The Moffos Take New England: Day One

I worked a half day today (which was so busy...this week at work has been insane) before heading to Logan Airport to pick up my first guest, Brian. Let me just say something about Brian. He's awesome. No really. I know a lot of you out there have really nice, really sweet, really funny brothers, too, but Brian is just great. I look up to him so much. He helps people every day in his job as a firefighter in Columbus, Ohio. He has strong values. He's smart and interesting. Very knowledgeable about sports. An excellent artist. A good neighbor and friend. He's just...awesome! Okay, I'm going to stop now because I know if he read this (Brian: are you reading this?), he would think I was being cheesy. But I don't care! I love my brother!



And here he is, obliging me in a photo op at Logan.

We didn't do anything too exciting today. Mostly errands, really. (Sorry, Brian! I have been too busy this week to do them!) We dropped off his suitcase at my house, I gave him the grand tour (which took all of 4 minutes), then we headed to the grocery store for supplies for the week. We came back to the house, unloaded the groceries, and watched a little "Family Feud." Then, we walked over to the Cambridgeside Galleria so he could go to the ATM and I could buy face wash at CVS. We stopped at Petco, too, before heading home. (See, I told you it wasn't exciting!)

Tyler came home from work and I made dinner (shrimp penne in a tomato cream sauce, tossed salad, and garlic bread) for the three of us. We watched "The Daily Show," "The Colbert Report," and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" before I proclaimed it 'time for bed.'

Hopefully, Day Two will be a little more interesting. Mom and Dad arrive tomorrow!

MIT In The Morning

The Moffos Take New England: Prologue

It took me nearly three months to finish blogging about my Myrtle Beach vacation. I promise you: this vacation will be blogged about in a timely manner. Promise. See, now it's out there, so I have to!

My parents, Don and Carol, and brother, Brian, are making their way up to Boston for a week's vacation and I can't wait! Friday through Monday will be spent here in Boston...mostly introducing Brian to the city (he's never been here) and revisiting some sights that my parents want to see again (they've been here a few times). On Tuesday, we'll be heading up the coast of Maine to Portland, stopping in all the little quaint seaside towns along the way. On Wednesday, we'll make our way over to New Hampshire, most likely enjoying the fall foliage (it's gorgeous this time of year in New England). Thursday, Vermont. Friday, Western Massachusetts and just a dip into Connecticut. Then, it's back to Boston for a few more days before everyone flies home.

Stay tuned!

Swamped

Work is kicking my butt right now. I have so much to do before my vacation starts this Friday at 12 noon. Will I get it all done?

Stay tuned...

Back...

...and better than ever!

I have been on blog hiatus for entirely too long now. Just wanted to let you know that I am still here. Alive and kicking.

Vacation: Day Twelve

Monday, July 7th

I spent the morning at my mom and dad's house before Maggie drove Tyler and I to BWI for our afternoon flight. Sigh. It's always great to go on vacation, but it's always great to come back home, too.

Vacation: Day Eleven

Sunday, July 6th

The drive back north from South Carolina to Pennsylvania felt longer than on the way down (doesn't it always?). We were all royally pooped from our vacation and ready to just take it easy. Luckily, Tyler and I had planned in a few extra days in Pennsylvania before heading home to Boston. It was a good chance to hang out with my parents! Dad cooked out on the grill for me, Mom, and Tyler: his specialty!



Dad, manning the grill



Smiley Tyler



One of the few things I crave about Pennsylvania: Yuengling beer, along with Amish macaroni salad and potato bread, are my PA staples. Mmm...

Vacation: Day Ten

Saturday, July 5th

Wow, I went an entire day without taking photos! You'll have to settle for text only on this post. Sorry!

The last morning at Myrtle Beach was very busy. We got up early, packed our bags, sorted out the beach towels and suntan lotion, and then...then, it was time to say goodbye.

Which made me really sad.

I started crying when we all hugged each other and said things like 'we should do this again' and 'when are you coming up to visit us' and 'i had such a great time.' Sigh. Maggie saw the tears in my eyes and immediately came over to hug me. Then, I really lost it! I felt so loved and accepted by the Carey family. I'm not even "one of them" (yet) and they made me feel right at home. If Tyler and I do get married, I couldn't ask for a better extended family.

