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Chris

The Dreaded Binky

Yes those are binkies in the Critters mouths. The funny thing is is that Reese is the only one that still actively utilizes his at nap time and bedtime. The girls just seem to think it is a fun toy to play with now. Oh well, apparently the 'Binky Fairy' will be visiting our house soon, so that means no more binkies for anyone.

Poor Brother.

Chris

St. George Island

I really don't know of a place that I would rather be. Rian, the Critters, and I headed down to St. George a few weeks ago and will be going back over the 4th of July with Grandma B.

We loaded up the car after having some cinnimin rolls and headed South. An hour and a half later we were in paradise. It was a breath of fresh air after our experience at the beach at Bald Point State Park. The sand was clean and the water was sparkling. Unfortunately, we forgot to get a beach umbrella and the sun was beating down on the Critters. As you can probably figure out this is a small problem for Brother, who has rather fair skin. Luckily there was a umbrella rental stand right by where we were. The Critters were now able to seek some shaded relief.

While Brother's skin may not love being out in the sun, Brother sure does. We couldn't keep him and Hadley away from the water. Carson is still a little skittish of the water but she seemingly creeps closer and closer each time we go to the beach.

I can't wait for the 4th to get here so we can head back down. Hmm, maybe we will go this Sunday. That seems like a great plan.

Here are a few pics from the beach:

Broman sporting his 'Risky Business' shades.

CarCar giving a big smile.

Haddie with her fashionista shades, which have since gone MIA.

A view from our spot.

The Critters cooling off in the shade.

Chris

Dad's Day

Not too much to report about Father's Day. It was a nice, quiet, relaxing day, with a little bit of yard work sprinkled in.

Here are a few pics from the day:

Broman and me.

Rian and the girls in their matching Lilly (Multi Zinni Print, for those interested).

Chris
Happy Father's day to all of the dads out there.

Why Having a Toddler is Like Being at a Frat* Party

I have had numerous people forward me this blog post but I have never reposted it. It is quite a humorous comparison of raising a (many) toddler[s] and a fraternity party. The original blog post can be found here.

Here is the list:

10. There are half-full, brightly-colored plastic cups on the floor in every room. Three are in the bathtub.

9. There's always that one girl, bawling her eyes out in a corner.

8. It's best not to assume that the person closest to you has any control over their digestive function.

7. You sneak off to the bathroom knowing that as soon as you sit down, someones going to start banging on the door.

6. Probably 80% of the stains on the furniture contain DNA.

5. You've got someone in your face at 3 a.m. looking for a drink.

4. There's definitely going to be a fight.

3. You're not sure whether anything you're doing is right, you just hope it won't get you arrested.

2. There are crumpled-up underpants everywhere.

1. You wake up wondering exactly how and when the person in bed with you got there.

Your additions?

Chris

*Us Fraterno Americans prefer to use the term 'fraternity' not 'frat' but I wanted to repost in the original format.

Mica-Radcliffe Wedding, Part II

Well, here is good old part two of the wedding post. This post will span the last two days of the Mica-Radcliffe wedding festivity. Once again the morning came all too quick, I guess that is what happens when you stay out a bit late. Reference the last picture of my previous post.

The Critters, Grandmas, Rian and I headed up to Thomasville on Saturday morning for breakfast. It was a beautiful day out and we were able to walk around downtown Thomasville for a little bit. We headed home to get the Critters down and to allow for Rian and I to get ready for the festivities.

We headed over to the church a little early so Rian could score a primo seat, which I think she did. All I can say is 'wow' for the wedding entrance. I have never been to an Anglican wedding, so I don't know if that is how they always are, but wow. Maybe it was the size of the church, but it seemingly got you pumped up for a wedding, kind of like a good marching band before a college football game. Hmm, maybe Mary should have gotten the Marching 100, now that would have been interesting. After the service everyone headed over to the Old Capital for the reception. Luckily, I had one heck of a parking space due to my employment. The reception was a great time, although it may have been trumped by the food. When there are fried green tomatoes on the menu I know I am going to be happy. On top of that they had Magic Hat beer, and to top that they had Magic Hat Single Chair. I hadn't had that since we went on the brewery tour in 2007. Good times.

It was a wonderful reception and everyone definitely appeared to have a great time. As with all good receptions it seemed to go by ridiculously fast. Soon we were wishing the bride and groom best wishes as they whisked out of the Capital.

Throughout the first couple of days I had been hearing rumors of an after party that was to be held at Level 8. Apparently, the rumors were true and we headed over there to extend the night. Have you all seen a theme here? It was a beautiful night to stand out on the balcony there. After a few drinks Rian and I headed home to get a few hours of sleep. After all there was a brunch in a little over eight hours.

The Mica's graciously opened their house for a send off brunch the next morning. Once again the food was outstanding. We were able to visit with Mary and David before they headed off to Italy for their honeymoon. It was truly a great weekend, completely exhausting, but great.

Congrats Mary and David.

Here are more than a few pics from the last two days:

Mary and David.

Cutting the cake.

(Sorry its blurry, we had Rian's camera and I think I maxed out the zoom.)

First Dance action shot. (At least if I say its an action shot it will excuse the blurriness.)

To keep up with the blurry theme, Rian and I.

