2013

Hello, friends.  I seem to have hit a wall when it comes to blogging.  I have felt less than inspired, but I think down the road I will enjoy looking back at the blog, so I am going to give it a go again.  2013 was a year full of ups (sometimes very temporary ups) and our large share of downs.  Frankly, she was a bitch and we were very glad to see her go.  Greg and I are very much looking forward to what 2014 has in store for us.

We did a good amount of traveling in 2013:

We spent a long weekend in Washington DC.  We stayed with one of my very best friends, we went to 2 Braves v. Nationals baseball games, we saw several of the monuments and went to several museums. It was Greg's first time to visit DC, so we crammed in as much as we could in the short weekend visit.  We are actually looking forward to going back this summer to visit my friend, and some of our other friends will be there for the summer.

Our biggest vacation of the year was our trip to Chicago to visit Scott and Kathleen.  We did a longer visit there than the one in DC.  We had such a great time seeing our friends!  We went to a Cubs game, we ate amazing food, we did some sightseeing, and most of all we just enjoyed the time with Scott and Kathleen.  They are coming to see us in a month, so we are really excited about their visit!!

We had a lot happen with our jobs in 2013: 

In January, Greg got a job offer from a State Farm agent.  That job ended up not working out at all.  The agent was unprepared when it came to how to effectively run an agency, and he ended up having to let Greg go because he hadn't budgeted his money well and he couldn't afford to keep Greg on.  Even though that was a very crappy situation, there is a positive.  That agent paid for Greg to take all of his insurance exams, which prepared him to look for another job in the insurance industry.

Within a week of being let go from State Farm, Greg interviewed and was offered another job.  This time he was hired by an Allstate agent that has been in the business for a long time.  He clearly knew how to run an agency, and so we felt good about Greg taking that position.  This job has turned out to be a really great situation for Greg.  His co-workers are amazing, and it seems like this is something that Greg feels comfortable doing long-term.  I am so happy that Greg ended up with this agency, it has been such a blessing for us.

Greg isn't the only one that had changes this year as far as his job.  Luckily, I didn't have the stress of having to find a new job like he did... But, another little guy was born into the family that I nanny for!  So, my job has gone from looking like the top picture to the bottom picture.  The transition has gone REALLY well.  Both of these boys are wonderful, and I feel so lucky to be a part of their little lives. 

We had a few visitors come in 2013: 

Greg's family came for about 5 days in March.  It was a really nice visit.  We took them out to eat at a couple of our favorite restaurants, we went to a Carolina Hurricanes game, and I took them over to Nasher (the art museum in Durham).

In May, my parents came for a visit.  We had a lot of fun when they were here.  We took them to a brewery tour, Duke gardens, we took them to some of our favorite restaurants, and we grilled an amazing meal at home.  

We began to explore, and fall more in love with Durham in 2013:

Back in the spring, Greg and I made the decision to start exploring all the local jewels that Durham has to offer.  We've been trying new restaurants, new local breweries, and a lot of of other things that in Durham.  It has been SO much fun.  We have found amazing local food, delicious local beers, and tons of local events that we love being apart of.  It seems like our love affair with Durham is going strong.

Geer Street is one of our favorite local restaurants downtown

FullSteam is a great brewery downtown

We love Durham Central Park.  From the Farmers Market to movies on summer nights to food truck rodeos... We love lots of stuff that they have going on down there.

We've been going to the Farmer's Market weekly

This is from the Cajun beer and bourbon festival last spring

Triangle Brewing is one of Greg's favorite local brews.  This is a picture from the brewery tour that we did when Mom and dad came to visit.  They've actually opened a bar/restaurant/pub downtown that is great.

Infront of the Lucky Strike tower at Christmas

This is Greg's favorite new local restaurant

Greg surprised me with season tickets to the Broadway series at DPAC and it has been one of my favorite things that we have done all year.  It's been a special thing for us to do together every month

Here's us at the DPAC for our first show, Beauty and the Beast

I couldn't possibly give you a run down of the entire year in a blog post, and I wouldn't want to.  This is a good highlight from 2013, and we are so excited to see what 2014 has in store for us.  

"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward."

- Martin Luther King Jr. 

Visiting Alabama

Towards the end of July, I went home to visit my family and go to my cousin's wedding.  It was a really nice long weekend in AL.  I got to spend a ton of time with my sweet nephew, which was so much fun!  Justin, Mom and I went to check out the Children's Hands-On Museum in Tuscaloosa.  We ate some great food in Tuscaloosa.  We went up to Birmingham for my cousin's wedding, and I got to spend some quality time with my brothers and their significant others.  Overall, I'd say it was a great trip!  I really enjoyed the visit home, although it felt a little short (as always).  Here's some pictures... Enjoy!

