Fourth of July

Josh is somewhere underneath the water being dumped out of the bucket

Meagan, Jeff, Josh and Nola

We have had a busy last two days. Monday night we met up with our sunday school class and had a cookout. We had a lot of fun and ate a lot of food. We didn't get home til really late and we got up really early the next day. On the fourth we went to Whirlin Waters and played in the wave pool and lazy river all day. It was a lot of fun and nice to be outside with some cool water nearby. Then we headed over to James Island to visit with Meagan and Jeff. We went to Fort Johnson, which is where the Grice Marine Lab and NOAA are to watch the fireworks. It was a great location because we could see the fireworks at Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, Patriots Point and The Navy base. It was a small crowd so we didn't fight any traffic. Again we got home late last night so we slept in a little this morning. It was a nice couple of days and I think we both enjoyed it.

VBS

Brave Belugas

I just finished vacation bible school. I worked with the four year olds. We had a lot of fun this week but I am exhausted.

Picnic for Two

Yesterday we went to the park and had a picnic. I tried some of Paula Dean's recipes. I also cooked a casserole last night from Paula Dean. All of the recipes were very easy and they came out delicious.
For the picnic we had a salmon salad sandwich with individual pineapple upside down cakes.

For the casserole we had a chicken and rice casserole. Now I have made a very simple verison of this before but her recipe tasted much better.

I modified some of the recipes so that I didn't put some things in b/c I didn't like them or added just a little of something but the end result was great. Try these out they really are time savers and they taste really good. Let me know how they work out for you.

Last week of summer classes

I am finishing up teaching Summer I. I have to teach Thursday night and my student give presentations on Tuesday night and I will officially have a break. It will be nice not to have to teach for a month and a half. We plan on going back home next month to visit. Josh is working basketball camp this week for some extra cash. I think he is enjoying it but basically he has to keep up with a group of 8-10 year olds all day.

Red Sox vs Braves

I went to my first major league game this weekend. It was the Red Sox and the Braves in Atlanta. There were probably equal if not more Red Sox fans at this game. It was kind of strange being in Atlanta and having the stadium shout "Let's Go Red Sox" and "Yankees suck". We sat up high but we were looking right down the third baseline so I could see really well. Here are some pics, the guy that is hitting is Ortiz. It was funny b/c when Ortiz, Yukelous (spelling??), would get up to bat the crowd starting cheering really loud (remember these are Red Sox not Braves). Anyway we had a lot of fun, minues the 1 1/2 dinner at Steak N Shake and the neverending bus ride home.

Maritime Festival

This past weekend we went to downtown charleston and spent the day shopping on King Street and the Market. We then walked down to the bay and went to the maritime festival. You could sign up for a 2 hour sailing trip later that day, so we did. It was a lot of fun and we ran into a couple we met through Meagan M. It was nice to have an entire weekend just to go and do things.

Riverbanks Zoo

We took the afternoon and went to Columbia to the zoo. It was only an hour drive. It really got me motivated to start some research up again. Now I just have to figure out who to contact. They had lots of great animals, elephants, lions, tigers, sea lions, gorillas, and lots of monkeys. We had a good time and we want to go back. They key is to go in the morning b/c that is when the animals are most active.

USC

We were in Columbia today and we drove by the University of South Carolina - Gamecocks. The school is in the middle of down town and very spread out. I don't think I would have liked going there. Here is a picture of their football stadium, kind of big. I can't imagine a college football game with that many people.

Myrtle Beach

This weekend I finally went to Myrtle Beach. I went with a few friends to the outlet malls and we ate at margaritaville. It is not like the one in New Orleans, this one is much larger with lots of interesting things. On the ceiling there is a hurricane and once every hour a weather alert goes off and the hurricane starts spinning faster and a bottle comes out the middle and fills up this large blender underneath it. Here is a picture of it.

Riverdogs Game

We have a minor league baseball team here in Charleston called the Riverdogs. They are a minor league team associated with the Yankees so of coures we like to go and watch them. We went to the game last week with the athletic department from CSU. I forgot my camera but I used my phone to take a few pictures. You can tell they aren't the best quality but it works. We are going in two weeks to Atlanta to see the Braves and Red Sox. (Josh will probably wear his Yankees cap). We are going with the university, they are chartering a bus and driving us there and back and paying for our tickets. We couldn't pass up a free trip.

Memorial Day Weekend

I have spent the last two days at the beach. Yesterday I went to Isle of Palms and today we went to Sullivan's Island. Sullivan's island doesn't have as many tourists so it was really nice today. We ate at Poe's tavern. I will have to take Josh there. He has been working a baseball tournament this weekend and he has to be there on Memorial day too. I think I am going to the beach with the girls again, much better than being at work. I start teaching Summer I this week, so my Tuesday and Thursday nights are booked for 5 weeks. I don't think it will be that bad.

Wannamaker County Park

Josh and I picked up subway yesterday and brought it to a nearby park and ate lunch. It was a really neat park, they had rental bike with bike trails, boating, vollyball, water spouts, picnic tables and lots more. They also have a water park that we want to try. I didn 't have my camera with me but we will be going back b/c it was really relaxing. Here is a pic of one of the water spouts kids play in.

