Friday, July 31, 2009

WHEN THE MOON HITS YOUR EYE

LIKE A BIG PIZZA PIE...THAT'S AMORE

It was officially Italian day here in North Carolina. Not that every day isn't Italian day with Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Mario. But when I awoke this morning and went upstairs Nonna was fast at work with her hands elbow deep in the hugest bowl I have ever seen. She was making dough for bread, pizza and fried dough. I gained 10 pounds just watching her. When she was done mixing the dough she let it sit under a sheet to let it rise. Then she cut it up into small sections, placed them on a pan and put the pans under a sheet again to let them rise once more. Nonna then stretched some on pizza plates, bak
ed some for bread, and fried some smaller pieces and put sugar on top. Oh my they were scrumptious. We ate the pizza for lunch....and I even had pizza for dinner. You can't get pizza that delicious in any pizzeria. My mouth is watering just writing this.

After lunch, Tony, my cousins Alyssa, Billy, CJ, Mikey and I went out on Billy's boat for a fun day of tubeing. It was hot, hot, hot today. The sun beating down on us was almost unbearable on the water. And the bay water was like a hot tub. Luckily I got soaked just being in the back of the boat and it felt fantastic as we drove fast. The water was very rough because the winds were strong. Tony got a little sea sick. And believe it or not...I still feel like I am sitting on the boat...the room is rocking. I hate when that happens. It was a really fun day out at sea.


Halainah stayed at the house with Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Mario. They t
ook her swimming in the pool, which she loved. She took a nap with Aunt Bonnie in her bed. And by the time we got back she was rejuvenated and ready to play. When we left to get on the boat, Halainah cried...I think she thought we were going to the beach and not taking her with us. Tomorrow is a beach day so she will be very pleased. She is going to be very unhappy when we return to Jersey...as we all will. Our vacation has been tons of fun and only something we would have dreamed of.

Praise the Lord we still have 1 more week left.


Here is the big bowl of dough that Nonna was mixing. You literally could take a bath in it.

Nonna is separating the dough in smaller sections here.

Making the bread.

Pizza

Uncle Mario and Mikey fishing from the dock in our yard.

Halainah be silly!

Halainah hugging Marty, her stuffed zebra.


Aunt Bonnie, Halainah and Marty playing together.

Halainah eatting fruit snacks sitting on a case of Coronas.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

BEACH BUNNY

Halainah...our little Beach Bunny!


Today was another beautiful and hot day. The sun has been shining since we got here. And I am hoping that the weather remains this beautiful. I have heard that it has been raining non stop at home...and all I can say is that is stinky. Oh and hopefully we don't get hit with the rainy weather in North Carolina...so please keep it in Jersey.

We hit the sandy beaches again today. We loaded up all the supplies and piled in towards the ocean. It was perfect beach weather. It was very hot today so we were all in the water a bunch of times during the day. We had a picnic lunch with delicious sandwiches. Everything tastes better on the beach...must be the salt air. We are all in heaven and are sad at the thought of our vacation ending. We are nearing one week down and only one week left. But I'm not thinking about it because it is just way too sad.

Our little family of three...Tony, Halainah and myself, are so thankful for our Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Mario, for without them this vacation would not be possible. We love them so very very much. And it is so difficult to portray in words the love and gratitude we have for them. We owe them the world. I honestly don't know what we have done to deserve how much they spoil us. And I just feel that thank you is most certainly not enough. We love you Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Mario!


Cousin love...Alyssa kissing Halainah!


Halainah running towards the water...we just got to the beach!


Looking cute!


Happy in the water...my beach bunny!

Having a blast with cousin CJ!

Riding on a tube!

Riding the waves...Uncle Mario had fun pushing Halainah and CJ on the tube!


So Cute!
Uncle Mario and Halainah...this is such a beautiful pic. and now one of my favorites!

Splashing in the water with her Godfather...they are so in love!

Billy, Tony and CJ going out for a ride on the tube!

Getting ready to catch the wave!

Wipe Out!

This is our beach setup and it's most certainly the life!

Daddy and Halainah sitting in the sand by the water!

Nonno and Nonna...aren't they so cute!

It's hard being a beach bunny!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

BREW THRU

I could get used to this life...the vacation life in North Carolina. I just got out of the hot tub after enjoying some good company with my cousins and jumped into the outside shower. There is something that is just so refreshing about an outside shower. I feel rejuvenated and so refreshed.

Today was a low key sort of day. Tony, Halainah, my cousins Billy, Alyssa and I took a long drive to Walmart to check some things out. The Walmart was not impressive by any means here, it was very small. But it was humorous to us that whether we are in Jersey or North Carolina we still get stopped by many people. I think it was 5 or so comments today in Walmart about Halainah. But I do have to say that all of the locals here are very sweet and kind. One older man said, "she looks just like a beautiful doll. Y'all are so lucky to have each other." Tony and I said thank you than just laughed as we walked away saying to each other that it doesn't matter where we are. After Walmart we headed home and stopped at a Brew Thru. Ever been to one? It is a drive thru place to buy drinks...and you can buy a t-shirt if you want. But it literally had about 20 of those glass refrigerators that hold drinks. You drive up, tell them what you want, they bring it to you and you pay and drive thru...pretty neat.

