We Miss the Beach & Old Gap-Tooth is Back

Well, we've been back in Hotlanta for a week now, but we're still missing the beach. Overall, we had such a good time and were so glad to be able to see Mark, Ellen, Emma, Zoe and the whole gang on Tybee Island. As we were leaving Tybee, Riley asked, "Why can't we just live with Mark and Ellen?" We'd love to make a move down there, but Charles hasn't been able to find a job in the area. Maybe one day...

Not much to report, but I did have the first half of a dental proceedure done today--my dentist removed all the old bonding from my top front teeth and cut my gums a bit to make way for some shiney new veneers! It was a two-hour process and was far from fun, but the results will be well worth it. Unfortunately, my teeth now look like they did when I was in sixth grade--I have a ginormous space between my two front teeth. I would post a picture, but it's way embarrasing. Charles says they don't look that bad (isn't he sweet?), but when I showed Riley, she simply said, "Wow." I bet Charles that two quarters would fit in the space and he said, "No way." He was wrong--they fit quite nicely.

Anyway, back to what I came here to do--post some pictures. Here's a look at what we did all week...

Riley & Charles pose on the dock at Hudson's Restaurant.

Riley lets the clown at Hudson's put a little "art" on her hand.

After dinner, Riley skips shells on the water.

The boats docked at Hudson's.

Riley creates her own "pool" on the beach.

She's such a ham when it comes to pictures.

Riley loved playing miniature golf with a pirate
theme (she's so into pirates right now).

She was so focused on her shots--she
took it very seriously.

Random bird we spotted while we were
riding our bikes around the island.

This picture just cracks me up--this

was taken at Hilton Head Ice Cream.

Riley playing with her cousin, Ann.
Ann looooved Riley's Croc's!

We stopped at Uncle Bubba's to eat on our
way to Tybee Island. Saw Uncle Bubba, but no Paula Dean...

View from our "private" table at Uncle Bubba's.

The spread on Tybee Beach for the Fourth of
July--lots of fun people and "adult" beverages!

Shrimp boat right off the beach--it was
swarming with seagulls and dolphins.

Low tide was super messy--here's Riley
with her friends playing in the muck.

She got a little muddy...

The Three Stooges--Mark, Jim (he's with the Coast Guard) and Charles.

I guess it's back to the real world now...

Hilton Head Vacation

We arrived on Hilton Head Island on Saturday and we've already had a busy week. Riley is enjoying the beach--especially the ocean. She has no fear! She wades out into the water until it's up past her waist before she becomes the least bit cautious. Seeing her so confident makes me wish she had just a bit of fear of the water. We have to keep a very close eye on her!

She and Charles have also enjoyed the pool. She likes to get in and practice her kicking--I think we'll need to sign her up for swimming lessons soon.

Riley and Charles try to warm up after an early evening dip.

Riley with a clown outside Hudson's on the water.

Riley with Grandma and Papa on the back porch.

We have a new "mascot" here at the house this year. In years past, we always see the usual turtles and in the past couple of years we've been visited by a rather large alligator or two. This year, we have a much smaller visitor...

Our new "mascot" for this season.

He's coming right for us!

Riley has named our guest Spiderman--right now she names everything Spiderman and it can be a tad annoying. She likes waking up in the morning and checking to see if he's out in the pond or sunning himself on the bank. Yesterday, he came right out of the water no more than 15 feet away from the steps of the back deck. It's wicked cool!

That's it for now, but I'll be sure and post more photos when we get home. We hope everyone has a great 4th of July weekend. We'll be visiting the Fulkerson's on Tybee Island then to enjoy the fireworks on the island.

My Current Fix

Call me obsessed, but I've listened to this song (and watched the video) a hundred times since it came out--Ladytron's new album, "Velocifero." There's just something about this band--check out their other albums "The Witching Hour," "Light and Magic," etc. and you just might get hooked as well.

Click here to listen to, and watch the video for, "Ghosts."

See Rock City!

We had a spectacular Father's Day! Originally, we had no plans and expected to spend the day relaxing at home, but Sunday morning, at about 10:00am, Charles just looked over at me and said, "Let's go to Chattanooga." We hopped in the car and did the whole "tourist" thing in the city--we visited Lookout Mountain, Rock City and Ruby Falls.

