Congrats to the Carlsons!

While Sara was visiting, we packed our schedule full of fun activities, girls outings, and play dates. We included Erika in all our fun plans not expecting her to attend anything with a baby due at any minute. But to our surprise Erika was at the girls night out and baby play date. The new one wanted to give her some last minute fun with her friends, thanks Caroline! And congrats to pround parents and big sis!

Curious Girls go to the Zoo

Alli and Sara were in town for the Labor Day holiday and we toted Alli around to all of the hot spots. Back in the day Madhatters would have been considered our hangout but these days the Zoo seems more fitting. And boy oh boy were we not disappointed! We created our own zoo highlights tour which included the animal farm, tigers, lions, monkeys, and pandas. But we had two ah ha moments on our adventure. One included my National Geographic moment where we saw the latest addition to the zoo, the baby Gorilla. Then the most exciting part of our day was the O-Walk, we actually got to see the Orangutans use the rope swings that hang above the park. They really put on a good show! And to top off the day, we all of got the cutest little lunch bags that resembled our favorite zoo characters.

Sink or Swim

We avoided being shipwrecked on Gilligans Island but boy did I have my fears at the start of our journey! We went down to the boat on Sunday to sail it over to the marina for a makeover but when the motor stalled heading out of the slip I was rethinking if I wanted to be on the boat or chase car that was meeting us on the other end?!?! I survived the high seas and the pay off was great...yummy hard crabs!!!

Hurricane Bill

We didn't let Hurricane Bill dampen our spirits this weekend! We ventured out on Friday night to see Carbon Leaf at Wolf Trap even with the severe thunderstorm warnings in effect. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of going to Wolf Trap it's one of the only places that still allows you to bring your own food and drink into the venue to picnic and enjoy. Yes, this is an outside venue so you can image what the night had in store for us. Miraculously we stayed relatively dry and we owe it all to the worlds largest and greatest tarp! We originally brought it in case the ground was wet but it quickly turned into a tent for protection from the storms. The night was a blast regardless. As you can see the rain didn't prevent us from being groupies =)


After surviving several down pours at Wolf Trap on Friday evening we thought better of going out on Saturday. Instead we stayed home and threw a Hurricane Party. It basically meant a comfy evening staying dry on the couch but accessorized with fun fruity Hurricane drinks. We used the official Pat O'Brien mix and boy oh boy are those suckers strong!!! Cheers to Hurricane Bill!

1000 Islands

We're so ready to retire and just found the perfect place to do just that! We headed up north for Nick and Nancy's wedding in the Thousand Islands and were exposed to all the wonders of River life. The weekend started off with a golf tournament. We so thought we would be the winners since we were paired up with the groom and best man but the locals came in as the ringers. The weekend continued with boat tours and pirates. Yes that's what I said pirates.


It was Pirates Festival down in Alexander Bay and we say all the real life Jack Sparrows. We took a cruise out of the bay that took us into international waters and showed us what Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous looks like. We saw cottages (aka mansions) that were built on their own individual islands. One even had their own bridge connecting their Canadian island to their US island. Maybe one day we'll be so lucky =) Anyways the weekend came to a picture perfect ending when the bride and groom arrived at the reception in style via boat, congrats N&N!

Coast Guard Festival

As Hood family tradition goes, another Coast Guard Festival another excuse to party! Hence why the Johnsons are adoptive kids every August. We headed up to Grand Haven for all the festivites and we're not disappointed. We spent a week with the Bennetts enjoying some sun and fun. Pat (Amy's dad) and Shaun might have gone beer for beer but he certainly schooled Shaun when it came to ladder ball. I think next year we'll call a rematch and bring cornhole with us. Advantage Shaun!

Reagan Rockin the Fohawk!

and making a move for the blue mountains

Wedded Bliss

That's right, yesterday was our 1st Anniversary, boy does time fly! Speaking of fly, that's how we decided to spend our anniversary. We documented our 1st "Paper" Anniversary with a Certificate of Flight. We headed down to Charlottesville, VA for a weekend away and enjoyed a hot air balloon ride, gorgeous scenery and tasty wineries. If we have one recommendation to share with wine lovers it would definitely be to visit Thomas Jefferson's winery. I consider myself a wine snob after living in California and making it my job to hit as many wineries as possible in Santa Barbara, Temecula, Sonoma and Napa and never have I liked all the wines on the tasting menu before. It was just Phenomenal! Maybe I was just loved up on my hubby and anniversary weekend but I wouldn't have changed a thing!