Monday, December 29, 2008

2009- WE MADE IT

Yes, it is sad when you are only able to provide two entries in the calendar year... however, anyone who knows us, knows we have been grumpy trying to survive 2008. There were highlights... the arrival of PSK5, aka Chappy... the marriage of Sassy and Crog.... anything Ellis says and does! In addition to embracing my "skinny bitch" and being nicer to Paul, I promise to do a better job of posting the updates and adventures of Ellis and Chap. Happy New Year!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Ellis & Chap Go South








On June 14, the PSK4s headed south... a typical 12 hour trip lasted over 17 hours and we pulled into the Good Life City aka Albany, GA a little after 2am. Over the week we celebrated Father's Day, Ellis' 3rd birthday (Backyardigans style), P4's 35th birthday, and Chappy's baptism. We were thrilled to have our friends Heather Kowalski (Aunt Sassy), Chris and Kim Frank (Uncle Frach and Aunt Kim) and their children Brenden and Sean join us for Paul's birthday and for the Christening.

For Paul's birthday he requested a BBQ so we started the first annual Rib Throwdown with Papa Charlie- the BBQ King of Georgia- verses Paul 4 - the Natural Born Griller. In a blind tasting, the Natural Born Griller won by one vote. Sorry Papa Charlie!

This week Ellis had swim lessons with Miss Duster. These lessons are not for the faint of heart and after the first day I was not sure I could take her back. She cried every day for the half hour lesson but at the end of four days she could swim the length of the pool in goggles and fins. She then spent the following week in Pop's pool in Sarasota - literally IN the pool.

Chappy's christening was June 21st and we were thrilled to have so many family members present. Mimis and Papa Charlie graciously hosted our friends and a lovely lunch at the club. Our family priest, Father Fred, joined us from Macon and we had relatives from Atlanta, Decatur, and Pop made the trip from Sarasota. We held the baptism at the Old St. Teresa's Church where Papa Charlie was baptized. It was a wonderful ceremony and we were so grateful to have family and friends there to share the special day with us.


The following day we headed to Sarasota to spend a few days with Paul's family- our friends from Dallas also joined us. The Klick 3s just finished a renovation on their home and it looks terrific. Uncle William has a new room - very cool! - and Pop has a new grilling area/patio. We spent the majority of our time by the pool (swimming or watching Pop cook steaks/fish/chicken on his new toy) and Captain Cactus Pop took all of us on a boat adventure. Uncle William was very busy with camp during our visit, and we were fortunate to watch his muscles grow every day and to see him working on walking. GO UNCLE WILLIAM!!!! Our last day, Ellis, Chap and I spent the morning at Mote Aquarium petting sting rays and admiring hammerhead sharks and turtles. Ellis was dying to pet a dolphin but no such luck...

After a return trip to Albany to pick up Pilgrim and a final golf cart ride/fish feeding trip, we headed back to Virginia.