.



We also toured the Battleship Wisconsin, checked out an aquarium, Chesapeake Bay Bridge, hung out at the beach, and ate a ton of seafood. Oh, and all the gift shops we could handle. Every so often, we'd hear Kayla suggest her favorite source of entertainment- "Gift shop?" and we'd stop to shop.







Dad's brother Alan and his wife Linda drove from Raleigh to have Easter dinner with us.It had been a long time since they saw each other, so it was a special small reunion. Despite the time and distance, you can easily tell Dad and Alan are related.


That's what I love about family. Time and distance doesn't matter. In a way you're always stuck with each other, and that's just fine by me.

Marchy March

We were happy to have visitors in March! Sue and Brian stayed with us a few days. While they were here, Brian made his famous recipe for grilled salmon. We also baked brownies, bundled up and sat around a fire pit at night, and basically enjoyed good company for a few days.

During the time Sue was here, it was also the anniversary of a Revolutionary War battle in a nearby park. So we walked across the street to the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park to watch the reenactment of a battle that once took place on those very grounds. The reenactors fired weapons, charged each other on the field, and some even played dead.



We love having people come visit and look forward to more company soon!

SLC Trip: The Summary (only because the blog series could go on forever)

We acted goofy:





We bonded with family:




We loved every minute.

(and Mom fed me Cafe Rio three times, as promised.)

Interlude: Fat Squirrel!

SLC Trip- Part 3: Brennon Joins the Fam!

Brennon Max was born to Shalese and Jeff on February 3rd.

SLC Trip: Part 2- They DO Come with Instructions!

Trae was born October 27th, but I didn't meet him until this trip. (Although I felt like I knew him already due to Dani's awesome blogging) Absolutely adorable at three months, he blew spit bubbles and sucked his thumb. His Mom kept standing him on his legs, causing her Mom to pull worried faces and say that he is going to end up bowlegged.


There was one day where almost everyone had to work, and I was tickled when Dani let me babysit. Little Trae was dropped off that morning with a nice list of printed instructions on his feeding/napping schedule. Totally understandable since I couldn't quite figure out how to burp him the day before. And just so no one thinks his parents are crazy, it might have been my Mom's idea. Dani best summarized his schedule: "Sleep, feed, play, repeat."

Salt Lake Trip: Part 1- PEPSI CHALLENGE

The Van Gorder Pepsi Challenge was created by Chris who believed, that in spite of our unwavering allegiance to Pepsi, we could not identify our favorite brand when it was missing its label.

Chris created a list of soda beverages (Coke, Pepsi, Cherry Coke, Shasta, etc.) The VGs then had to sample each beverage, mark which beverage they thought it was, and then rank how much they liked it.


It seemed like an easy task considering our long history with Pepsi. When I was little Gram would jokingly warn that too much Pepsi would "make your knees turn black." Even the littlest grand kids, whose parents wouldn't let them have their own Pepsi, were allowed to "sip the poison" (the bubbly froth) off her Pepsi. She also hosted Pepsi parties after school and we'd eat popcorn and watch Saved By the Bell. All of this ultimately led to the Pepsi Challenge.

Mark was very scientific, gathering one of each drink and hunkering down in a corner to methodically sample each.



This was important because the Pepsi Challenge was, in fact, a challenge! After a while, the drinks all started to taste the same, and the VG's taste buds failed them. Out of all of us Mark had the highest score: 8/10. The VG with blackest knees.