We had such a great time and Riley was thrilled to ride the Incline Railway and "go exploring" in the cave. She was amazed--as were we! Lots of pictures for you:

Car heading up the mountain.

View from inside the tram.

Charles & Riley on top of Lookout Mountain.

View from the top of the mountain.

Looking down the track from the top of the mountain.

Cool rock formations at Rock City.

Random flowers at Rock City.

Charles & Riley on the swinging bridge.

The view from underneath the bridge.

Lovers Leap at Rock City--the postcard shot.

Charles & Riley on top of Lovers Leap.

More beautiful sites at Rock City.

A very narrow passage at Rock City.

Charles and the 100-ton rock.

The entrance to Fairyland Caverns.

Making our way into Fairyland Caverns.

The journey to Ruby Falls was way cool...

In all her glory...Ruby Falls.

They had some wicked-cool lighting down there.

Neat area outside the entrance to the falls.

Riley playing outside the Tennessee Aquarium after dinner at Big River Grill.

I took a bazillion pictures--can you believe these are only a fraction of what's on my camera? I will leave you with one interesting photo. It was taken at Rock City in their "Fairyland Caverns" area--call us dirty-minded, but we were both quite amused (Riley kept asking what was so funny).

I thought this was a family-oriented establishment!

That's all for now--hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day!!

The Class of '08

Well, our little girl is all grown up...she's a graduate!! Riley "graduated" from her 3-year-old preschool class on Thursday. I equate the whole process to herding cats, but, overall, it was a really cute presentation.

Waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Riley checking out the crowd.

The ceremony started with a "performance" from the children. They did the "Chicken Dance" and sang a couple of songs.

Riley in mid-performance of the "Chicken Dance."

Riley checking out the big kids (they move on to the real thing next year).

Riley getting her "diploma," with a little help from an escaped toddler.

After the presentation, we all had lunch and played on an inflatable castle set up in the school-yard. She had a blast!

First Cavity

Riley and I visited the dentist a while ago for our regular cleanings--I got away with a "clean bill of health," but Riley had one small cavity. We had to go back for her to get it filled and it was her very first experience with "the drill."

I was so worried--the doctor had said she probably wouldn't need a shot to numb the area because the cavity was so small, but changed his mind when we arrived. She got into the chair and, as you can see, got quite comfortable. She had on shades to block out the bright light and was hooked up with a radio and headphones so she could listen to Radio Disney. Things were going well...

Riley calm, cool and collected--ready for anything.

Believe it or not, she was totally fine when the dentist gave her the shot to numb the area--not one tear shed or even a whimper from her. She did much better than I usually do. Last time I had a shot I cried! She was calm during the drilling process and we were all amazed.

The calm vibe soon vanished once the drilling was over and the dentist was preparing to fill the cavity. No one knows what happened, but all of a sudden she just "lost it." She was hysterical and kicking, screaming and crying as though she was in pain, but she obviously couldn't feel anything! The doctor and assistant had to take a break and calm her down to finish the job. I was escorted to the waiting area--all the while, Riley's screams could be heard by everyone in the office.

A very unhappy Riley with one very patient dentist.

She made it through the process. About two minutes after they wrapped things up she was completely fine--almost as though the last 15 minutes had never occurred! What a strange day...

Under the Big Top

Charles and I, along with our good friend George, took Riley to the Shriner's Circus this past weekend. She had a blast--it was her first time doing anything like this and she got to ride her very first carnival rides ever. She approached the rides with no fear and I was really amazed at how eager she was to tackle anything!

The circus was not bad, but she got a little board about halfway through the show. Next year, we plan to take her to the "real" circus--Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey's!! Now that really is "The Greatest Show on Earth" and I don't think she'll be disappointed.

Riley and George on the Alpine Coaster.

Riley and George on the Dragon Coaster.

Riley and Charles on a Dragon version of the Tea Cups.

Riley enjoying her cotton candy.

One super-cool motorcycle trick.

A tiger walking his version of a tight-rope.

Elephants performing at the circus.

Elephant carries a woman in his mouth.

A boxing kangaroo.