The Blessing of the Fleet

I just love the month of October. It has so much to offer Bubba and I. For example, the first weekend of October, every year, is The Blessing of the Fleet. This is an event that takes place literally 3 doors down from our house, at the St. Clements Island Museum. It is put on by the 7th District Optimist Club and it never disappoints. Since we've lived in Colton's Point, going on 6 years now, we've thrown a party or get-together of sorts to coincide with the event. Though we didn't party it up like we have in the past, we did have a great time! Thank goodness for the nice weather. It allowed us to stay outside the majority of the day. Which was nice since we've already started packing up our house for the upcoming renovation.

You know it's been a good day when you're two brothers-in-law have had a couple drinks and make their way to the kitchen to have a good old fashioned cook off. And their competition item? Crab balls! I think we all reaped the benefits of that one! #delicious #drunkcrabballs

A beautiful day for the Blessing of the Fleet!

Taking a ferry ride to the island with my mom and sister.

One of Bubba's little cousins enjoying the boat ride back from St. Clements Island.

Bubba's homemade low country boil. #spicy #numnum

P.S. - How cute is my nephew, Zack, rocking out to The Sam Grow Band?! Oh I just love this sweet baby boy!

Post by Mindy Hill.

Post by Mindy Hill.

Life Lately

As a child, there isn't much better than "summer vacation". Three long months, warm weather, no alarm clock...a child's slice of heaven. And then time passes you by and you're suddenly an adult. Working through every single season, five days a week. PAINFUL. Summer somehow loses it's magical appeal when you're an adult, but if you work it just right, you can still make your summer a fun filled one, even if you have to go to work the next day.

With that said, I thought I'd share with you all some of the things I've been keeping busy with this summer!

We kicked things off with a family trip to Jacksonville, Florida to watch my not-so-little brother graduate from the University of North Florida. You can see more photos and read more about our week HERE.

Watched the Orioles beat the Nationals during the battle of the beltway at Nationals Park on Memorial Day! More about that one, HERE.

Celebrated with this handsome little fella, who turned the big 5 in June!

Took a totally awesome trip back in time and went to see 98*, Boyz II Men and the New Kids on the Block in Philadelphia. Please note: we are dressed in full 90's attire, this is NOT our normal style.

We had a small get together for the 4th of July at our house with Bubba's family.

We welcomed our new nephews and Godsons, Zack and Eli, into the Church through their Baptism at the end of July. Seriously, how cute are all of these Smith children?!

Finally, this past weekend I had a BLAST with my sister at the VH1 Mixtape Festival in Hershey Park, PA. Oh, did I mention I got to meet Taylor Hanson?! More on this encounter later... :)

What do you like to do during the summer months for fun? 

Concerts? Vacations? Parties? Leave a comment and share some of your summer fun!

Independence Day at the PBC

Did everyone have a happy and healthy Fourth of July? We sure did! It was certainly more low-key than years past, but sometimes the impromptu visits from family and friends and quiet evenings at home are the most memorable.

Here are some photos from our Independence Day at the Point Breeze Cottage and how we decided to celebrate our freedom and the land that we love.

During a last minute search for a red, white, and blue scarf for little Harper, all I could come up with was this red and white polka dot ensemble. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but it worked! 

I never thought I'd be a dog lover, but this little beagle stole my heart!

This was the best "posed" shot I could get of her with the American flag...

Bubba's older sister [who recently welcomed twin boys into the world] brought her family down to relax at PBC for the holiday. Proud big brother and sister, Jake and Nora, decided to take a dip in the Potomac River under the watchful eye of Uncle Bubba.

Of course, Harper didn't want to let them out of her sight either...

My favorite picture from the weekend. Little Miss Nora, cuddling up with Uncle Bubba for some downtime and a Princess movie in between swimming, dinner, a walk around the neighborhood, and fireworks!

Does she look like Droopy here or what?! Harper was over it all by the end of the day.

I wish I had of captured more pictures to remember what a nice and relaxing day we had, but these will have to do. Sometimes it's better to live in the moment and take a mental photo rather than keeping a camera in  your face all day. :)

I hope everyone out there had a great Independence Day too!

Birthday Wishes!

A very happy birthday shout-out to our first nephew, Jacob, who turned 5 years old today! 

You are smart, thoughtful, an excellent big brother, and we just LOVE you so much!