Let's take a trip

One of the days last week ended up being a snow day, so we decided to make Chris a cake (since he'd been giving me completely obvious hints).  David helped, and we tried our hardest not to get batter everywhere.  Well, some of us tried
Nothing beats the batter
Dude, I think you got just about all of it...
...on yourself.
Interesting bubble lines in an empty bottle of Sam Adams Old Fezziwig Ale
We tried to re-create the magic that was Chris's birthday cake, but this time with more trucks and more flames.  And more mess.  But less crisis in the grocery store, so that was worth it
Seeing these curly icicles as we drove past the first time reminded me that I'd left the camera sitting on the bed as we left for the airport.  Seeing them the second time, I was able to grab a few shots.  Watch out below
Does he look happy?  No?  Maybe that's because we were delayed getting out of Indy, missed our connecting flight in Charlotte, were put on a later flight that then got canceled as we were ready to board, and were finally re-routed to Myrtle Beach (instead of Wilmington).  It was an awesome trip.  And then they lost our luggage
It <i>would</i> snow in North Carolina the weekend we were all trying to get there
Aunt Sara said she wanted to wrestle, so they wrestled
It's all fun and games until someone either gts kicked in the crotch or put in a head lock
Sunday, Emily headed to Raleigh to stay for a few days with Karen and Alan.  They were cool, I guess, but <i>here's</i> the real reason why she came: Benjamin Alan Booth.  What a sweetie!
Quit taking my picture, lady.  Can you not see that I'm busy flailing?!
Quiet and alert
Do you know how much I love this baby?
Quiet and asleep
Nibbler (one of the three dethroned Booth cats) tries to groom without getting a hairball
You get that camera outta my face, lady, or <i>else</i>
Although you might not <i>think</i> he looks too terribly impressed with the Very Hungry Caterpillar, he actually spent about 20 minutes making a crinkling sound and cooing happily.  He even grabbed some of the tags and beads on it, which is progress for a wee babe!
Everyone gets a bottle.  To each his own
Karen loves her little ginger baby
His cheeks were all rosy because we had just gotten back from the wine store.  Notice the big smile on Karen's face
Back in Holden Beach, there was much yard carnage left after the snow storm, so Cappy and Emily played lumberjacks in the backyard and loaded up the truck with branches
What's that?  We're dragging something?
What's up? I thought we were going to the beach. It was warmer last time.
Nana promised David a winter walk on the beach, but an unexpected injury sidelined her for a few days.  We still managed to get him bundled up and down to see some sand
How foolish was I, thinking he wouldn't get wet, and that his boots would keep the sand out?
What?  Sand on my gloves?  How did that get there?
Summer or winter... throwing sand knows no season
I don't know if he was trying to make sea turtle tracks or what, but this kid was thorough in his sandiness
More birds in more places
We took the ferry to Fort Fisher on Friday to see the Aquarium.  David enjoyed it, even if it was windy and fairly chilly
Of course Mommy was a trooper while she hung out topside with him
This is what you get when you let David hold a camera that weighs half as much as he does
Welcome to the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
They're still pretty cute together, aren't they?
Do not try this at home
The brown fish wanted to see if he had anything for them
The albino alligator was the hot thing to see.  Unfortunately, she was shrouded in mist and humidity
Emily got a kick out of the FRQs (free-roaming quail)
Caution: golf courses in North Carolina have alligators.  This is why I don't golf
Dude needs to brush his teeth a little more often and get the algae off of them
You'd better believe he was getting crabby
If only you truly knew and appreciated how utterly awesome the octopus is, it would be <i>your</> favorite animal, too, and you wouldn't look at me so weird when I say it's <i>my</i> favorite animal</i>
So, granted I couldn't get him to stand still long enough to get a decent photo, but you can see a shark's eyes reflecting in the background, so that was kind of cool
Leap frog
I was busy Friday evening getting my suitcase packed, and the wicker chest started rattling and shaking.  Would have been cool to know he'd been hiding in there before having a heart attack