Vacation: Day Nine

Friday, July 4th

Independence Day was our last full day in Myrtle Beach, so we tried to squeeze in as much as possible into our last 24 hours there.



Most of the family spent the entire day at the beach, soaking in the sun and fighting the crowds. You wouldn't know it by the photo above, but the beach was actually very crowded.



Here's Carey, doing her best Pam Anderson impression.



This photo of Kathleen and Liam cracks me up because Kathleen is oblivious to her sweet little baby boy eating a handful of wet icky sand! Kathleen, 3 o'clock!



Aunt Beth helping Kenzie and Megan Elizabeth search for shells.



July 4th was also a special day because we celebrated two birthdays: Tyler's Uncle Dan (who turned I-don't-know-how-old) and Megan Elizabeth (who turned 6). Here's Megan Elizabeth in her birthday finery (so cute)!



The whole family decided that our last night in Myrtle Beach, no one would have to cook for the troops. We made the trek out to Rioz, a Brazilian BBQ joint that was so so good! They had the most massive salad bar and came around to all the tables with big skewers of meat for everyone to try. I don't think Matt understood the concept; he thought he had to finish the meat already on his plate before the next waiter came around. He was stuffing chicken and ribs into his mouth so fast, I thought he was going to choke! Tyler had to tell him to calm down. The meat's not going anywhere, buddy!



On the way into Rioz, I spotted a monkey in the parking lot! If any of you know me or Tyler, you know how much we adore all primates. To see one in person was amazing. This was a little helper monkey (his owner was in a wheelchair) and definitely not the nicest little guy. I think he was afraid of us (rightfully so), but very cool anyway. He even had his own stuffed monkey to play with...how funny is that?



Ben and Leah, Tyler's cousins and two very sweet kids. They were both so much fun to hang out with.



Group shot after dinner. From left to right: Megan Elizabeth, Beth, Leah, Mechelle, Kathleen, Liam, Chris, Bern, and just a wisp of Linda



What a great photo of Maggie and Carey!



Manly men: Tyler, Bill, Matt, and Justin pose for the camera



After dinner, some of the folks stayed back at the house (including Liam and his Grandpa Bern, above), but most of us headed down to the beach for the 4th of July fireworks. I tried to take photos of the festivities, but my camera crapped out on me. Sorry! After the fireworks, it was time to go back to the house and start packing. Boo hoo...vacation is over!

Vacation: Day Eight

Thursday, July 3rd

Day Eight was so stinkin' hot! Growing up in Texas, I survived my share of 100-degree plus temperatures, but I've been away from the South for 14 years now. I forgot just how hot it really can get! Phew! Thank God for the ocean.



After spending the morning at the beach...swimming in the ocean, taking a snooze on my beach towel, chatting with Tyler's relatives, reading "The Virgin Suicides"...a few of us decided to play mini-golf in town. There are about 400 mini-golf courses to choose from in Myrtle Beach; we settled on Mutiny Bay. Something about the pirate theme drew us in. Argh mateys, now check out me photos below!



Steven and Matt at the entrance to Mutiny Bay. Love the fluorescent blue waterfall. Very realistic.



One of many corny signs throughout the course.



Woo hoo! That pirate mannequin is quite the ladies man. Kathleen, Carey, and Leah all secretly had a crush on him.



The start of the course. Let the games begin!



Matt balances delicately on the edge to sink in a ball.



Such a mom: Kathleen multi-tasks by playing the course and keeping score for the rest of us! (Smart, too...check out that sun hat!)



You'll have to excuse Leah. She's a little shy.



Carey concentrates on getting a hole-in-one.



Steven surveys the scene.



After Steven demolished us all (he's really good at mini-golf), a few of us had to have an Icee. I told you it was hot! Do you think Leah, Matt, and I could become Icee spokesmen? We're cute, right?



After mini-golf, we came back to the house to relax, cool off, and get ready for a much more serious game: "Battle of the Sexes." Let's just say that the girls kicked butt!

Another fun day at Myrtle Beach!