Vacation Part 2 - Hilton Head Island, SC

On our way to Hilton Head Island, we stopped at the Outlet Mall for some shopping and a late lunch at the Sea Grass Grille, where I had an obsess-worthy shrimp melt and my first (local favorite) she-crab soup of the trip.  I am still fantasizing about the crunch and fresh taste of this heirloom tomato stuffed with a crunchy creamy shimp salad, covered in cheese and broiled so the top was melty, the tomato was slightly softened, but the inside was still crunchy.  You better believe when our tomatoes come up i the garden I will be trying to recreate this treat!

Eric's vote for the culinary highlight of the trip was none other than his favorite Food Network star, Robert Irvine's restaurant EAT!  Here is Eric and I as we entered the restaurant.

The restaurant had a very seductive decor, consisting of dark paneled walls, lots of red accents and unique light fixture sculptures, and we just happened to eat there on 1/2 price tapas night - so in the interest of trying as many dishes as possible and also taking advantage of this promotion, we had as many tapas as we could possibly eat!  We started with bacon and shallot compote topped oysters (roasted, parmesan finished) and a chorizo pizzetta (roasted garlic, provolone, chorizo, caramelized onion) pictured here.

The highlight for both Eric and I were the prime beef sliders (brie, pickle, blue cheese tossed romaine).  This is actually our SECOND round of these - they were possibly the best sliders we've ever had. 

The food just kept coming!  We also had crabcakes, gnocchi, and fried green tomatoes.

And of course, Eric had to have the "Chocolate Ridiculous Cake".  Shocker, right?  He enjoyed this dessert with his dramatic eye closing/rolling bliss.  His mouth was definately in a happy place.

We fell fast asleep after dinner in our first floor beachfront hotel room at the Westin with the balcony door open to the REAL sound of waves.  (Sorry Sleep Sheep - this was WAY better.)  This was our view when we woke up the next morning.

After breakfast at the Sunrise Cafe, we went straight to the pool.  Here is Eric by the pool enjoying our morning of relaxation.

Here I am also finding a great deal of relaxation poolside.

That afternoon, we gave up our pool chairs for a couple chairs and umbrella on the beach.  We loved watching the waves roll in and all the cute kids on the beach.

For dinner, we headed to the Old Fort Pub, and ate on the patio overlooking the water.  It was like being in a treehouse!  More she-crab soup, fish, and deliciousness was enjoyed here!

Here is a neat picture of the sun as it was setting over the water.  We got to watch from our table - pretty as a picture!

Good morning,  and Happy 4 year Anniversary to us!   We indulged that morning at the spa with a couples massage/scrub/tub.  It was WONDERFUL!!!  After our treatments, we grabbed a bite at a nearby deli and headed back to the beach!

 

Here is another shot of my delicious husband by (one of the three) pools.

For dinner on our anniversary, we had reservations at the Jazz Corner, coincidentally next to EAT!  It was a very intimate restaurant, with wall to wall people - not a seat to spare, and we soon learned why. 

We started with this fun dish of mussels - delish!

About this time, the lights were dimmed, and the jazz band started to play.  Very fun piano player.

Here were our main entrees, mine was prociutto wrapped shallots, and risotto in the center.  Eric enjoyed the bison burger.

This grasshopper was perfect for my radiating sunburn! 

They brought us a candle-lit dessert to wish us a Happy Anniversary and the audience clapped for us - what a great exclamation point ending to a WONDERFUL trip!!!

Vacation Part 1 - Savannah, GA

The first leg of our trip took us to Savannah, GA!  Here are some of the highlights!

Kehoe House
The big thing to do in Savannah is to stay in a bed and breakfast, which are historic mansions turned into charming accomodations filled with history.  I loved the cobblestone streets and waking up to the sound of horse drawn carriages clopping down the street.  We stayed in in the Kehoe House and enjoyed every minute!

Here is the parlor off the lobby where we enjoyed breakfast at the dining table with all the others staying at the Kehoe House. 

Here is our room - really tall ceilings, the chandelier, a fireplace, and three tall windows made this such a pretty room and we loved every minute!

Here is Eric at the happy hour.  Each evening at 5:00, they put out a selection of wine, a cheese platter with grapes, a dip, and crackers.  We took advantage each night after we came back from sightseeing to unwind and refresh ourselves before going to dinner.



 Moon River Brewing Company
Our first night after wine and cheese, we had some time to spare before our 8:00 dinner reservations at the Olde Pink House (per the recommendation of the Kehoe House conceirge), so we strolled around the town for awhile, and landed at the Moon River Brewing Company.  Eric and I got a sampler so we could try them all.

The Olde Pink House

Then it was time for dinner, we headed to the Olde Pink House, which is gourmet southern food, and we certainly enjoyed our meal!  Of course the servers enjoy telling tales of the mansion's ghosts.  I had their signature dish, which was a crispy scored flounder with apricot sauce.  Here I am with my delicious fish!

Horse Drawn CarriageThe next monring, we took one of the horse-drawn carriage tours, which was a really neat way to see Savannah.  We got the full scoop on a lot of the history of the city and had a really fun time seeing more of the town.

