bermuda update

Hello from Bermuda!

Here's a quick update & some fun pics from our trip so far:
When Cristie & I arrived in Bermuda on Thursday afternoon it was raining. You get off the plane from the back & on the actual runway area so we were drenched when we got inside the actual airport & went through customs...all part of the Bermuda experience :) It actually has not rained during the day again since we arrived though! We have been blessed with beautiful weather!

Tressa came to pick us up at the airport & we met Tracy at Tressa's house when we arrived! Tressa prepared a delicious dinner for us Thursday night & we just had a good time visiting!

Friday, we drove down to the Bermuda Dockyard for a fun experience: touring the shops, Hagan Daas ice cream, viewing all the boats, seeing the pretty flowers, etc.

Tracy, Tressa, Carrie & Cristie at the Dockyard



After the beach on Saturday, Tressa took us to lunch at the lighthouse. After eating, we walked 143 stairs to the tip top to get a better view of the island. (my palms are sweating as I sit & type this! ha ha)

Lighthouse view from the back of the Vrieze's backyard

Pretty hibiscus in the Tressa & Kyle's backyard

Gotta run for now but I will update more after I get home! We're having so much fun, but I have to admit I'm missing my boys!!! I Love you two & can't wait to see you in a couple of days!

letter from Parker

So I checked my email before I went to bed last night & this is what I found in my inbox from mama (Rassie)...do you see where I get my love of writing from?! I can't wait to include this letter in Parker's scrapbook. It meant so much to me to be able to know what Parker did on his first day away from mama & daddy! Thank you for being creative & thinking like I think on things like this mama! This is a forever keepsake & it made me go to bed with a grin wider than the MS when I crawled under the covers last night!

"My First Vacation (away from mama & daddy):

Hey, Mommy and Daddy!
Rassie is helping me write this. She has so much to learn about computers! In another year or two, I will come spend a week with her and teach her everything she needs to know!

We had a fun trip to Grenada. Rassie played a CD of Songs for Tots and she sang and I clapped some and smiled at her in the mirror!

We stopped at Olive Branch at a McDonald's to have some breakfast. I was not very impressed with the Golden Arches. There wasn't even a playground! I was good anyway and ate some sausage and cheese biscuit. The most fun was watching a man wash the windows! Rassie said the most fun for her was watching me and seeing the wonder on my face while I watched that man with the pole clean the windows.

I got excited when we got to Grenada! I was just too excited to nap on the way. I played with some of Rassie's toys for a while and she tried to get me to eat, but i wasn't very hungry. Then she read me a really good book about another baby reading a book! Then she rocked me to sleep. While I got "ready" to sleep, I showed her where her nose was, also her eyes and mouth! I think i really impressed her with how smart i am!

I woke up after only 45 minutes because this loud machine woke me! Rassie said it is called a lawn mower and that it makes the yard look pretty. I don't know about the yard, but that machine looked like it would be fun to ride! She told me that maybe sometime when you and Daddy are here, he can ride me on it!

Rassie rocked me back to sleep and I felt SO good when I woke up! I was all smiles and chatter! I had a good snack--lunch---some turkey sticks and grapes. Then we got our shoes on and went for a long stroll. Even though I am still little and can't talk much, I know that Mississippi weather is very different from where I live! It is very hot here! We walked up to see Granny and Papa but they were not home. Then we just took a neighborhood stroll. By the time we got home, we were both ready for some water! After we cooled off, Rassie went to the kitchen to start cooking supper. I had fun with my Mississippi toys and I took some of them in the kitchen to play with.

I decided while supper was cooking that I wanted to go back outside! You know, Mommy how I go to the door and say "outside" with a little begging voice? Well, I tried that with Rassie and her heart just melted! I think I already have her wrapped pretty tight! Anyway, she took me out and held my hand and we walked down the street. You'll never guess what treasure I found? And Rassie let me bring it back to hre house! A rock!!!!!!! Now that I think about it, I don't know what happened to that rock---I haven't seen it since we got back! Maybe it has something to do with why she washed my hands when we got back inside!

I ate a very good supper--chicken, potatoes, carrots, string beans, and tomato.MMMMMMmmm!

Rassie wanted to clean the kitchen, but I talked her into playing with me in the den, after all, I have to go to bed soon! SOOOOOOOOOOOO....we played all kinds of games---ball, we read books, we played with the activity center and made everything move as fast as we could! I played with Thomas the Train. I learned something all by myself. If i turn the train over, I can turn the wheels with my hands! It is fun, too.

After Rassie talked on the phone with Mommy and Uncle Taylor, she told me it was time for my bath. We grabbed up one of the baby ducks and a new frog and starfish for the tub. My bath felt so good tonight since we got hot this afternoon! By the time we got through with all the bedtime "stuff" (and yes, I took my medicine like a gentleman!) I was ready for my milk, story, prayers, and bedtime. Mommy, don't be upset, but Rassie rocked me for about 5 minutes before she put me to bed! That was a treat for us both. I know because she told me and when she prayed she thanked God for letting her hold me and rock me!

