While we were at the OBX, we celebrated Marcia's birthday. She hadn't seen her son Jeremy for a few years, so his being at this birthday celebration was extra special for her. When Jeremy was a kid he would make his Mom a birthday card every year. Yes, he could have bought one, but his hand made ones were always special for Marcia. This year was no different. He got up early one morning and headed to the store for his supplies. W all wondered what the card was going to be like, because he spent what seemed like hours making it. Just before we left for the restaurant to have her birthday dinner, he had us all sign her card. Mary and Steve hid it in their truck, along with the pink roses he got her (they are her favorites). After we got in the restaurant he brought them in to her. Yep, you guessed it... tears... not just by her, by all of us! He really loves his Mom!
We went to a place called the Sunset Grill. It sits out on the water, in the sound of the Outer Banks, in a town called Duck. The food was great, and we all loved the restaurant. After the meal, everyone went out on the pier to see the sunset. It was cut short by some clouds, but hey, you can't have everything! The only one who wasn't there yet was Julie. She came in later that night.
After dinner, Steve and Mary left to get Julie from the airport, and the rest of us headed back to the house. We had a traditional cheese torte, a family favorite from years back. We all sang, some of us out of tune, but she enjoyed it. It was nice to see her so happy and celebrate a birthday with her family.
Happy Birthday Marcia!!!!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
PT. 5 - And Then There's the Food...
OK, take a minute and think back to some of your favorite vacations. Food... there's always a ton of good food. This trip was definitely no exception. Not being a very good cook, I was worried if I'd do OK with my contributions, but everything was sooooo good.
As I said earlier, everyone cooks at least one meal for the entire group. We all bring munchies to share, and the kitchen island usually ends up the mass munchies stash. We all bring what we want for breakfast, and the rest is just history...
We feasted on everything you can imagine. It's an unofficial tradition that Mary makes a delicious ham, too large of course, but intentional so we have plenty for ham sandwiches for lunch. From the ham dinner, to a pot roast, chicken and ribs, and a lesson for everyone on how to crack snow crab, there was always something great to feast on. Our Luau was a blast, the steaks were perfect guys (our grill chefs), and Steve and Lisa even decided to make us all brunch one day! Truth be told, TUMS was everyone's favorite at one time or another, as we all ate, and ate, and ate...
There are some snacks we had on this trip that will stay in our minds as great memories. Tricia brought a huge (and I mean huge) container of cheese balls. Watch for that thing in the pictures! We also "had to eat" the giant bags of M&Ms and the enormous can of mixed nuts. Hey, it's a vacation, right? Name a chip... we had it there... Slim Jims, caramels, cookies, pretzel logs, fudge, and let's not forget Jeremy's special S'Mores. He's the Master at them! But of course Auntie Suzie had to create a special OBX drink... hehehe... Thank God this vacation was only two weeks or we'd all be waddling home!
The meals didn't have to be fancy, and we were all plenty hungry by dinner time. We'd get up and do "our thing" during the day, and just as asked, everyone enjoyed dinner as a group. Being a part of both familys there, we wondered how everyone would get along, or if anyone would feel left out. Not a chance. What a perfect vacation group! We all spent most dinners not only eating ourselves silly, but laughing 'til we hurt. (Ask Marcia to tell you the head joke.) I loved seeing everyone talking and laughing as if we were one huge family. Tricia and I felt so blessed to be a part of this group. It was funny to see how everyone chose their seats at the dinner table. Once we chose them, they became "our" seats. Jeremy had one end of the table, and I had the other. Sitting there put me in the middle, but made me feel so good to see everyone's faces and smiles during ever single meal. I loved seeing two sides of our family become one. After we'd say grace at each meal, I found myself saying that extra "thank you" for helping all of us come together. In my head I'd hear Makenzie saying her "God's neat, let's eat" prayer.
You know Lord, you made some truly amazing people... Thank you for this vacation...
As I said earlier, everyone cooks at least one meal for the entire group. We all bring munchies to share, and the kitchen island usually ends up the mass munchies stash. We all bring what we want for breakfast, and the rest is just history...
We feasted on everything you can imagine. It's an unofficial tradition that Mary makes a delicious ham, too large of course, but intentional so we have plenty for ham sandwiches for lunch. From the ham dinner, to a pot roast, chicken and ribs, and a lesson for everyone on how to crack snow crab, there was always something great to feast on. Our Luau was a blast, the steaks were perfect guys (our grill chefs), and Steve and Lisa even decided to make us all brunch one day! Truth be told, TUMS was everyone's favorite at one time or another, as we all ate, and ate, and ate...
There are some snacks we had on this trip that will stay in our minds as great memories. Tricia brought a huge (and I mean huge) container of cheese balls. Watch for that thing in the pictures! We also "had to eat" the giant bags of M&Ms and the enormous can of mixed nuts. Hey, it's a vacation, right? Name a chip... we had it there... Slim Jims, caramels, cookies, pretzel logs, fudge, and let's not forget Jeremy's special S'Mores. He's the Master at them! But of course Auntie Suzie had to create a special OBX drink... hehehe... Thank God this vacation was only two weeks or we'd all be waddling home!
The meals didn't have to be fancy, and we were all plenty hungry by dinner time. We'd get up and do "our thing" during the day, and just as asked, everyone enjoyed dinner as a group. Being a part of both familys there, we wondered how everyone would get along, or if anyone would feel left out. Not a chance. What a perfect vacation group! We all spent most dinners not only eating ourselves silly, but laughing 'til we hurt. (Ask Marcia to tell you the head joke.) I loved seeing everyone talking and laughing as if we were one huge family. Tricia and I felt so blessed to be a part of this group. It was funny to see how everyone chose their seats at the dinner table. Once we chose them, they became "our" seats. Jeremy had one end of the table, and I had the other. Sitting there put me in the middle, but made me feel so good to see everyone's faces and smiles during ever single meal. I loved seeing two sides of our family become one. After we'd say grace at each meal, I found myself saying that extra "thank you" for helping all of us come together. In my head I'd hear Makenzie saying her "God's neat, let's eat" prayer.
You know Lord, you made some truly amazing people... Thank you for this vacation...
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