Catch Up Blogging!

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...there was this month called August, in the season of summer, where folks freely bared their arms and legs in the hopes of absorbing lots of vitamin D and wondered what it felt like to not sweat upon stepping outside.

And we went to the beach. And it was glorious. So here are some pictures for your delight and because I'm feeling rather nostalgic for summer weather in the midst of this lovely fall weekend. Don't misunderstand. I love fall just as much as summer. It's just that when summer ends you can look forward to the fall. But when falls ends, old man winter steps in.

And winter and I do not get along. It's a very dysfunctional relationship. This year we're going to try couples' counseling.

The last week in August Brother Bob and family headed down to Ocean Isle Beach and were kind enough to invite Somanna and I to tag along. Of course we said heck yea. A week at the beach with these three little dudes? It's kind of hard to pass up.


Even sister dearest Brittany got to come down and sneak in some quality beach and nephew time.

(By the way, I have no idea what the conversation was when this picture was taken but surely it was scandalous!)

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

As I recall, we didn't do much at the beach except for the things one normally does at the beach.

We played in the sand.

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

I tried to teach Bennett that it's ok to get down n dirty in the sand. It took a little convincing, as evidenced by his willful determination to pack the sand in "neatly."

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

I don't know how successful that lesson was. But the boogie boarding lessons were a BIG hit. Check them out!

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

Even little Bennett got in on the boogie board action. Look at him go! He's only 2 (almost 3)!!

Wheeeeee!!! "Umm excuse me Aunt Beth? It stopped. Now what?"


Wipeout!!

When we weren't out in the Ocean, we hit up the pool....which was freezing as it was covered in the shade most of the day.

Yyyouuuuu ssshooouulldd ggeettt inn Unccllee Shaloooott...the watterrrs fiiinneee. Promisssee!

Apparently children are immune to numbness and tingling because the cold water clearly did not slow these little guys down.

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

Jacques who? I can't hear you because my voice sounds really loud inside my head now.

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

Ok, I'm ready! Why are you laughing at me Aunt Beth?

My nephews are so talented. They get from moi.



Then again they are boys...and a bit weird sometimes. I can't take responsibility for weirdness, only cuteness and levitating skillz.



Which is why we're super excited that Bob & Rosie are having a GIRL this December!!!! Yes ladies and gents, After 5 nephews between my side and Somanna's side, there will finally be a NIECE!

Other beach activities we indulged in included some scenic bike riding and of course, sustainable nourishment.

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

Summer has come and gone.
But pictures like this already have me excited for next beach season.

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

After all, with a view like this how could you not?

From Ocean Isle Vacation 09

**Today's post was brought to you by the letter S and the number 3. Special thanks to Bob & Rosie for having us. We had a great time. And thanks to Brittany, who took the time to come hang out. And thanks most of all to Joe, Jack and Bennett for being so much fun and adorable as always.**

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Happy Birthday Somanna!!

To my better half both on this blog and in life,

Happy, Happy Birthday!!!





P.S. The Kittays wanted to tell you a little somethin, somethin:

They were a little disorganized at first. I had to be all disciplinarian on them and make them get it together....

Freckles kept wondering off because she felt that her left side was her good side and Marshall refused to trade...

But eventually with the help of some old fashioned bribery (cough, treats) they got it together ....sort of.

(Their sign says: Happee Berfday slave, err Daad. Luv Da kittays)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CURRY!!!

Love,

La Familia,

Beth, Freckles and Fatty Patty, err Marshall....

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Catch Up Blogging

So we have some long overdue blogging. Forgive us, but life has been busy in a super fun way. So let's jump right in shall we?

Once upon a time, all the way back in early April, there was this holiday called Easter. With rabbits, eggs and Crucifixions, oh my! We headed to Staunton, Virginia to visit the family and good times of course ensued. The weather was a wee bit chilly, so that kept us indoors a bit more than we would have liked. But the dreary weather didn't stop this wee one from braving the elements.