Justin and Mom picked me up from the airport

Mom and Justin at CHOM

Justin being a total cutie at CHOM

I loved the quality time with Justin!

The formal shot of our family at the wedding

This could be one of my all-time favorites of our family.  We are silly.

4th of July

We were able to drive down to visit Greg's parents over the 4th of July because we found out that Greg's office would be closed on July 4th and 5th.  We were really excited about making this trip because we were finally going to meet our new niece, Molly!  We drove down after Greg got off of work on July 3rd, and it went smoothly.  We actually made really good time and got there before midnight.  Unfortunately, it rained the entire time that we were there!

It was so nice to spend time with Greg's family.  We went and saw a movie, grilled out, Greg and his dad played golf, and we all enjoyed just hanging out.  I was glad that we were able to go to church on Sunday at Ralph's church before we headed home.  Traffic was awful when we were driving home, but I think we both expected that.  I'm so happy that we made the trip down, and I can't wait to see Miss Molly again!

Greg and Molly!  She is the cutest! 

Greg's mom, Molly, and Bailey.  Molly loves her Nana!

We sat in traffic forever on our way home!  I saw this rainbow while we were stuck outside of Greensboro, NC and thought it was pretty.  You can't see it very well, but I was excited about it so I took a picture- ha!

Memorial Day Visitors!

Mom and Dad came to visit us over Memorial day weekend.  It was SO nice to see them and show them around Durham.  I feel like this is a common theme... We love having people come visit Durham, so that we can show them why we love it so much!  We had a really great  visit!

They arrived late Friday night, so we basically just said hello and went to bed.

Saturday morning we got up to go to the Farmer's Market and Mom decided she'd join us.  We had to get a good amount of stuff that week, and so I feel like Mom got the whole experience!  We also got breakfast from the food trucks, and it was delicious!  We weren't able to spend as much time as we wanted at the market that morning because Greg and I had to take the dogs to a vet appointment at 10am.  After Greg and I got home with the dogs, we decided to take Mom and Dad to Greg's favorite local brewery, Triable Brewing Company, for a tour.  The experience was a lot of fun, it was interesting to hear about the brewing process, and of course, it was fun to sample all the beers.

Triangle Brewing Company 

Dad and Greg were clearly excited about the Brewery Tour

 Mom and I during the Brewery Tour

Saturday night, we had to take them over to Lily's Pizza.  We take everyone who comes to visit us to eat here because it's our favorite local pizza place.  After dinner, I wanted to take Mom and Dad over to check out the new fondue place that opened downtown, and I thought it would be a fun to do chocolate fondue for dessert.  It was delicious!

Sunday, we got up and went to church.  We had lunch at the house, and then headed over to Duke Gardens for the afternoon.  It was fun to walk around and spend some time outside.  We took it easy that night, ate at home, and just hung out together that night.

Greg, Penni, and I at Duke Gardens

Monday, Mom and I went shopping while Greg and dad hung out at the house grilling lunch.  On our way home, we stopped at Harris Teeter to figure out what we wanted to do for dinner.  We ended up getting steaks, shrimp, zucchini, squash, corn, and baked potatoes.  It was so much food, but it was all delicious!

We are so happy that Mom and Dad were able to come up and visit!  We look forward to when they make another trip!

Visit from the Barrows

Greg's parents came up to visit a couple of weeks ago.  It was great to have them!  The timing of their trip was actually really good because I happened to have most of that week off, so I was able to be around while Greg was working.  We had a really good time while they were here!  We love just really love when people come visit, so that we can show them all the reasons that we love Durham.

I took them over to Nasher Museum of Art over on Duke's campus.  It was really neat.  I hadn't been there before, and I think that we all enjoyed it.  They had an exhibit on photography and different types of exposure that photographers use to get the look that they want in their photographs.  We also walked through the section where they have pieces from their permanent collection.  We saw an Andy Warhol photo in the photography section, and I spent the longest time staring at a Picasso in their permanent collection.  Afterwards, I took them by one of my favorite local restaurants, Foster's Market, to grab sandwiches.

We also took them to our favorite, local pizza place, Lily's Pizza.  Of course, it was amazing.  I have to tell you about this salad that they have there.  It's a roasted pear salad with a pear vinaigrette.  The salad is a bed of mixed greens, roasted pears stuffed with blue cheese, toasted almonds, and homemade croutons. It is to die for... So delicious!

Thursday night after Greg got home from work, we went to the Carolina Hurricane's NHL game in Raleigh.  I love going to watch hockey.  It's so much more entertaining in person than it is on TV.  It is such a fun environment and the fans are wild!

Friday morning, I had a bunch of errands to run, so I suggested that Ralph and Linda over to Duke Gardens.  I wish that it had been warmer because Linda said nothing much had started blooming.  I told her that she'd just have to come back in the spring to see everything.  We went last year in May and it was gorgeous.