Well, i guess Rassie needs some rest too so I will blow you a big KISS now and tell you I LOVE YOU! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMUUUUUHHHHHH!
Be safe flying, Mommy, and tell Mrs. Tressa that I said "Hey from Mississippi!"

Love your little Prince---Parker-man"


P.S. I did make it to Bermuda safely...around 2pm MS & MN time & 4pm Bermuda time! We just finished dinner & are about to visit! I will be headed to bed early tonight; and the best part is...10pm Bermuda time is 8pm MN time. Thank you Dear Lord. Can't wait to share more with ya'll tomorrow!

dropping Parker off...

Parker & I got on the 6am flight to Memphis this morning; what a trooper he was!!! Just as happy & carefree as could be. I was so impressed & so proud of him. He was a lot perkier than I was at 4am!

He was asleep right after we took off & slept most of the flight down to TN.

During the flight, I made out my 5 page "information" list for Rassie on Parker's routines, the items packed in his bags, etc. etc. etc.

Rassie was waiting for us at the Memphis airport at 8am & Parker was one happy little grandbaby! In two minutes he had already shown Rassie all of his tricks & grinned, laughed, waved his hands, jibber-jabbered as fast as those lips would move & given her kisses!!!

I, on the other hand, was not quite as put together & exhuberant with energy! After checking myself in for the flight back to MN at 10am, changing Parker's diaper & walking out to the car to help load everything & get Parker settled in, I lost it.

The tears came...Rassie had come prepared with the tissues & just hugged me. Meanwhile, Parker is making faces & flapping his arms as big as he can in the backseat! ha ha! This mama did not want to leave her son though. I said my final goodbye's & headed back into the airport to go back through security & try to catch the 10am flight back to Minne. I cried as I went into the airport, cried as I walked through security (which was easy breezy by the way because all I had was my purse!!! It was awesome!), & cried when I sat down at my gate. I even cried when the gate agent told me I wasn't getting on the flight. Called to check on Parker & cried when Clay & Tressa called to check my status. :)

So, did I get back to Minne you ask? Yes, I did. There was an angel for the gate agent on the 1:30 flight & I think my mama prayed enough times to get not only myself on, but all the rest of the standby's as well! :) The flight was booked full one hour before; I don't know how the heck I made it on.

While I was waiting for those several hours... this is where I sat (a quiet terminal) while I made phone calls (only 3 to check on Parker) & read some in my magazine.

Oh, this picture was taken this morning as Parker & I slowly made our way to our gate. I was trying to take our time so we wouldn't have to sit at the gate for long since we knew we already had seats!

...So, where is Carrie going you wonder? BERMUDA!

...Thanks to my dear friend, Tressa, who is treating myself & 2 other girlfriends to a trip to come see her! I am super excited about getting to see them & to get a TAN on the Bermuda beaches!!!! ...but this whole thing has been very emotional for me having to leave Parker for that long. I have never been away from him for even 24 hours! I'm going to miss both of my boys very much! Thank you Rassie for taking care of Parker for us though! He is in great hands & I know Parker will have so much fun playing in Grenada with everyone!

(Thanks for the shirt, Tressa! Still a little big, but I couldn't help putting him in it right before I left!)

My girlfriend Cristie & I are flying out together in the morning at 6am (so it's another "wake-up-at-3am-to-leave-at-4am" night). I am exhausted in case you wonder. I'm sure you don't feel sorry for me though! At least, I know Michelle doesn't! ha!

So, when Lacey & Clay came to pick me up from the airport...after we got home, Clay had a "happy" for me for the trip. He had gotten some new cds to load onto his I-pod so that I could take it with me! I was ecstatic! It lifted my spirits for the evening! (And also, when Rassie called to let us know how silly Parker-man was being it made me very happy! He hasn't fussed yet!)

I will post updates from Bermuda! Stay tuned! And if you're in Grenada with my baby, please take care of him! :)

Memorial Day Muffins & Memories

Happy Memorial Day!

We have had a great Memorial Day Weekend! One word to describe it: relaxing! Our activities included several trips to the park, yummy cooked dinners both last night & tonight, 2 movies, family chats, good workouts, a Culvers ice cream treat, a couple of errands & need to do things, & even a "sleep in past 7:00am day" (can you believe it?!) I've also been able to mark quite a few things off of my to-do list which makes me oh so happy!!

Aunt Lacey has been hanging out with us this weekend which makes it even more fun! Tonight, she put Michael Buble' on after our evening stroll at the park; Parker was totally relaxed & enjoyed 2 dances with his aunt before his bath! I've decided I've got to get his cd. It's definately my kind of music! Perfect for evening tunes or for when I'm scrappin' or blogging!


