Summer Photos

Summer Vacation 2010: East Coast

Mr. Intimidator

Remington and David (cousin) driving around the farm!


The best transportation--golf cart!

I took this photo simply for Michael's mom and aunt--Look at the HUGE mate!

Worn out--no question!

Our nation's capitol-on a humid August afternoon.

The White House!

The Gray's!

Mr. Gray in front of Obama's house.

Shh!

The Treasury!

Say it isn't so--another summer coming to a close!

It is hard to believe summer is almost gone. And for the Gray family it didn't really begin until the last week of July when Michael got a 3 week break from grad school! (1 more year baby!) So we packed up the kiddo and headed East for 10 days of no cell phone service and internet connection that seriously is slower than a turle in a 5k. Which means that life turns a little slower and reality tv transforms from Bravo to sitting on the front porch watching your neighbors.

One thing that was a little bit faster pace was Remington and his excursions on the battery operated truck. I have a video of it, but blogger is being a loser right now and won't load it.

While in North Carolina Michael and I went on a couple of adventures: 1) Raleigh, where we explored the State Capitol building--also known as Michael didn't believe it was that small. 2) Road trip to Washingon, D.C. where we got to stay in the Ritz Carlton (AMAZING) and have a little adult time because Remington stayed with Grandma Melva. 3)Carowinds was a fun day trip too. We went with two of my brothers and my brothers fiance and her family. I have no an ounce of adventure in my body, but Michael and my brothers acted like teenagers again and rode almost every ride there. 4)Homemade ice cream at Myra's house--this stuff is my favorite and one of the reasons I wanted to come home during the summer. 5)Hot dogs--now you can get hot dogs anywhere but there is nothing like a Carolina Dog at the end of a hot and humid day. Thanks to Dad/Bonnie and Grandma Hawkins! 6)Rascoe-Dameron Road Country Club also known as Vernon and Brenda's pool was a favorite of mine while we were there too. 7)Watching my 101 year old Grandpa on his tractor mowing--we call it bush hoggin! 8) Riding the golf cart as our mode of transportation. 9) Hanging out at Leslie's house because she has ESPN and Diet Dr. Pepper--not to mention she is so much fun and Remington is in love with her. 10) Getting pedicures multiple times from my cousin Kalynn (I am not sure if you spell her name that way or not).

Overall it was a great vacation. And fun to spend time with the family that we hardly ever see.

Just a reminder, I'm still allergic.

This past week Michael and I took Remington to his allergist for a regular check-up to see if anything had changed with his nut and egg allergies. The doctor told us about a new treatment they are doing on people with allergies to try to reverse the allergy. However, Remington's are too severe to try to do this treatment. Remington is almost guaranteed to have a reaction when given nuts or eggs. His levels are almost off the charts for both meaning that the reaction is potentially life threatening.

The doctor reminded us that we have to be dilligent in keeping Remington away from all nuts and eggs. The doctor has counseled us to not bring Remington into environments where nuts and eggs are served. I know Michael and I have relaxed ourselves a little bit about this rule, but going to the doctor was a strong reinforcement for me. We are asking our friends and family to please be more aware that Remington is seriously allergic to several food items. If Remington is in your home please do not serve food with eggs and nuts while he is there. There is too great of a risk for cross contamination, especially with other children in the mix who go lick the same toys or share a sippy and may have eaten something Remington is allergic to. Luckily we haven't had any severe issues, but there have been instances where we have had to give Remington benadryl to try and prevent a reaction due to contact with food he is allergic to in other peoples homes.

We love our Remington and we know that our friends and family do as well. Please join us in making play dates, dinner parties, sleepovers, etc. more enjoyable for everyone by not serving food that has come in contact w/ egg and nuts. Once Remington is older and he can manage food himself, we may not have to ask this of our friends and family. But until Remington understands the importance of not putting things from the floor in his mouth, nor licking toys or sharing sippy cups this needs to be the new norm. Thank you so much in advance for helping Michael and I keep our sweet pea safe.

cursed

About 2 years ago I sold my 1st wedding dress to a girl whose brother-in-law I work with. I sold it for barely 1/10 of what I originally paid, but I didn't care I just wanted it to be used. No sense in the dress hanging in a closet and being moved from house to house with me. I hadn't really thought about this girl that I sold the dress to until yesterday when the topic of weddings were brought up in a meeting. Her brother-in-law happen to be in the meeting so I asked if he had any photos of her wedding. That dress is cursed. Apparently the guy she was engaged to went a little crazy and the wedding was called off shortly before they were to be married. SAME thing happen to me with that dress. I feel bad that I sold the dress and the bad spirit followed with it. I truly believe that my Heavenly Father was looking out for me when my first engagement didn't turn out as expected. I hope the same for this girl. My life is so blessed and I am so thankful that I married to Michael. He is an amazing father and even better best friend. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the same blessing will find its way to this girl who bought the dress.

FINALLY more pics of Remingtons' birthday

Do they come any better than this?

We are so in love with our little boy! These pictures were taken by my friend Channing a few weeks ago. Channing is 7 months pregnant--what a trooper to still come out and take photos of our little man.

Remington being 2 is going to be so much fun for us this year. His personality is unforgetable and he is starting to get smarter than his mom and dad. Once he gets potty trained we will put him in Challenger, a private pre-school that is known for its excellent academics. I believe his cousin Zoe is going to start there soon as well. The other night Remington started counting to 10 in spanish--just out of the blue! Michael is trying to teach him to count in Thai.

We love our little boy who is surely going to be a man before we know it! I just hope he doesn't grow up too fast because that will mean I will have to have another baby!

My Boys!