The Lady and Sons

After our tour, we headed to The Lady and Sons, which is Paula Deen and her son's restaurant.  We started with a cornbread pancake and cheddar biscuit, and then indulged in the buffet, which was fried chicken, shortribs, all kinds of southern sides like mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, collard greens, beans, and there was even a salad bar!

Included in the buffet was our choice of dessert.  I tried the gooey butter cake, which is almost identical to my mom's gooey butter recipe.  When at Paula Deen's, how could I not order something with butter in the title??

We continued to sightsee the rest of that day and the next.  We went to some art museums, and shopped.  Here I am at the fountain near Forsyth Park, which is a famous landmark from "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". 

Our trip wouldn't have been complete without a stop at a cemetery.  It was insane to see how old some of the graves are.  I will admit, I did get the creeps - this place definitely has spirits!

Here is Eric in front of famous author, Flannery O'Connor's home.  Another stop on our fun journey.

Here is the last picture before we hopped in the car to head to the beach at Hilton Head!

MS Walk 2012

Saturday, May 19th was the Des Moines MS Walk.  It was a gorgeous morning for a walk!  We all brought the girls and strollers to support the cause.  Here is Leslie with Alivia and Elaine ready to cruise.

Bridget also joined us for our outing, and even had little newborn shades of her own.  Too precious!!

Here is a picture of our team just as we crossed the finish line.  Quinn and Jay also came out to support the cause!

Here are Eric's parents, Mike and Julie who were also visiting and walked with us.

Our team raised just about $500 total and enjoyed a really nice morning!

New Job, New Holiday!

This week, I got a new job! I will start at EMC the Tuesday after Memorial Day, which is perfect timing for our trip coming up!  I will get a week in between, which will be much needed!  We had a WONDERFUL weekend home with Elaine.  I got to celebrate my first Mother's Day!  Friday night we went over to Jill's to grill and hang out.  I got a cute pic of Daddy and Elaine while we were outside playing some backyard games.

Our peony bushes are in full bloom, and our roses are also growing like wild.  I was able to pick enough flowers to have some in every room of the house!  As you can imagine, it smells like a florist!

Saturday night, we went with Elaine to Waterfront for a special Mother's Day dinner.  Here is Elaine in her big girl highchair checking out the menu.  Someday Elaine!

Here is my happy girl and I at dinner!

Sunday morning, I got out one of Elaine's Christmas gifts and she caught on quick!  Here she is with her newest buddy, learning how to push and walk with it! 

We got some takeout at Gateway Market, and headed to Gray's Lake for a picnic and a walk.  Here is Elaine enjoying a stroll.

Here is daddy with Elaine on our blanket at the park overlooking the lake.  I've been wanting to go on this picnic for a LONG time!  No time like Mother's Day!

Here is Elaine giving my head a rub on my special day.  I've never felt so blessed to have such a happy and loving little girl.  My first Mother's Day was full of love and kisses and special snuggles with my little peanut.  My cup runneth over!

A Mile a Minute!

What a week! (Insert exhale.) This marks Elaine's first full week without her pacifier.  She really impressed us with her ability to adapt.  I won't say it was a breeze, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be!  I went to daycare one day and found her sneaking another little guy's pacifier... she's resourceful!  Watch your paci's, Elaine is shopping!  :)

 

One of the biggest developments is Elaine's crawling.  She can actually crawl for distance now!  For a while it was one or two paces, then she would roll onto her back.  Now she's on a mission!  And she certainly gets where she intends to.  So of course we have a new baby gate in the house, and the childproofing supplies have surfaced just in time.

This week marked the kickoff of all the various Farmer's Markets in town.  Thursday we went with Jay and his daughter Quinn to the local Valley Junction market, where our favorite Greek chicken pitas and sweet treats are found.  Saturday, we headed to the downtown market for our favorite breakfast burritos, some other fun treats, and vegetable plants for my garden, which I rushed home to plant.  We will have tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, yellow squash, and I still have room to plant a couple more things.  We'll see what sounds good this week.  I also got our window boxes planted too!

Sunday morning, a storm rolled through, and Elaine, who loves to stand (supported), was very interested in the rain and wind blowing.

Sunday, Eric had his "guy's day out" where he and a few good friends head to Kansas City to catch a ball game and get bbq, and head home all in the same day.  SO, while daddy's away, the girls will play!  Alivia came over this morning for a playdate at the park and so Leslie and I could catch up.

Lunch included Elaine's second meal with finger food (beyond just Cheerios).  Saturday, she ate cut up banana, so Sunday we tried some whole grain pasta and cut up grapes.  She simply refuses to eat pureed food from the spoon these days.  Miss Independence!

After lunch, we went over to see our friend Ellie, who is a month older than Elaine, and walking all by herself!  She had this adorable rocking snail that Elaine couldn't wait to try out!  Here is Ellie sharing her toys with Elaine.

Elaine could not get enough and I LOVED watching her grab the little antennae!!

On my way home from LeAnn's, I got a call from Nikki that they were mixing a favorite summer drink, and getting out the kiddie pools.  So after a quick nap, Elaine and I were off for our third playdate of the day!  We joined Quinn and her friend Annabel for a little splash on what ended up being a beautiful day!

Here is Elaine being a big girl at the water table!  What a great day with friends!!