It was another night of eating crabs for hours with family that gathered around the dinner table. I ate chicken of course. Tony hasn't had this much seafood...ever. But before we ate we went for a ride in Billy's boat...tons of fun. The bay is very shallow where we are staying so it took us a long time to get the boat out and back in. But it was well worth it once we were able to get going. I love being in the middle of the ocean with nothing but water all around...it's just so peaceful. Tomorrow is another beach day which is now Halainah's favorite kind of day.

I don't have many pics of today since I know most of you don't want to see the inside of a Walmart...but I have a few to share.

Thanks for following us on our vacation in North Carolina!


This is a view from the kitchen. The water here is so shallow so it was hard to get the boat in and out!

A little rainbow that we caught before dinner...so pretty!

Cousins, CJ, Mikey and Halainah. Halainah loves to play with both of her cousins and they are so good with her.

Cousins, Alyssa and Halainah...best buddies!

Nonna and Aunt Bonnie made fresh peas from the garden. Halainah LOVES them! You can see one on her chin!

Sitting around the dinner table eating crabs for hours with family!


Halainah couldn't sit for hours...hence her...get me outta here look!


Fine dining!


Much Love To All!!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

WIPE OUT

On the beach, you can live in bliss."

- Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys

We are simply having a blast in North Carolina. The weather has been so beautiful. It rained last night but we were all sleeping. By the time we got up the sun was shining once again. Just another perfect beach day. It has been very hot here. Almost unbearable to sit outside if you are not near a pool or the ocean. The beaches are very clean and the ocean water is very clear as well. We are all the way in the outer banks of North Carolina so it is very quiet and peaceful. It is perfect. Halainah has been a perfect Angel for us. She loves being the center of attention. And she most certainly is being spoiled on this vacation.

We decided today was another perfect day to go to the beach. So we loaded up the truck again and headed to a different beach this time. There were more people at this beach but we decided to stay anyway. Don't get me wrong...it wasn't packed by any means. The water was calm today and the waves rolled in slowly. Halainah was very excited to be at the beach again. She was a little too excited though. She grabbed one of her sand toys and took off towards the water. She tripped and wiped out face first into the sand. She got sand in her eyes, in her mouth and her ear was filled. Poor thing. She is a tough cookie but this wipe out was a little too much for her to handle. We took her to the water and washed her down. She was a little crabby at first but eventually she broke out of it and was living life to the fullest...beach style.

We grilled burgers and sausage sandwiches at lunch time...so delicious. I enjoyed an Amaretto Sour while soaking in the rays. Halainah played in the water and in the sand all day except when she took a little nap. I could get used to this beach life that is for sure. It's so refreshing to get away from it all. It has been simply carefree days for us here. The house we are staying in is called, A little bit of paradise. And it really has been like paradise here. We have been eating like champs and I will need to go on a crash diet when I get home. Tony has been eating like the rich and famous with seafood every night. We are enjoying every minute of every day and we are sad to think that at some point this glorious vacation will end.

Enjoy the pics. from today's day at the beach.

Halainah running on the beach as soon as we got there.

Wipe out! She ran too fast and tripped...sand was everywhere!

Cousins CJ and Mikey skim boarding!

Halainah holding onto mommy's finger...after the wipe out it took a little time to be brave again!

Brothers, Uncle Mario and Uncle John cooling off in the water!

The three of us...one happy family loving the beach!


I love this pic because Halainah and daddy look so in love (I look terrible)!

How cute are those little feet! Aunt Bonnie painted Halainah's toes!

What a cute beach baby!


Brave again...she forgot about the wipe out at this point!

Halainah loves the beach...such a happy little girl!

Hanging out at home after the beach. She is getting so tan and I cover her in 50 and 70 SPF!

Monday, July 27, 2009

BLOG HOPPING FROM NORTH CAROLINA

To my family and friends who are following us while on vacation...sorry but it was a very lazy day hanging out in the swimming pool. So there aren't too many pics. to share. I promise to make it up to you tomorrow.

To all visiting from the blog hop...welcome...thanks so much for stopping in. These blog hops are so much fun so I decided to join again this week even though we are on vacation. This weeks theme is favorite kid photos. I have so many favorites of my daughter Halainah. But I have narrowed it down to 2...hope you like them.

I actually wrote a whole post about this pic. called One Pea At A Time (click on the title if you want to read the post). Halainah loves vegetables and in this pic. she is enjoying a bowl full of peas. YUM peas!


Halainah looks just like a beautiful China doll in this pic. It was captured only 1 week after returning from China when we adopted her.

Thanks for stopping by...happy blog hopping!
MckLinky Blog Hop