My self esteem took a beating when I realized that a 2 1/2 year old can outlast me in cold weather. I am totally screwed if Survivor ever took an Artic theme.

Anyhoo, on Saturday, Bob Andrew, Somanna and I ventured into Harrisonburg to dine at Taste of Thai, which specializes in seriously fabulous Thai food. I hope the pictures will convey what words, sadly, cannot.





Bros before Ho's!


My Favorite Curry:)

Andrew drove us to Harrisonburg with his new permit skillz in the new-to-my-rents Lincoln town car. I opted to sit in the front passenger seat, trying my darndest to look as young as possible, quite a challenge when you are riding in the AARP's official mode of transportation.

Hey there little guy, I'm gonna need to see some identification if you want that Senior Citizen discount!

And since I opted to sit up front, it thus became my responsibility to supervise Andrew's driving. I actually had a tough time with this because a.) Andrew's a good driver and b.) that town car is one smooooth ride. Bob & Somanna passed out five minutes after we got on the interstate. Meanwhile I'm peeling my eyelids back Joan Rivers style trying to stay awake. Thanks for the support fellas!

After we returned from our scrumptious meal, we lounged around and shot the breeze. Later on we watched Bolt, a super cute and very funny animated film. Sunday we went to church and afterwards celebrated Elder Bob's birthday with some homemade carrot cake.

In case you were wondering, uh YES, it was as good as it looks!

Overall, we had a nice relaxing trip and it's always fun to hang with la familia.

Plus Bob & Rosie shared with us, rather Joe shared with us, that they are indeed knocked up so for those of you counting that's baby # 4 and we are all hoping for a girl! Because believe me, they have run out of boy names that they can agree on.

Congrats yall and yay for babies!! (from other people! Yay!!)

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Happy Easter!

We're off to Staunton, VA this weekend to visit the family, including some super cute nephews.

Hope you have as much fun on your Easter weekend as these little fellas.

Enjoy and Happy Weekend!

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I am Surrounded by Penises

Nephew # 5 arrived today across the pond in Norway. A bit early, but everyone is doing well. And what a cutie! You can see the little man here. Enjoy!

On a side note, I've determined that this means Somanna and I are destined to have a gaggle of girls when our time comes (just hold your horses yall. It ain't happening just yet!)

And maybe one boy.

Named Theo.

And we shall change our names to The Huxtables. Awesomeness.

CONGRATULATIONS to Big Bro, Tone and & Alex as they welcome a new little one into their home. We're so excited for you!!

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God Bless the Scots

Happy New Year!

We rang in 2009 by attending a family oyster roast at my grandmother's house in Columbus County, Nawth Caralina. Columbus County is in fact the only county in the whole entire US of A named after the famed lost explorer. So there. You have a new fun fact to throw in at your next cocktail party.

I'm only here to share the wealth of knowledge.

I hope you like seafood because if you don't, I'm not entirely sure these photos will convert you. Admittedly, seafood is not the most visually appealing food, but it is tasty. And it requires a "hands on / all hands on deck / any hand extremity related cliches" approach.



"The first man gets the oyster, the second man gets the shell." Andrew Carnegie


The term oyster roast, as best I can figure, stems from the days of yore when folks used to dig a big pit, often on the beach, throw in some coals and then place the oysters directly on the heat source to cook them. Along the way, someone figured out that steaming them is a heck of a lot easier than digging a big hole in the ground. But the name sure stuck and today folks in the low country still call it an oyster roast, even though by all technical accounts oysters are more often than not, steamed.


Steamed.





And then hacked open with tiny daggers.





And then gobbled down with homemade cocktail sauce or squeeze of lemon, if that suits your fancy.



"He was a bold man that first eat an oyster." Jonathan Swift


Oysters have long been considered a delicacy. When roasted, they have a slightly salty taste and a moderately fleshy texture. Despite their appearance, oysters do not feel slimy at all. Unless eaten on the half shell. (In which case, well duh, what did you expect.)


