Monday, March 5, 2018

Cancun, Mexico 2018

Mom & Dad took a trip to Cancun, Mexico for 5 days with their friends, to celebrate Miss Kari’s 40th birthday! What an awesome time they had!

Miss Sara showed up at the airport ready for a Fiesta!

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Flying is even more fun with good friends!

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When they got to the customs area in Mexico, there were THOUSANDS of people in line, but after the long wait, they got that stamp in their passport, and they were more than ready to head to the resort!

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They stayed at the Now Jade Riviera… It was a beautiful all-inclusive resort!

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Their view from the balcony was beautiful, and they both loved having their morning coffee and reading out there!

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Dinner the first night with everyone was awesome at Capers, the Italian restaurant at the resort.

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The first day started out with a little pool time, until quite a big storm blew through…

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They still enjoyed good food with friends, while they waited for it to blow over…

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Luckily, they were able to get back to the pool, but by the look of their friends when they arrived, Mom & Dad were glad they had stayed in the room and read for a while!

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Mr. Dean and Miss Ashley were not up for dinner that night after being at the pool a bit too long, but everyone else got dressed up to go out and celebrate Miss Kari’s big birthday at the Asian restaurant!

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They even did a little shopping first in the Mexican market that they set up at the hotel!

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Waiting for a dinner reservation for 10 was long that night, but they found things to keep them busy!

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Happy birthday Miss Kari!!!!!

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The next morning, Mom and Dad ordered a big breakfast with room service before heading out for their big excursion day!

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After they were good an full, they signed their lives away and headed out to the Mexican jungle on this crazy bus to go explore the beautiful Cenotes (natural sinkholes & caves) throughout the area!

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They made 4 adventurous stops at different Cenotes where they zip lined into the water, kayaked, snorkeled, repelled into a cave, rode down a water slide, swam through the ravines & jumped off cliffs! It was crazy, but they had so much fun!

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After a full day of adventure, they met back up with their sun-soaked and dehydrated friends for an awesome Mexican dinner! Matt and Dean were introduced to the chef, and we got some wonderful treatment!

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The next day was their full day to relax by the pool, take walks on the beach, read their books & visit with friends!

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They got dressed up one more time for one more meal all together before leaving the next day…

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The memories from this time were AWESOME, and we can’t wait to go with them next time! Mom said she’ll miss the view from her morning coffee spot, but she’s glad to be home…

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Meanwhile back home, Mor-Mor had so much fun with us doing a “Miss Manners” tea party, getting us ready for picture day, and taking us out for ice cream. Thank you Mor-Mor!

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I’m reading!

I’m doing an awesome job at my sight words these days, and am reading books like crazy! I LOVE reading!

-Ben

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Thursday, February 8, 2018

It’s cooking competition time!

Mom & Dad were so excited to go to our neighbor’s, Chef Dean’s, cooking competition! The first night, they went with their friends, Kari & Curry, and got to dine on an amazing meal with the secret ingredients of Chayote Squash, Duck & Blood Orange! Mr. Dean crushed the competition, and got to move onto the next 2 rounds! Mom & Dad got tickets to the final competition to see him win too, but unfortunately, Ben got the flu that day, so Dad got to go and celebrate with Abby instead. We texted Mom the whole night though so she could see what was happening! They had an amazing meal with Parsnips, Flounder & Passion Fruit. Can you believe that Mr. Dean won the whole thing?!?!?!?! Check out what he won!

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Night one:
Appetizer: Chayote Squash & Sweet Potato Soup (Black Bean Cake, Corn & Chayote Relish, Blood Orange Vinaigrette, Cilantro Pistou)
Entree: Duck Two Ways (Coriander and Orange Duck Breast, Confit Duck Leg, Blood Orange-Soy Drizzle, Braised Collard Greens, Ginger Carrot Grits, Chayote Salad, Toasted Sesame)
Dessert: Chayote Squash Cake (Dark Chocolate Mousse, Blood Orange- Strawberry Sorbet, Almond & Caramelized White Chocolate Crumble, Brandied Butterscotch)

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Final night:
Appetizer: Parsnip Ravioli (Smoked Pomodoro, Roasted Mushroom, Sweetened Parsnip Chip, Goat Cheese & Passion Fruit Pistou)
Entree: Southern Fried Flounder (“Dirty Chorizo Risotto, Passion Fruit & Parsnip Slaw, Passion Fruit Aioli, Pickled Mustard Seed)
Dessert: Parsnip Snickers Torte (Peanut Butter, Chocolate Mousse, Chopped Nuts & Parsnip Ice Cream)

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Congratulations Mr. Dean!

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Happy birthday Abby!

I’ve been so excited for my luau-themed eleventh birthday party sleepover! I had a blast with friends having dinner, making summer flip flops, playing games, watching movies, and having lots of girl talk! Thank you to everyone who celebrated with me!

-Abigail

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I started my morning with hot cinnamon rolls and some presents!

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Mom brought me Chick-Fil-A for lunch at school, and we handed out cupcakes to my friends!

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We had neighbors and friends over for a pizza luau party in February! We’re ready for summer here!

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We decorated some fun summer flip flops!

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We also pained nails and did fun emoji face masks!

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I got a super awesome cake from Cold Stone Creamery, and it was a hit! Thank you everyone for celebrating with me!

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NCSU Sophomore Year Move-In Day!

It's hard to believe that summer is already coming to a close, and it's move in day at NCSU for Abby already! For her sophomore year...