Aloha 'Oe!!

"Farewell to thee..." I had to say farewell to my beautiful mom and sister last Friday as they venture out to Hawaii for the next 3 years (insert sniffing sound here... :*(  ) I was lucky enough to have them come visit us in WVa for 4ish days in which we were able to enjoy some quality time with eachother and nosh on some great food (thanks mom!). Lil blake got to spend some QT with his amma- which was the main point of the visit (didn't you know that once you provide a grandchild, you become chopped liver?)

dropping off my aloha bound mom and sis at Dulles....

It's been five days since they left and I miss them terribly!!! I didn't get to see them every day when they lived 5hrs away in NC, but the fact that they are no longer tangible to me is downright sad. I think about you guys everyday...and mutti, this time zone difference is doing nothing for our bff status!!! you are going to have to start waking up at 2am your time to talk to me on my way to work :) I love you guys!

On another note, our lil fam has great things to look forward to this summer. This Saturday we are OBX bound!!! Although it's not a lush paradise like Hawaii, it's still one of our favorite places to be with our families. The dune grass, sea oats, mom and pop restaurants, and the lack of umbrellas from tourists on the beach, make the OBX one of the most preserved vacation spots in the South! We are staying in Kill Devil Hills near Nags Head so we will be busy doing our favorite things!! It stinks to have to cram everything in a week, but I am not complaining.  I'm hoping to dive into some new activities next week- so stay posted. Big B and I get super excited everytime we go down there because we get to reminisce about the summer+ we were fortunate enough to live out there! It was one of the best summers of our lives!!

Summer of 2007...look how young we look! This was at our favorite restaurant/bar Ocean Blvd.

Mom and Dad make a visit to the OBX to pick on Blake haha.

Rundown Cafe

Dad with his girls!

Blake making his way down Jockey's Ridge...he broke a rib hang gliding this day!

Beware of the harness wedgie

Haha...Like I would leave Blake out of this!

Did I mention we got married in our favorite place to be? Best day of our lives (besides lil b's arrival!)

There are a ton more pics that I will have to dig up from Blake's computer...so these will have to do for now. I can't wait to share our OBXvacay2010 pics next week! I know this post was pretty random...sorry! I'm trying to squeeze it in before I go to work :)

Have a great day!!

4th of July Recap!

Happy Birthday to the USA! I love being an American and there is no place I'd rather be. I feel so lucky and proud that I am part of this awesome country- and anyone who is here and does not like it, should try somewhere else out and feel how lucky they were to be here. I better get back on track to my family related stories before I start ranting.... :)

Well, let's just say that this 4th of July was semi-successful. Pros: 3day weekend, neighborhood cookout, family cookout at Uncle Rob's in Annapolis, lots of play time for lil b and his lil friends. Con: lil b did not enjoy the fireworks....

It was actually quite cute... after a long afternoon running up a hilly drive way with his friends, lil b was ready to settle down, eat some dinner, re-hydrate and do it all over again. Not long after he sat down, the fireworks show(courtesy of the dads of the neighborhood) began.... lil b stood up to see what was going on, got a little nervous and ran under a tent....then as the bigger fireworks began booming, lil b grabbed my hand and pointed to the house so we could go inside. I tried to encourage the fireworks with no luck. So we went back to our house down the way. Then I tried to get lil b to sit on our new deck (courtesy of Big B), but he was not having that either....so he eagerly led me back into the house and into the bathroom where we proceeded to hang out with the door closed for 10 minutes. One more try I thought...so I brought him outside again with Big B on the deck and he jumped out of my arms into Big B's and made him come outside. All in all, it was a nice intimate family time for us....West Virginia style as lil b fell asleep with a hot dog in his hand. Oh, by the way, this was July 3rd...we resorted to fireworks on t.v. for July 4th ;)

Better luck next year!

Lil b and his pal Q

Sprinkle Thief

Good lil helper :)

Yankee Doodle Dandee Treats!

Table Big B made for lil b

Cheese!

Chillin'

Ridin'

Boys of the 'hood

Busy Boys

Similie: Blogging is like going to the gym...

I apologize for being such a stranger lately...and the only excuse I can come up with is- blogging is like going to the gym- it's easy when your in a routine but once you fall off the wagon, it's hard to get back on it! This is how my life has been in general these days... I know I have great intentions to do both, but sometmes life gets in the way...

So because you shouldn't go back to the gym with gianormous expectations the first day, I'm using this rule for blogging as well (since they are so similar...ha!). I am slowly- but surely- going to hop on both wagons today :) Enjoy the pictures and videos of what we have been up to these past few months! Keep your fingers crossed for another post sooner than later...

