Month in Review :: July 2009

Friday, July 31, 2009 11:59 PM Louie Prete

July was vacation month. We took a family vacation to the Sunset Beach for a week, went to Clemson for two days and the boys went to the North Carolina mountains to visit Santa Land in a special two day trip with Bupka. Plus two trips to Columbia. First to go to the Zoo and second a play day at Leapin’ Lizards.

	Sunset Beach – We started the month off with a BANG! An entire week at the beach beginning on Independence day. The trip was excellent. There were a number of firsts that occurred during our vacation. Louie & Matt both learned to ride their bikes with out training wheels, Louie got his first loose tooth (although he still hasn’t lost it yet) and Sarah went from HATING the sand to learning to love it. Like any vacation we were quite prolific with the photo taking. Photo Links Independence Day Sunset Beach Bikes and Family Chillin' at the Beach The Kindred Spirit Sarah Enjoying the Beach Lou’s 35th Birthday Beach Party In addition to the photos, we blogged about several events that occurred at the beach. Gotta love technology, had wireless internet in our beach house. Blog Links Sarah’s First Beach Trip Another Day at the Beach, Another First Once you Learn you Never Forget Learning to Like the Sand Once You Learn, You Never Forget (Part 2)
	Matt went on his first fishing trip. He was quite the trooper. He sat patiently for over an hour never complained once, but the one time he got up is when we got our only bite. Unfortunately, by the time I got him back to his pole, the fish had gotten away with his worm. Louie did well too. He had fun even though he didn’t get a single bite all day.
	We re-introduced Sarah to Bear. She was quite taken with him, but a little disappointed that he wouldn’t get up an play with her. This turned out to be a very interesting visit. I threw out my back just before we got in the car to head to Clemson, and by the time we got there I was walking around alike an old man. Ended up finally decided that I should go to the urgent care center in Clemson. The nice doctor there gave me enough strong meds that I was able to enjoy the rest of the weekend.
	We spent our 11th Anniversary showing the kids around Clemson. Which was exactly what we wanted to do. While my back was still not 100% we were able to enjoy the day and the kids had a blast too. Played soccer on Bowman Field, had lunch at TDs, and rode our bikes at Clemson House. The best part was that because I was on drugs I couldn’t drive home. On the way home, Jenny missed a turn and we had to go all the way to Columbia to get home. I guess I won’t be hearing anything about all the times I missed any of a number of turns coming home from Clemson any time soon.
	Bupka took the kids to Santa Land. This was an interesting trip. Originally it was planned that she would take Louie to Cleveland to go to Memphis Kiddie Park once more before he gets to big. But, Cleveland is a long way away for just going to the kiddie park, so we found Santa Land which is in the North Carolina mountains. I do think it is interesting that she let the boys drive cars again.
	On day two of their trip to the mountains they went to see: motorcycles, Indians, a buffalo, tepees, an a waterfall. The also got their faces painted (Louie finally got his face painted like an eagle, after a failed earlier attempt), and they came home with guns, bows & arrows, and an Indian head dress. I think they had fun.
	As if all this weren’t enough we took the kids to Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. “It was worth the HOT!” is the blog post we wrote about the day. It is certainly worth a read.
	And just for good measure we threw in a trip to Leapin' Lizards. Whew!
	Sadly, this month we said good bye to Spotty Dotty. Spotty Dotty joined us nearly 3 years ago on Louie’s 4th birthday. He was quite an amazing fish who survived a near death experience last summer, and out lived no less then 10 tank mates. Louie is already planning his next aquarium experiment, breeding guppies!
	Well that is about it…there were a few random pictures taken this month. A Day at the Pool with Anna Pound Cake Sarah Being Cute Pickle Girl Family Or if you prefer you can just browse photos from the entire month of July.