Either way these mollusks draw a definitive line in the sand: Ya either love 'em or hate 'em.





After cooking enough oysters to feed a small Roman Army, we headed inside to watch the ball drop in NYC's Times Square, followed by a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne. A song, which cannot possibly be understood sober, much less after consuming several celebratory drinks. I even googled the lyrics to this old folk tune, in part for this post, and in part as a determined effort to learn this song once and for all. But that attempt only left me with a big WTF expression on my face (sorry, parental units. But I gotta be real here.)


Nonetheless, we clumsily chimed in on the first and last lines of the song, mumbled our way through the middle like everyone else in the world (except the Scots) and ended it with a big Happy New Year! So mission accomplished.



Waiting for the New Year is awfully tiring on the little guy.


New Year's Day began with you guessed it, more eats! Our celebratory feast included black eyed peas (to bring good luck) served with rice, a dish commonly referred to as Hoppin' John in the dirty South. Also served were collard greens (for financial prosperity) cooked with ham hock (for, ironically enough, good health.)


At the risk of permanently ostracizing myself from the South (and lest we forget, possible financial ruin) I must confess I do not par take in the bitter collard greens. No siree. No ma'am.


I do not like green collards and ham, Sam I am.


I will not eat them in a house.
I will not eat them with a mouse.
I will not eat them here or there.
I will not eat them anywhere!


You get the point.


But that's OK, because it left more for Brittany, who loves her some collards greens. To the point that my parents' told her when she was little, and dependent upon them for truth and honesty and sustenance, (you know, little things like that,) that all greens were collards. And so little Brittany would literally scarf down my parents' lies, while I shook my head in shame at this monstrosity. But do not fret dear readers! Brittany survived, to only be slightly embarrassed at this story.


That was told, like 100 times in the course of 48 hours.


In front of her boyfriend no less.


And now I'm posting it on the intrawebs.


Good times :-)
She's a tough one, that Brittany. Maybe it was the spinach or were they collards?....but I digress.


Surely you didn't think that was the only food we had did you?


Silly readers! Portion control is for wimps!


My uncle Dick also made a mean vegetarian chili.


Granted, I realize that last sentence is arguably an oxymoron. But seriously this chili was.that.good. And once I get the recipe I promise to post it. Girl Scouts honor. (or something, I don't know. I didn't get into girl scouts. But it sounds honest, so in the meantime I'll just borrow this phrase.)


So we ate. We visited. We conquered the couch.


And then we headed home where we had some super cute visitors until Saturday.



Hurray for Aunt Beth! She rocks!!



Joe is teaching Bennett the fine art of carpentry skills. I plan on employing these laddies to remodel my house once they hit their physical prime of oh, about 19. And since I will be their elder and a relative, I can get away with paying them menial wages.



Hey, paparazzi! I'm on to you!



Angels. Bless 'em.


And that sums up our end to 2008 and the beginning to 2009.


2008 was monumental for us, for which we are very thankful and blessed.


But it also left us a little tired.


So here is to a healthy, relaxed, tasty, prosperous and FUN 2009!

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It's Thanksgiving Charlie Brown!

Well despite this post's tardiness, here it is nonetheless.

For el dia de turkey, mi esposo y moi headed north to Pittsburgh to converge on my brother's house with the rest of the family (minus Brittany, who had to work. Bah Humbug! But she was with us in spirit and thus spared the annual holiday weight gain.)

All in all, Bob & Rosie hosted ten extra peoples, plus their five and they did it in their trademark smoothness. Maybe if I give them a shout out here, they will write a book on the art of hosting and will give me a shout out for repeated guest perfection. One can hope...

I could bore you with details of our trip, but let's cut to it shall we? After all, the whole point of Thanksgiving is to gorge oneself on endless amounts of food right?

