Snowshoe, WV!

Thursday, myself, my wife and the Little Olive took a quick vacation to Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort in WV. It was the first trip of any distance for the Little Olive. I'd never been there, but my wife attended a quick work conference there a few years ago. Needless to say, it was a new adventure for all of us.



Road trip! We took some hardcore back roads to get there. The GPS failed us once again. Just think of the movie "Wrong Turn" and you'll get what I'm saying.



The Little Olive was amazed. She'd never seen a country road so deep in the roots of Appalachia.



We finally arrived and my wife got her picture in the giant chair that Snowshoe's so famous for.



Each night we went to dinner in the village. My favorite meal came from The Junction where I had a new york strip steak and an amazing side of mashed potatoes.



My wife snapped this outstanding sunset picture when she visited the jacuzzi at dusk.



The first night there was a bit of a disaster. We were all frustrated with the drive and then we got to see (and hear) our room. That's right. We got to hear our room.

Let's start with the positive. It was clean. It had a balcony, fireplace and a view of the mountains, just like my wife requested.

The negatives? The balcony overlooked the roof of a neighboring hotel, the mountains could be seen if you leaned over and looked to the left. The place was tiny so we tripped over anything and everything. And worst of all, the air conditioner sounded like a 747 taking off every single time the thing came on... and it came on every 5 minutes.

We complained and were moved to a condo at no extra charge. The squeaky wheel gets the oil!!!



After a relaxing night in the new room we took a trip to the pool. The Little Olive stayed on the sidelines and relaxed a little more.



Then we drove to the lake and had a beerewskie. Very pretty.



A quick elevator picture shows a happy wife and a deep in thought Little Olive. Ok... maybe she's just a little tired.



The second morning we woke up to a beautiful scene. The fog had settled into the valley below our condo. This is a picture of the rolling hills of Appalachia at their finest.



Even the Little Olive enjoyed it!



My wife and I took a ride to the lake on the ski lift. We left the Little Olive in the condo. Haha. Tricked ya! We rode at different times so one of us could stay with her.



We took the Little Olive out to dinner and stopped to see the weekend's big festivities at Snowshoe... they were have a mountain bike race the entire weekend. I took this clip of the junior circuit.



The night before we left all three of us relaxed by the fire...



with a beautiful sunset.


Snowshoe turned out to be a success! Despite the difficulties getting to and from, it was a great time and a superb first family trip!

All You Need is Love

Just a thought.

7th Inning Stretch

The Pittsburgh Pirates have become relevant. Therefore, my wife and I tune in every night to watch Bucco Baseball while taking care of the Little Olive. When they broadcast the seventh inning stretch, I (sometimes we) sing to her and she smiles with joy.

Ok. Not really. She never smiles.

I can't figure out why?

MMMM....

Check out what my fantastic wife made for dinner.

It's Curry Chicken Salad from Paula Deen!

One of the best meals she's ever made... and that says a lot.

It's July 10, 2011 and...

... the Little Olive is one month old.

Visitors

This weekend the Little Olive had a bunch of visitors.



On Thursday evening Great Uncle D. and Great Aunt N stopped in from California for a visit.



Friday evening Paw and Pippa stopped on their way home from vacationing in North Carolina.



This was Paw's first encounter with the Little Olive and she really checked him out.



Grandmom and Pap stopped over on Saturday afternoon. This was also Pap's first visit with the Little Olive.



Grandmom with a confident smile.

We had a great time and we're looking forward to more visitors in the future. Come on down. We'll be here!

Burping

The Little Olive can burp with the best of 'em.

She makes the cutest faces as we encourage her.



We pat her on the back.



We bounce her up and down.



We pat her on the back again and she lets one rip.



She gets tired after all that burping.

2011 WVU Basketball Highlight Video

I'm not sure when this came out. We've been a little busy as of late. :)

Here you go, however.

The Catnip Plant!

Our cats have had a tough time dealing with the arrival of the Little Olive. One is losing his mind, the other is avoiding us at all costs.

Last week our veterinarian friend, Big Mac, stopped by to visit the Little Olive for the first time. Instead of bringing a present for the baby, she brought one for the cats. Check it out. It's a catnip plant.

Great idea. Seriously.

Thanks a ton, Big Mac.