Day at the Beach

Well, I did forget to take pictures of our get together last night. We had fun and ate lots of food. Today we decided to take it easy. We started off the day at the beach. We went to Isle of Palms which is about 35 mintues from our house. It is a great stretch of beach, mostly locals and not a lot of tourists. Then we went shopping and saw a movie (Over the Hedge). Suprisingly not that funny. We finished off our day of relaxation at Chili's for dinner. We use to eat at Chili's once a week when we lived in Hattiesburg but now there is only one Chili' s in Charleston and it is 30 minutes away so we never go. Anyway this was a fun relaxing day. Here are some pics of the beach, Josh playing in the ocean and of course of us laying out. (you may notice you don't get the full view of us).

Josh's 30th Birthday

Well Josh is the first one of us to get old. I still have a year and a half until I leave my 20's. I gave Josh the Mel Brook's DVD collection. Lots of movies, most of which I don't think are very funny but Josh does. Anyway we are having a few friends over tonight. We will eat and play some board games. I'll post some pics (if I remember to take them).

Maymester

I started teaching my 3 week animal behavior class today. It seems like it will be a fun class. I found that eventhough I have powerpoints about my lecture I tend to fill in extra stories from past experience and knowledge of animal behavior. I find this a very easy course to teach. I will definitely try and make this into a semester long class. Josh still has a week and a half of baseball left. We then will wait and see if they go the playoffs or something like that. I am sooo glad summer is here even if I am working everyday, I am at least off my noon so I can come home.

Finals

You know when I finished school I was so glad I would not have to ever take another test or final but now instead of taking them I have to give them. I have to say that I don't enjoy it too much. I don't mind making and grading the exams it is when students come crying to my office saying they have to get a certain grade. I have some sympathy but to some extent I wonder why they didn't make more of an effort throughout the semester to make a certain grade. Most times they don't do the extra credit and they don't turn in assignments. I don't change my grading or my policy at the end of the semester so if they don't pass then I just feel bad for them and they often blame me for their poor grade (go figure). I often comment throughout the semester I am more worried about their grades then they are. Well I can say they finally get it by the end of the semester b/c that is when they begin to worry. I guess I will just have to get a tougher skin and not worry so much.

NC

I went to Raleigh this past weekend for a conference but while I was there I got to visit with Kristin and Stef (from GCRL). It was great to catch up and meet Kristin's family. I didn't get a pic of us but I did get one of Mikaela and Mia (the dog). I didn't get one of Ella I guess she was sleeping. Anyway it was a nice trip.

Easter Day

This afternoon we went to Cypress Gardens and walked around. We saw lots of animals and we got to paddle a canoe around. Josh kept going right, left, right, left. Finally I had to help him out to keep the canoe going straight.
A little piece of movie info. Part of the Patriot was recorded at Cypress Gardens.

Easter Lillies for Easter

Josh bought me easter lillies this year for easter. Hopefully they will do like my moms and grow back each year.

end of the semester

well i have one more week of classes to teach and then i give finals. this semester flew by compared to the fall. i am busy getting ready for my maymester class in animal behavior. baseball is still in full swing. they play until mid to late may so i spend my weekends at games. the good news is that it is really nice summer weather so i don't mind being outside so much. next weekend i am going to raleigh, nc for a conference with some of the undergraduates at CSU. I will get the chance to meet up with Kristen (GCRL) and see her girls. I'll post some pics when I get back.

Road Trip

Today I took off and went with the baseball team to play Savannah State. So this is my first experience riding the team bus. Suprisingly, on the way there it was pretty quiet (I guess everyone was sleeping). So, we get to Savannah and they play at a very (how do I say this nicely?) impoverished field. So I set up camp with my chair and a book. You may ask, Why a book? Weren't you watching the game? Oh, did I mention we get there 2 hours before the game for batting practice and warm-up, so I had plenty of time to kill. Anyway, we lost the game and I got sunburned. The bus ride home with a bunch of guys after they lost was interesting. The first hour no one says anything. But during this time our bus driver takes us the scenic route out of Savannah so I really enjoyed seeing some of the old homes in downtown with the tree covered streets. After we stopped for a bite to eat they finally start talking. Now it is what you would expect from a bus full of guys. Lots of cutting up and story telling so I just sat back and listened. I tell you it is good for Josh to be able to joke around with the guys because I don't have the same sense of humor. Well, my experience on the road trip was ok, maybe next time I decide to go we will win and I can report on a different kind of bus trip. Sorry I didn't take any pics, but it was a bus with seats and people sitting in them.

Boone Hall Plantation

When Josh's parents were in town we went to Boone Hall Plantation. It was where several movies have been filmed, so you may recognize the long drive with the oaks. It was cold that day and we also went to the beach. We stayed long enough to take one picture. This was back in Feb. so the weather has changed a bit. Yesterday we hit a record high of 90.

Summerville Flowertown Festival

Each year our town has a festival where all of downtown is shut down and there are lots of crafts, food and music. It is set in azalea park so it is really nice. Josh and I went today and spent a few hours walking around. Here are some pics from the festival. You will see the tents, people, bagpipe players and a picture of us (I know, shocking.... I actually forgot my camera but I ran into someone I know and she had a camera to take a picture of us at the park).