So here is the purrty Turkey that Rosie cooked this year. And believe me, it was as tasty as it looks! Not only that, the table was gorgeous enough to make Martha Stewart drool. Big ups to Rosie! She was rocking the domestic front!

Now here is where I would put a picture of the spread, but apparently my personal photographer was busy doing something else and slackin on his duties. Tsk , tsk.

(If Shaloot makes it back to the stairs on the right, he regains his super human powers by which he can hurl small children onto fluffy couches with great might.)

So instead I give you the beautiful setting in which we feasted with little self control.

You ain't got nothing on Rosie, Martha!

But do not fret my dear reader (it's a little early to assume we have more than one of you at this point.) But we.ate. good. And eat we did.

For starters, there were 3 kinds of stuffing to suit your fancy: crab stuffing, oyster stuffing and veggie stuffing.

And of course there was brown rice (a Wyche staple) gravy, sweet potato casserole with pecan topping (My favorite!!), asparagus casserole, jalapeno cornbread, salty ham ( a MacKenzie staple, I think), roasted green beans, cranberry sauce straight from the can (Erin, I'm right there with you honey!) as well as the freshly made kind.

And for dessert we had pumpkin pie and raspberry crumble.

And ice cream. To go with the pie of course. Duh.

And Aunt Margaret's Mexican dip on Friday. And FRESH fried oysters on Friday too.

And smoked salmon....and chex snack mix, which we kountrily refer to as "Trash."

And I'm going to stop because suddenly I'm self conscious both about the size of this food list and that I lovingly shovel "trash" into my mouth and never questioned this title until I had to write it out. Hmmm.....

So yes, we all gained weight. And before you even ask I'm going to go ahead and bite the bullet and acknowledge, that yes, there were NO mashed potatoes. I know it's like American sacrilege or something.

I can't speak for the MacKenzies, but the Wyches have always been rice folks. We have brown rice, red rice, yellow rice, white rice with gravy, and Jesus loves them all, plus all the little children of the world. Maybe that's why I ended up marrying an Indian man....with all my rice lovin ways, curry was bound to enter the menu rotation at some point.

So when we weren't eating, we were hangin out w/ the family, maximizing our weight gain by being as sedentary as possible. Somanna and I finally managed to watch Pirates of the Caribbean 3. Yea, I know it came out like in 2000 or something, but you know what? Our netflix queue is absurdly long and we're a little behind, alright? So just back off! That Planet Earth series is a LOT OF FRIGGIN DISCS ok?!!

But we finally saw it and now we can truly sleep at night knowing Jack is reunited with his beloved Black Pearl. I of course was relieved to have uninterrupted viewing of Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom. So it's all good,(except for Kiera Knightly's acting, but we still love her for her amazing abs don't we?)

And when we weren't busy doing all that , it was time to play with the three cutest boys in 'Merica. So now I give you what you have hopefully been chasing all this time: a barrage of photos of The Wyche Boys.


Joe. ....Bob's own personal Mini me.


Mac n Cheese + dinosaur pj's = childhood bliss.

Jackers is really the sweet one of the bunch, but apparently he is not feeling the camera love on this one!

Sweet Jack

Wasss up! Bennett rockin the stripes and trying on Shaloot's kicks.

(They are playing the latest Gameboy contraption which is called a PSP or something...I don't know ...it made me feel way old and inept at technology. Great self esteem booster when a six year old rolls his eyes at you because duh, its sooo easy Aunt Beth.)

"I would never misbehave Aunt Beth, look how cute and sweet I am?"

"See?"......Flirt!

P.S. they now refer to Shaloot as Uncle Shaloot. Very cute and something to be thankful for indeed.

(the b&w picks were made on film by Shaloot's old skool camera, the Pentax K1000. Check out the other shots on his flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaloot/sets/72157610578095695/detail/ )

Nice plug there Somanna.....

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