I only had to take about 16 pics to get this one of the two of us today (the best one out of all of them). The one shot that was beyond picture perfect of him (I mean, he's looking straight into the camera giving it his best grin & everything!) totally cut me out & is really dark. Aaagghh! You can't tell it in this photo, but the sky was totally blue today--gorgeous!

We started our morning with fruit & muffins!

warm, sunny days

Do you love warm, sunny days as much as we do?!

Have any idea what this means?! (besides the fact that we will weigh at least 1 pound more if & when we finish all of this candy!!)

Movie night at the homestead!! Yea! Such fun! It's been awhile since we've had one of those! Hope the movie is good.."Taken"...has anyone seen it? We've heard it's good & really suspenseful. We'll let you know! :)

Moments such as these...

Every day, I love to see the excitement from new sights light up your eyes!

Your smile is contagious; it makes everyone around you smile!

I love how confident you are in trying new things!

Your daddy & I always want to know what you're thinking...those wheels are constantly turning these days.

I love hearing your chitter chatter every day!

You are definately an observer like your daddy; you are perfectly content to sit & watch people (until you get "ancy" like your mom & decide to get up & do...then get ready people because it will be awhile before he sits again!!)

You love watching other young boys play; I can already see in your eyes you wanting to do what the big boys do...throw the football, ride the tricycle, jump high & run faster...it will all come in due time. Don't rush a single moment; it will pass before you know it.

I love your confidence & your attitude. You are not afraid to show what you like & dislike already!

Thank you for another fun day together! Moments such as these are the ones I live for! I love you & can't wait for tomorrow when you wake up so we can play some more! :) Sleep well my precious son!

Love,

Mama

Graduation Weekend in Texas

What a fun past week we have had visiting family in Texas! Kaylee, one of my awesome sistas ("in-law" for those of you who are confused!) graduated from Baylor University this past weekend in Waco, TX. We flew down on Friday & stayed through this morning.
Fun times hanging out in the hotel room...graduation day (let's not forget that Parker has officially christened the Baylor campus in 2 places! We accidently bought him the wrong type diapers so the first 2 days in Waco were an experience I'm sure the girls would have loved to have skipped --since Kaylee & Lacey were holding him both times it happened!:) ...busyness of helping Kaylee pack for the summer & her move ...driving to Houston ...Parker showing everyone his muscles & his "sweet eyes" (which the girls taught him this week!) ...Earl grey tea ...driving around Houston for hours ...fun new summer clothes for Parker ...Star Trek movie in Houston (Parker watched the entire thing!) ...Checkers & Rocking outside the Crackerbarrel ...dinner at Cheeves Saturday night ...our incredibly nice room at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Houston --didn't like the COLD halls though! ...Kaylee's rose Saturday night ... tea party at La Madeline's in Houston (I had delicious "Anne's cake"...can you guess what it was? I'll give you a hint...what food do I specifically talk about in this blog & everywhere else more than anything?) ...lunch at Spring Creek BBQ ...breakfast with family each morning at the Hampton Inn. SO thankful we were able to go & be a part of all of this!!!!

Clay, Parker & I were able to catch the first flight out this morning back to MN. It was a busy last several days with some late nights & early mornings so we're all a little pooped. We have had a fairly relaxing afternoon...I even got to snuggle Parker on the couch a little bit while he snoozed!
Parker with Aunt KK at the hotel room Friday afternoon! Gotta get in some good laughs & playtime!
Aunt Lacey & Parker in a serious game of checkers...can you guess where we ate Friday night?! :) One of our favorite places with great sweet tea!

That would be me taking a picture in the reflector mirrors outside the Crackerbarrel; Kaylee & Lacey are in the chairs behind me!
Lacey & Clay hanging out at the hotel room Friday night!
Parker sitting sweetly at graduation on Saturday

Proud Grandparents!!

Kaylee & her friends who came down from Houston to support her!!
Kaylee & Lacey (We missed you so much Ashleigh!!!)

Kaylee, Congratulations again!!! We are all sooo proud of you & know you are headed off to great things! Thank you for letting us be a part of your weekend! We can't wait to see you later this summer! We love you!!!


Parker was so excited about his dinner Saturday night; he was excited to have his very own plate with shrimp & other yummy food!
Nana & Poppie (aka The Nolens)
Yum...delicious salad!
Parker showing off to all the girls at the table! :) He was doing "the winner" (He also showed off his muscles & kisses!)
the Girls outside Cheeves Saturday night!
One of my favorite places of the Hampton...Where I stopped by almost every day on my way in from outside (Earl Grey tea..mmmm)
Ok, so other than the splattered bugs all over the windshield I LOVED this picture of Parker. He decided he wanted to drive to Houston on Monday!
This is what I did on the way to Houston...read a magazine while enjoying a moist, rich chocolate brownie from Chic-fil-a! :)



"All my bags are packed I'm ready to go..."

So now we're home, I've had a couple of hours of relaxation... it's time to hit the laundry & other duties hard! :) And then hopefully, off to bed a little bit early tonight!