March/April Birthday Celebration in NC

The most amazing Tiramisu Cake by Momma Pyle

Lil b helping out with chores (must get this trait from Big B)

Yardsale end of April with the neighbors!

Lil b helping wipe down the counters..best lil helper ever!

He loves to wear our shoes lately!

lil jack's baptism! Big B is his Godfather!!

Our grown-up date at the Preakness!

Lil b's first Maggie Moo's experience...not that great!

Spaghetti head

lil b loves to ride in his lil red wagon with Q!

Boys of the 'hood!

QT with momma at the Cajun Wine Festival at Breaux Vineyards!

Watching dad build the deck :)

this kid loves icy-pops!

side view of deck

shot from the stairs

Big B cutting the stairs!

Crabcakes by Blake :) I'm a lucky lady!

Father's day gift from lil b to Big B :)

lil b enjoying his first cannoli!

tummy ache at midnight...but still adorable!

Big B bribing lil b to come down the isle at Phil and Ebeth's wedding! It worked...kind of!

too much dancing for this kid....taking a breather on the dance floor!

it was hot! stay tuned for more pics of lil b in his tux :)

lil b's new trick...ha!

Well, that's all for now... We hope everyone is doing well and can't wait to see you all soon! We head to the OBX in 16 days.... can't wait!

- krystal and the blakes :)

ahhh, 26.

Today I turned 26- kudos to my mom and dad :) Here is a shout out to the people who have shaped who I am today (great job too, I might add... :) )

 

• Little Blake!!! He ended up in our bed last night just because and I was lucky enough to wake up to such a sweet creation of my own :) He woke up after a few kisses from mom and right then and there, I knew that he is my greatest accomplishment so far. He's the sweetest lil guy ever. We mooed at cows out the window on the ride to daycare this morning...perfect way to start chapter 26!
• Big Blake!! I am lucky enough to be married to my best friend... I couldn't imagine my life without him. He is the funniest, smartest, persistant, kindest, most handsome man I know... can you believe I get to call him all mine?? Lucky me! Not to mention, he is the best dad in the world!!! Lil b just adores his daaaaaaaaaaaaaadddddddddddd!

 

• 
  
  My Family... I wouldn't be where I am without my family. They have shaped my life in so many ways and I couldn't be more grateful for the positive and diverse enviornment I grew up in. It's everyday that I realize how much they have influenced my life and it's really shown up ever since I became a parent myself. All those "hard" lessons I had to learn really kicked in...and I can honestly say, I wish I would have listened to them sooner!! My mom is the biggest role model in my life- one of the strongest woman I know (alongside her mom as well :) ) Thanks for giving me life mutti!! Even my dad has shaped who I am...especially my sweet dance moves...haha. Sienna, my lil sis, always keeps me on my toes and makes sure I stay current... her sassy sense of humour keeps me young and I love being her sister!!

• My Grandmother aka DiDung- the strongest woman I know the best grandma in the world...the funny thing is, I grew up with my cousins and "Di" actually means Aunt in Vietanmese...so I have called my grandmother "Aunt" my whole life...just one of those quirky things. I can't say enough great things about her...but I think about her often and miss her tons..especially since I have little blake... I know she would "love" (aka spoil) her great grandson like crazy...luckily, my mom has inherited all my grandmother's traits :) I'm pretty sure I got a ton of her sassy traits too...hehe..poor Big B. I will have to dedicate a post to her one day- she was pretty awesome.

DiDung

• 
  
  His Family..aka the In-Laws.... ha! Not many people are fortunate enough to marry into such a great family, let alone, two great families! I love all of them and enjoy making memories with them often! What lucky kids we will have to have 3 sets of grandparents....there's no doubt that they will be loved (not spoiled!) haha. By marrying Blake, I've also tripled my cousin count...holy cow! And gained two more sisters and lil bro?! Don't even get me started on all the aunts and uncles I inherited.... haha... I have a new huge FAMILY and love it!

Lil b with his grandparents!!

Meet the Tarletons

Group Pic of the Legnards

A good representation of the Wiers but missing Uncle Joel!!

• Friends/Extended Fam- Okay, so I'm usually on my best behavior around my family...but these guys get to see me at my best (okay, and sometimes worst ;) ) But like family, they have to love me anyways! So thanks for always letting me be me!

my longtime soccer buddies...miss you girls! when the heck did we grow up??

bf and bffffff

future family vacation participants

bridesmaids = friends for life

charlotte couple friends <3

aunt and cuz...two of my faves

cousins can be friends too :)

all of our family and friends at our wedding!

Love you guys.