Visit to Maryland

We went to see Kate's father the following week up in Maryland. We had worked out this trip a few months ago when we heard that the Fritz kids from the other side of the family were going to visit. We decided to make it a mini family reunion.

It was also Chelles birthday, so it was a built in excuse to have a party. So good to see everyone from that side of the family - haven't seen them since 2009? Or 08?

I got in a round and a half of golf with Tim (father in law), Skip (Tim's brother) and Chelle. (Skips daughter). I learned a lot and did better than I thought I would. I may take it up as a hobby and work on my swing to refine it.

We had a party that evening with some great flank steak and just about every other type of food you could imagine. It was quite a spread! Some good food!

We also broke in the new bar downstairs in the basement. Tim has been remodeling it for some time. During which he had a heart attack and helped up with our bathroom remodel project. But it's finally done and it turned out great. We actually laid down the cherry wood bar top the first night there. It it beautiful!

We walked around the back yard (huge) and let the kids explore. We found a walnut tree that was dropping its fruit, so we chucked those around, of course.

It was too cold to go for a swim, otherwise we would have done that. 

We left mid day on Sunday and headed back. It was a great visit but it was nice to get home too!

Our New Addition

We brought back the piano from Kathleen's! I rented a U-Haul trailer (the people were really helpful and nice at the hardware store in Goose Creek) and brought it back so we could load it up. It was heavy! But I strapped it down and it was secured well for the trip.

I was careful to drive carefully on the way back and was vigilant about tires and loose trailers. No problems, so I was very relieved when we got back, safe and sound. I unloaded it that evening with Kate's help and we had it in the garage for a few days so I could clean it real good.

I moved it up the stairs with the help of my next door neighbor, Ponch, and into the living room. It was one heavy mother for sure. Just glad it's over and it's in the house.

We signed Jack up for lessons beginning this Thursday. I want to learn too!

Visit to South Carolina

We set out a few weeks ago to visit grandma Witchey and Tino for a weekend visit. On the way down we got a flat on 95 just across the border into SC. Nothing says welcome like a flat tire. Good thing we had a warning system that alerted me to the air pressure loss. We drove around for a few minutes in a slight panic trying to find someone who would/could change and repair a flat. That tire was hissing so I knew we only had minutes before I had to go the extra step of getting a tow. Luckily we found a guy and he was gracious enough to repair it for us and put it back on. He only charged us $15  so I asked him to run my card again so he could have a tip for being so quick.

Only lost an hour and got back on the road and made it to Goose Creek an hour later. Had a great dinner and a beer. Grandma W and Tino looked good and the front lawn was lush. They had it sodded a while ago and it looked great.

The next day we went to the Aquarium and enjoyed all the stuff there. Always a good time at the aquarium. I liked petting the rays and seeing the sea turtles. I got close to the Eagle and took a quick pic. the kids loved seeing the otters, they are such clowns. the big aquarium room is really cool, so its a nice place to sit and relax for a few minutes. We got our requisite pic of the kids sitting with the frog out back ( a statue). We also went to the deli and ate some good deli food.

The next day we hd a good breakfast and hit the road back home. A short and sweet visit! I stopped by U-Haul that morning so we could bring something special home with us. I was careful bringing it back.