Are we there yet…

One final food post…Kelly’s Courtyard and T-Rays

Posted on June 30, 2011 by carly

The cats out of the bag….we did a lot of eating on this trip. In fact, our typical day kinda went like this: breakfast, beach, pool, lunch, back to the beach again, and then one final dip in the pool before heading back up to the condo. Dinner followed. One of the highlights of our trip was finding Kelly’s Courtyard in downtown Fernandina. Not only was the food good, but the courtyard was straight from the pages of Southern Living. This place will definitely join the ranks of T-Rays and Ms. Carolyn’s Breakfast as one of our favorite (kid friendly) places to dine on the island.

Fried Green Tomatoes, Smoked ribs, and Blueberry Squares were our favorites from Kelly’s Courtyard.

Located in an old gas station, T-Rays does greasy, southern style breakfast and lunch. It’s a favorite of the locals, so you know it’s good! Huston and G tried out the T-Rays famous hamburger (it’s won all kinds of local and national awards) and the T-Rays chili dog.

It’s not going to win any awards for presentation, but the chili dog is sure to bring you back for more.

Hutson is now a T-Rays believer.

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Peppers Mexican Restaurant

Posted on June 28, 2011 by carly

I’ve got several more posts to put up about dining in Fernandina. Maybe that explains why I came back from vacation 5 pounds heavier….

G and I were thrilled to see that one of our favorite Mexican chains on the island had moved downtown to a new location. The outside patio was to die for. Who can resist people watching while dining outdoors with a coastal breeze and loads of Mexican food? I’m a firm believer that you can’t experience a true vacation without endless bowls of chips, salsa, and cheese dip. And you certainly can’t do chips, salsa, and cheese dip without a Margaretta and cold beer. God forbid you leave vacation with the ability to button your pants…

We didn’t let a little rain get in the way of our dessert. After dinner, we grabbed our umbrella and headed to one of our favorite downtown sweet spots for ice cream and milkshakes.

Ice cream wasn’t the only surprise. After dropping Huttie and I off at the condo, G and MR headed out for a daddy/daughter putt putt date night.

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Sliders Seaside Grill

Posted on June 28, 2011 by carly

One of my favorite things about vacation is taking pictures of the kids wearing matching outfits eating out. We have so many places that we like to dine at in Fernandina, but Sliders is one of our favorites. Not so much for the food, but for the atmosphere, proximity to the beach, and the playground. No matter how hot it is, MR always insists that we sit outside so that she can play on the playground while we wait for our food.

I never argue with her request becuase the playground means more free time for mama. And more free time for mama means time to enjoy an adult beverage…

Time to look through the menu…

And time to take countless pictures of G,

MR,

and Huttie…

Supper is almost always followed by a meltdown as MR is never ready to go. We regroup by offering up a series of bribes and threats in an attempt to capture a picture of the kids. After 200+ pictures, we settle on this one.

And this one in which I promised the kids that we would build a pool in the backyard if they would stop fussing long enough to look at the camera and smile.

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An overview of Fernandina

Posted on June 27, 2011 by carly

This vacation was all about spending time together as a family. In the last six years of marriage, our honeymoon was the only occasion that G was able to leave work behind. For seven whole days, there was no mention of work, chores, or schedules. There were no conference calls or work emails. No errands to run. And no trips to the pediatrician or post office. There was no counting calories and zero time spent sweating it out in the gym. Yep, this vacation was just what we needed. We stayed up late, slept in, and ate ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We played on the beach. Spent time at the pool. Had cocktails at noon. And laughed the whole way through.

We traded in morning cartoons for walks on the beach and sea shell hunts; afternoons were spent relaxing at the pool.

The kids and I loved every second of “work-free” G. Throughout the week, he spoiled us with his time, his patience, and several sweet surprises…

One of his surprises was a spa day for MR and I at the Ritz.

I’ve got 897 pictures left to go through of our fun in Fernandina. More to come…

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A quick trip to the Georgia Coast

Posted on June 17, 2011 by carly

Phase one of our vacation began with an overnight visit to Eulonia to spend some time with Gran C and Big Daddy before heading to the beach. The Georgia coast is one of our favorite places to visit becuase it involves grandparents, boat rides, good ol’ marsh air, and long walks down to the dock. As we were leaving the coast, MR smiled and said, “these people in Dalonia (Eulonia) sure know how to have fun.” I couldn’t agree with my sweet girl more!

On Saturday morning, Captain Dan took Big Daddy, Brant, and G out for some off shore fishing. MR could hardly wait for the “boys” to return.

