First Durham Bulls Game

August -

Grandma and Uncle Ben come to visit! Grayson was much more interactive since Grandma's last visit. She was only able to stay for a little while, but Ben was able to hang out for a few extra days. We all went to Grayson's first baseball game! The USA Olympic team headquarters is in nearby Cary, NC and the team was playing some exhibition games in Durham against Canada before they both left for China. It was a beautiful day and a great experience! The park is really nice, although it doesn't look like the park from the movie Bull Durham anymore due to the upgrading of urban ballparks as a centerpiece to revitalizing downtown areas. Actually, they probably didn't even film the movie here in Durham. Grayson still doesn't quite have the head control to make a collared shirt look right, but it's adorable.

Later the 4 of us went to play golf. Uncle Ben and Dad played while Mom and Grayson walked the course. She made sure to talk strategy, pin placements, and work on Grayson's mental approach as we all enjoyed the sunshine. At least a few times she was overheard telling Grayson, "Okay, did you see what Dad just did there? That's a great example of what NOT to do." Apparently, Andra really wasn't supposed to be allowed to walk the course with Grayson due to insurance reasons - which makes sense. It was still a great time and we can't wait until we can take Grayson back to actually play.

Two Month Collage

Two months old and Mommy has some fun with her new camera...

4th of July Parade & Fireworks

There was a fun parade on July 4 and walking up and down Main St. was nice. Grayson's new baseball cap helped shield the sun from his little face. We ate some delicious seafood at a popular place on the water. Evan ordered some house specialty drink that came in a little plastic skull. Gigi didn't realize until about halfway through the meal and was very startled to see Evan innocently sipping red liquid from a straw coming out of a skull. Sitting on the beach to watch the fireworks was a really nice way to end the holiday. It was a very relaxing week and it was so good to see all of the family.

4th of July Week

July 4 at the beach

All of the Schwenk's and Dyer's made the trek to Duck, NC for some fun family time in the sun! It was hard to tell if Elliot liked the pool or the ocean more, but she sure looked cute in her bikini. She made an adorable turtle when Uncle Evan and Uncle Ryan buried her in the sand. Gigi made sure to keep Grayson out of the sun, not that it took much cajoling to get her to hold him. Tylan, Evan, and Ryan enjoyed some competition out on the tennis courts, although listening to the large family arguing and in turn apologizing to them on the court next to them was much more entertaining. We rented some bikes, which made everyone feel like they were little kids again. Even Gigi got in on the action! We were also lucky enough to take everyone to our favorite burger place - Five Guys. It's kind of the East coast In&Out burger. Even Andra likes it!

As with most Schwenk family gatherings, the evenings were full of games and laughs. Jodi was especially pleased when she recalled a song by Neil Diamond about a steamboat called the Robert E. Lee that she danced to back during her Encore days...after which Evan proceeded to make fun of for the rest of the week (with jazz hands!). We tried to play Axis and Allies, a new strategy game Ryan got for Christmas, but when it took almost two hours just to set up, everyone agreed that spending time on the beach or playing simpler games like Guesstures, Catch Phrase, and cards were better ideas. Of course, Ryan made sure to keep all of the pieces organized in their own ziploc baggies. If only he would be as neat around the house as he is with board games.

Where we're going, we don't need roads...

Okay, so we've decided to try and double team this blog-thing and do a little "Marty McFly"-action. We're going to go through the last year and recap what's gone on, including the pictures that went along with the events. Andra will supply the pictures and some of the memories she wants to include, while I put my crazy memory to work to pull out some tidbits and anecdotes. It will be much like the new Cherry Dr. Pepper. Just like the original you know and love (Andra), but now with an extra smooth flavor (courtesy of yours truly). So, please enjoy as we recap all of our lives with a little more hindsight than usual.

Also, not to skip too far ahead, but I am in Boston this summer for an internship while Andra and Grayson are holding down the fort in Durham. We pray that the summer goes fast and that we can each enjoy the weather and lean on friendships for the next several weeks.

Ryan

G&G

Grandpa and Grandma come to visit!!! It's mid-June, and although Grandma was there for Grayson's birth, she returned with Grandpa a month later to see his first grandchild. We were much happier to have him there in person - he sent along a balloon when Grayson arrived that would play a very annoying in a stuck-in-your-head kind of way whenever anyone brushed up against it. Well, with cousin Elliot there, you can be sure that the song played often.

Anyways, he was very snuggly with both Grandma and Grandpa, probably because every time he opened his eyes, the flash from a camera was going off! There was a lot of discussion about how much he resembled Andra's younger brothers. I still think he gets his good looks from me because his mom's still got her good looks! (Yes she'll read this, and yes, she's shaking her head right now. Love ya babe!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

It is hard to believe that Grayson is 6 1/2 months old and that tomorrow is Christmas. Grayson is experiencing many of his firsts this holiday season. His first Christmas card picture, Christmas eve service, Chrismas morning, Santa experience etc.. But, one of my favorites will be the reading of the Christmas story with his aunts, uncles, grandma and grandpa on Christmas Eve. How thankful I am that we get to spend this holiday together. How blessed we are to be with our families. I never want to forget how God sent his son into this world. What a beautiful still and quiet night it must have been. Mary comforting a crying little one, Joesph asleep trying to recover from a long journey and the rest of the world clueless of the miricle that has just taken place. In that still and quiet moment, peace reigned supreme. God's gift to his children. One I am excited to share with Grayson this holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

Love - Ryan, Andra and Grayson