Overall, it was a really good visit and Greg and I were so happy that they were able to come visit!

Christmas 2012

Hi!  Greg and I were lucky enough to have a lot of time off at Christmas.  We were gone from Durham for 11 days, and we were able to actually really enjoy time with our families instead of constantly having to worry about leaving for the next place.  We left for Alabama on Friday afternoon before Christmas.

Greg had to work until 3:00 on Friday, and I got home 2 hours before that.  I ended up packing the car, and I am so proud of myself!  Being married to a Barrow has taught me how to pack a car!

The drive was pretty uneventful except for some traffic in Charlotte.  I don't know why, but it always makes me happy when I get a picture of the AL sign as we drive in.  I don't know why I get so excited because we still have to drive a bit get over to Tuscaloosa.  We ended up arriving a little after midnight.

We stayed up talking with my parents until around 2 am.  The next morning, the dogs decided it was time to get up at 6!  So, I got up to let them out, made the coffee and sat down to relax before everyone else got up.  Ben and Alicia came down that morning to do gifts, and it was so good to get to spend some time with them!

My sweet  nephew, Justin, was at Mom and Dad's house.  I absolutely loved being able to spend so much time with Justin while we were in Tuscaloosa.  He is the cutest!

Saturday night, Greg and I were able to go to Birmingham to meet some friends.  I am so glad that we were able to see so many people in such a quick visit.  I am pretty mad at myself for not getting a picture with everyone!  I loved being able to catch up with Mary and Lauren.  I really miss them throughout the year.  

Although I am frustrated with not getting a picture of the entire group on Saturday... I am so glad that I thought to get a picture of Greg and I.  I never ever remember to take pictures when we do things.

We had an extended family Christmas on Sunday with my Mom's sister and her children.  It is so much fun to get together with everyone.  Last year was the first time that we have done that since my grandma died, and it has been really great.  After my cousins and Aunt headed home, we did presents with Mom, Dad, Guy, Andrea, and Justin.  This picture makes me laugh because Greg had just opened a baseball hat and put it on, and Justin was totally checking him out.  So funny!

I don't know about you... but one of my favorite Christmas traditions is watching Christmas Vacation.  

Here's a picture of me sporting my new PJ pants, house shoes, and old lady fleece robe.  

Mom and Greg's Christmas Eve tradition is to watch It's a Wonderful Life.  Dad and I tolerate it.  ha!

Here's a picture of us on Christmas morning.  We were literally about to walk out of the door when Mom made us go pose by the Christmas tree.  Not the best picture, but I'm glad we have it.

Unfortunately there was a pretty significant chance of severe weather on Christmas day.  We had originally planned to drive over to Clanton to do Christmas with Greg's family, and then drive on to Roanoke to stay with Greg's parents for a few days.  Greg's sister decided that we should just postpone the family Christmas until the next day since we didn't know what the weather was going to do.  So, we had to leave Tuscaloosa a little earlier than we had planned and went straight to Roanoke.  

Christmas night we just relaxed with Greg's parents.  We did presents, and then played an intense game of Scrabble.  You can just call me the dog whisperer because somehow I always end up with all the dogs in my lap.  

The day after Christmas we drove over to Clanton to do Christmas with Greg's grandmother, sister, her husband, and kiddos.  Grandmother asked Greg to read her a story from a magazine, and I thought it was too sweet not to snap a picture.  

Linda's dog is a hoot.  She was playing some Christmas music on the piano and he hopped right up there while she was playing.  Too funny!

We left Roanoke on Saturday to go to Atlanta.  I am irritated at myself that I didn't get any pictures of this!  We went by to see Greg's cousins and his aunt and uncle.  It was wonderful to see everyone, and we had a great time catching up with them.  They also made an incredible dinner of shrimp & grits and Brunswick stew.  After we visited with everyone, we headed to the suburbs of Atlanta to stay with our friends for a couple of nights.  We had not seen Brad and Maria in over a year, so we really enjoyed being able to spend time with them before heading home on Monday.  Maria got some pictures with her camera, so hopefully I can add those soon.  

We headed home Monday, and I know that the dogs were so glad to finally get here.  Hershee is a nervous wreck in the car.  She pants the entire time.  Once we arrived home she fell fast asleep and I think if we hadn't moved, she would have slept until today.  Penni is the total opposite of Hershee.  She just lays down and totally relaxes during the drive.  

Overall, I would say that it was a great visit.  I am so glad that we were able to see so many of our friends, and our entire family.  I am thankful for all the time that we got to spend with them.  It was a wonderful Christmas break!  I hope that you guys had a wonderful Christmas too!  Much love!