We made no less than a dozen trips down to the dock in anticipation of their arrival. MR ran as fast as she could when Gran C announced that the boys were back.

Her excitement grew even more when Captain Dan offered her and Hutson a ride on his boat.

Much like her mama, MR thinks that Big Daddy hung the moon. This became even more true when Big Daddy pointed out two nearby dolphins.

By the time we returned to the dock, both kids were clearly outdone with pictures beat. Lucky for them, they had a full week at the beach to look forward to…

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Hutson

Posted on June 15, 2011 by carly

Dear Hutson,

You are growing so fast! You are 11 months old now. You have a head full of curly brown hair and a mind of your own. You love to be held, especially by your daddy. You two are pretty much inseparable these days.

This past weekend, you went on your first boat ride in Eulonia. Thanks to Captain Dan and Big Daddy (and some leftover bait fish), you and your sister got to see two dolphins.

Much like your daddy, you constantly look to the sky for airplanes. Few things please your daddy more than seeing your interest in aviation.

While visiting Eulonia, your Gran C pointed out that you quite the showman. You love attention and constantly look to others to make sure they are noticing you. Your fun loving personality and spunky smile is sure to take you far. Your daddy calls this the “it factor”. All of the boys on the Harrell/Harvey side posses this trait, so it’s no surprise that you do too.

Sweet, sweet Huttie Cat, I can only imagine how much fun we are going to have with you in the next 11 months! You complete us. And make us laugh. You keep your sister on her toes, and your daddy and I wrapped around your little finger. It is both a blessing and a privilege to watch you grow. You are and will always be our sweet little boy!

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Catching up

Posted on June 13, 2011 by carly

I’m a big list-maker. I love nothing more than taking a red Sharpie marker and crossing a “to do” item off my list. When all of the items on my list are complete, I crumple up my list and start a new one. MR has seen me do this on numerous occasions. She knows that the act of crumpling is usually followed by a ritual dance off to the theme song of Rocky III, Eye of the Tiger. Sylvester Stallone, Mr. T, and Hulk Hogan, who all star in the film, have nothing on a momma with a mission. Espcially a mama equipped with a red Sharpie Marker…

With several crumpled lists behind me, I can breath a sigh of relief. Seven days at the beach with G and the kids is more than enough time to recharge this mamas battery. But before I can post a gazillion pictures of MR playing on the beach or Huttie eating fistfuls of sand, Ive got some catchin’ up to do….

Since my last post, we fenced in the backyard (iron on the front of the house and wood on the sides);

We got a much needed haircut for Huttie. This was his second haircut in two months;

Had dinner with some of our favorite friends;

Rescued “White Tiger”, one of MR’s favorite Little People, from the ball machine. The operation took an hour to preform and involved a few choice words, three screwdrivers and no less than two dozen loose screws;

Got a digital copy of MR’s spring school picture and nearly fainted when we saw how sweet it was;

Spent an afternoon working in the backyard to clear out the woods behind our house.

Not only did we work Gran C and Big Daddy in 90 degree temperatures, but we also sent them home with an overly excited three year old. For four days, MR enjoyed afternoons swims, story time at the library, and endless amounts of watermelon and marshmallows. Gran C and Big Daddy returned MR on Wednesday evening so that we could get ready for our trip to the beach. We are on day 3 of our family vacation and are having the time of our lives. I’ve already taken over 300 pictures, so I’ve got plenty to share in the days to come!

Posted in Home improvement, Hutson, mary reese, memories | 1 Comment

Wanted…

Posted on May 31, 2011 by carly

We are now excepting applicants for a full time, live in barber that can tame a 10 month old’s hair…

Since we’re on week 3 of sick kids, we are also willing to pay big bucks to the person that can get our kids well.

Actively seeking a perfectly mannered 3 year old companion for MR. Must like princesses, tutus, bubbles, dogs, and marshmallows.

We’re also in search of a part time baby-holder/entertainer for the little man of the house. Must be patient, seldom grossed out by a constant runny nose, and willing to change dirty diapers.

In need of a cook whose cuisine extends beyond a bowl of Lucky Charms cereal and the Chick-fil-A drivthru.

A temporary stand-in husband who is as sweet as my own, that is willing to play with kids, grill steaks, and kiss boo boos. ** G has had an incredibly busy work week. He’s been pulling all nighters and has worked most of the weekend .**

Until I get my favorite handyman back, I am also looking to acquire 24 hour access to a work crew from HGTV. Must be willing to work for free and help out with children as needed.

In need of an affordable photographer who can capture a good family picture and some sweet sibling pictures of MR and Hutson. A picture where both kids are looking at the camera and fingers are out of nose and mouth.