Jason, Katie, Rian, me, Marcus, and Holly.

Clockwise from top: Salad, cornbread pulled pork sandwich, fried chicken on a stick, fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and mac and cheese.

Erin and Rian.

Grady, Sidney, Adam, Lane, Rian, and I.

Heather and Rian.

Rian and Mary.

@ the Brunch: Pamela, Rian, Mary, and Heather.

Me, Rian, Holly, Heather, and Paul.

Chris

Mica-Radcliffe Wedding, Part I

I think that my body has finally recovered from the previous weekend (all four days). I was rudely reminded that I am no longer 22 and should not see 2am three nights in a row. Not sure what I was thinking but my body said enough is enough on Sunday morning.

It was a truly wonderful four days of wedding celebrations. My coverage of the wedding will be broken up into two parts, mostly because of the sheer number of pictures. It all started on Thursday night with a Fiesta, a little meet and greet at Holly and Marcus's house. The food was excellent and the beer was nice and cold. Aside from the water main break (ie - no running water, yes, that means no toilets, but don't worry Marcus had a Porta Potty delivered) the party went off without a hitch. I don't think that I can possibly describe how excited Rian was due to the fact that her home turf (Winter Park) Congressman (John Mica) was going to be at the party.

After plenty of food and drink we all decided to head to Finnegan's Wake. Now we had the Jeep, with 3 car seats in the back, so Rian and Erin rode up front and I got to enter the car through the hatch lift. After patronizing Finnegan's and The Filling Station, Rian and I headed home. She had a busy day of getting a manicure and pedicure, bridesmaids luncheon, helping Mrs. Mica at the Governor's Club, and rehearsal dinner. Oh, I totally forgot to mention that we had the two best babysitters come into town for the event, Grandma Barbara and Grandma Kate. They were gracious enough to watch the Critters while we attended all of the events.

Friday evening we headed to the Governor's Club for the rehearsal dinner. Dress code was jackets and bow tie for the gentlemen and we did not disappoint. The food was excellent and the speaks even better. Holly and Michael might have taken the cake with their speech/Broadway performance for Mary and David. After the dinner we headed of to the Governor's Club lounge to keep the party going. Are you seeing the theme here, yep it was another late, late night. The GC Lounge told us to leave (no, we didn't get kicked out, the staff just wanted to go home) and we once again headed to Finnegan's. Let me tell you that I haven't seen last call at a bar in some time and this was the second straight night that I closed down a bar. I'll end here and save the next post for the wedding and Sunday brunch.

Here are some shots from the first two days:

Hola!

Mary and Rian.

The Happy Couple @ the Fiesta.

Finnegan's Wake after party.

Bridesmaid's luncheon table setting.

Mary, Pamela, Holly, Erin, Heather, and Rian @ the bridesmaid's luncheon.

Rian and Julianne (David's sister) @ the bridesmaid's luncheon.

Rian and Mary @ the Governor's Club.

Look, no Critters.

The ladies.

The gentlemen, plus Slappey.

The setup.

A gathering of greatminds. Oh yea, notice everyone wearing bow ties.

(Photo courtesy of Heather.)

Paul, Marcus, me, and David @ the Governor's Club Lounge.

Finnegan's. Yea, its about 2:15am. Can you tell?

Chris

Part II coming soon to a blog near you.

The Hen Weekend, er, Bachelorette Party

I have gotten a little behind on the ole posting. A combination of spending Memorial Day weekend in Orlando and Mary and David's wedding celebration this past weekend. Needless to say it was an amazing time.

Rian and the crew headed to Charleston, South Carolina for Mary's Bachelorette Party Memorial Day weekend. I don't have all of the details but I will try my best to relay what I was told. Mary, Rian, Holly, Pamela, and a sleeping Erin piled in Holly's parents Suburban headed on their merry adventure. The first stop was in Beaufort, South Carolina to eat at Wren. Apparently they have the best fish tacos, yet nobody decided to order them. After that they hit the road for their final destination.

After reaching Charleston and meeting up with Julianne, Heather, and Meghan, they hit the town for a little shopping. They had reservations at a restaurant (don't remember the name, I will fill in after consulting with Rian) and had what was described as the best drink ever. All I know is that it had a candied rose petal that Julianne proceeded to eat. After their bellies were full they decided to hit the town. First stop, some bar called The Squeeze. It was apparently constructed in an alley and was very narrow hence the name. After that it was off to a rooftop bar to get their dance on, especially Holly.

The next day consisted of Erin sleeping, and the rest of the crew hitting the town for some sightseeing in a horse drawn carriage. Again they went to dinner, not sure where and then went out for some drinks. For some reason I think they went to the roof top bar again.

The next day they headed home. We later found out that Heather, Rian's bed mate, contracted Strep Throat, but apparently no one else contracted it in the close quarters.

I was told it was a great weekend. Here are a few pics:

Nothing screams roadtrip like Mary with a bottle of Champagne Prosecco and Holly throwing up a gang sign.

Lunch @ Wren.

"The Drink." Not sure what it was, I'll check and give you an update.

Erin, Rian, and Meghan @ The Squeeze.

This takes "taking the dog for a walk" to a whole new level.

Having a glass of what I presume is prosecco.

Dinner the last night.

Brunch the next morning.

Chris