Grace and Abby took turns walking Spike. Abby got to walk him inside the house.



While Grace took Spike for a walk outside.




We then headed down to the America Tobacco District in Downtown Durham. It is so beautiful down there. My office will be moving to this area at the end of August.









We then went to Brightleaf Square - by the old Durham Bulls Stadium (where the movie was filmed). We had lunch at a Mexican Restaurant and then walked around.

Wrightsville Beach - Spent 2 splendid nights with Jen and Jess and their families. I joined them Thursday after work.

Abby at the restaurant



Nice bed head Grace


Friday was absolutely beautiful. The boys went fishing and the girls went to the beach (seriously like 500 feet from their beach house deck). Abby looking for shells on the beach.


Grace, Abby and Ysabel playing at the beach



Jess and Grace taking a walk


Ysabel and Jen checking things out



Taking a much deserved rest


Jen, Jess and I went to downtown Wilmington when Rob and Shane came back from a pretty unsuccessful fishing trip.



Jen and Carol ~ I still cannot believe that our 20 year reunion is this year. There must be some mistake.



Jess and Jen


Shane sportin' his father's day hat. He is a trooper.

It was a 'Rogich' weekend (and my golf debut).

Jennifer Rogich is a high school friend. Her little sister Jess is married to Rob who is from North Carolina. Rob and Jess have an annual golf tournament to raise money for the North Carolina Hospice for a foundation set up for his dad. This is my first year in attendance.

Friday Night - Jess threw a surprise 40th birthday party for Rob.



Grace (Jess and Rob's oldest) - all the kids have the best eyes.




Abby (Jess and Rob's)


Ysabel (Jennifer and Shane's little angel) ~ Got to love that curly hair.



Saturday - My golf debut. Let me introduce to the people that got stuck with me: Rob, Shane and Mark. They were so kind and put up with my extremely mediocre game. Our team came in last, totally don't know how or why that happened.



The course was in Fuquay-Varnia. This was by far the most beautiful hole on the course. If memory serves me right I totally choked and cut the ball to the right. (This was a common theme for the day) Mark however carried the team (along with Rob then Shane).




Shane is showing off an enthusiastic dance. Rob is taking notes on what NOT to do.




According to Shane there is a tradition of wearing flag underwear (since it is flag day) and it is expected that you drop your shorts and show off your flag underwear.

(JEN - He is ALL yours!)





Shane reading to Ysabel before bed. Do I see a cheesy smile?



Shane and Ysabel





Rob and Abby

Hello - I got a hilarious email from my friend Amy who is on an active campaign trying to convince me to move back to MN. Loss of Teeth by State Statistic I found this hilarious. I was a bit surprised that the Dakota's were high on the list. But don't worry about me and my choppers - flossing and brushing daily.

It has been raining the last couple of days due to Alberto - no complaints as we needed it. It has now stopped and should be beautiful. This is great since I have a golf tournament (first time I have been out golfing in a LONG time) this weekend. My high school friend (Jennifer and Jess Rogich) will be in town. Super psyched to see their whole family.

Later

Saw the movie The Break-Up this afternoon. It was a pretty good movie. This weekend I have been busy running errands. Fun, Fun. It does help that the weather was beautiful and tooling around in a convertible does make all chores better.

On Saturday I got my change of address cards mailed (finally). I placed my order for my bedroom set and a living room chair. I ended up getting them from Haverty's (similar to a Gabberts for the MN folks). Some pieces get delivered this Friday, others will take longer.

Check out the spoiled dog. I was reading the paper and I turned around and couldn't believe my eyes. Spike is sacked out resting his head on the pillow. What a life.



Thanks for stopping - Carol

Hello - It has been a crazy week at work - Thank goodness we are almost to the weekend! My friend Mark was in town on business. Mark went to New Prague with me and I was good friends with his sister Lisa. We went to Lillie's Pizza in Raleigh on Wednesday night and went out for sushi tonight. I never tried sushi prior to my move to NC but have really grown to love it.

I had a fabulous (but short) visit to MN this past weekend. I came into town to attend a wedding. I grew up next to The Moeller's. I babysat their three children. Their youngest daughter, Katie, got married on Friday. It was absolutely beautiful.

Bride and Groom:



Katie and her daughter Emily



Here I am with Kevin and Peter.



Jean and Mike - Poor Jean had to put up with me showing up at her door who knows how many times a week. I first was attracted over there since they had a cat that had kittens. I then was over there non-stop to play with the kids. It was my home away from home.




In between the wedding and the reception we stopped by Greg and Becky's house. Greg and Becky were not home but I got to see David, Carissa, Ben and Megan.






Here I am with mom and dad




Here I am with my college roommate Kim. We caught up over lunch before I went to the wedding.



After the wedding I met up with some high school friends - Jill and Andrea. I cannot believe we have our 20 year reunion in two months.



Saturday - I had breakfast and lunch with mom and dad. My mom and I went on a long walk. I was then off to Eagan to catch my nephew Sam playing baseball.





Jean and Marie were at the game.



Tom and JT were in Big Lake at a tournament. I didn't get to see them this visit.


I was then off to Uptown to help out at The City Pages Beer Festival. Do I know how to pick charity work or what? I helped set up the Finnegan's booth. It was a beautiful day and it was jammed packed with people.

Finnegan's is the ONLY non-profit beer company in the world. My college friend is the one woman beer company. Her foundation has given back over $50,000 back to the MN community. She primarily focuses on ending poverty. If you have not tried the beer - try it! It is only sold in MN.




After the beer festival I met up Karla, Buffie and Becky Balzer at Bar Abilene. Man I love their tableside guacamole.






Sunday -

I was in the Grand Old Days Parade (on behalf of Finnegan's). I also stopped by a booth in honor of my friend I lost to skin cancer. It was so great to catch up with the family.