July... Come and Gone

OK, so we definitely recognize the fact that we are HORRIBLE at this whole blogging thing, and we have overused our excuse that we're just too busy to keep updating. We think we're also a little spoiled in that we get to see Rorey, laugh with her, and watch her grow, that we often forget you cannot see her as well. So here's our update for July and hopefully you will not have to wait until September to hear about August.

July was a good month for our family. It began with the return of Rorey, Leigh, and Kelsey (Leigh's sister) to North Carolina. Andrew had been back for a few weeks and was ready for the women in his life to return (not to be forgotten Emma and Chaco as well). Andrew spent a week cleaning the whole house top to bottom, only to literally have a trailer unloaded in the front room (we're just now finally getting everything cleared out and organized). Leigh's sister Kelsey joined Leigh to help with the drive and once again... Kelsey was a phenomenal support from climbing in the back to hold Rorey's hand to sitting in a motel room in Arkansas with two dogs and a one month old baby while Leigh was with the car getting fixed. In the end they made it safely back, and Rorey was introduced to the wonderful world of our cabin on a hill.

After a couple of weeks of being put on tour around Boone visiting people in Andrew's office and others at church (she's kind of a big deal, but don't worry, we're not letting her get a complex...), we found ourselves in a car driving back to Dallas for Annie's wedding (Leigh's best friend, Andrew's best friend, Rorey's adopted aunt, former roommate, and pretty much the glue of our family on more than one occasion). Fortunately for us this drive was a little less eventful than Leigh and Kelsey's drive to North Carolina. We were also fortunate that it rained most the way, which meant that it was cooler in the car equaling a calmer Rorey. One thing we learned on this drive... Rorey is amazing on road trips... up to about the 7.5 hour mark, beyond that she will howl, scream, kick until somebody climbs in the back to hold her hand or give her some type of physical contact. Unfortunately Chaco's love and affection was not sufficient for her.

We were in Dallas for just under a week but it was great to be home. Andrew once again brought his bike and had some good rides, despite the soaring temperatures. Most of the week was spent with family on Leigh's side and it was so great for them to get to see Rorey (it is amazing how fast babies grow and go from sleep all the time to oohing and ahhing and playing). She was also indoctrinated in the way of women spending time helping prepare for Annie's wedding, attending her bridal shower, the BBQ the night before and the wedding reception, and even a little dancing. We have realized that she is quite the social baby and at most these types of things we hardly have her with us because everybody wants a chance to hold her, and lets face it, we like to share the joy we have found in our lives with Rorey.

Sadly, our time in Dallas this time was shorter and it was soon time for us to be back on the road to North Carolina again. We stopped in Birmingham to stay with our friends the Wrights, where we celebrated Andrew's birthday a day early with to go cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.  The next day we were back on the road (this will be we think the 3rd or 4th year we have spent Andrew's birthday traveling somewhere). When we finally got home, we celebrated Andrew's birthday with mashed potatoes (don't worry Vanalee, Leigh made him eat meat too), watched a movie, and went to bed early.

The next week was really spent doing not much of anything. We realized that it was just a week until Andrew began training for his assistantship at App State, so we tried to spend as much time as we could together. We decided that every night we would watch a movie (we have since finished the Ocean's Trilogy, Bourne Trilogy, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and are currently considering starting the Harry Potters). We also took a road trip to Asheville (civilization for us, they have a REI, Babies R' Us, Target, and Sam's Club) where we bought a tent so that we can now attempt to go camping, as well as became members of Sam's Club (we are actually "Business" members since Leigh is a licensed CNA in North Carolina... which basically translates we can get in at 7:00am if we ever wish the make the two hour drive just to shop early!).

Well the summer has flown by and we cannot believe it is gone. Andrew is back in training, and in just a few short weeks school will be starting again. It has been a roller coaster of a summer and it's not quite finished, we still have a few more adventures planned, and really, we wouldn't have traded the last two months for anything! So that's our update, and now here are the pictures:

After two days trapped in a car and hotel rooms, everyone was ready to be home.

 Kelsey laying out the ground rules for Chaco seeing Rorey... for whatever reason, Andrew laughs out loud every time he sees this picture.

Chaco accepted Kelsey's terms and was able to see Rorey.

Our little sultan, once again what happens when Leigh and Kelsey are a little delirious and play dress up with Rorey!

Still no formal family pictures... Rorey was a little less than happy here... she would rather have been asleep.

One of her favorite napping spots... Leigh's shoulder.

One of many of Rorey's "girl" experiences during the week. With Hannah, Annie, Lindsay, and Leigh at Annie and Brad's BBQ the night before their wedding. 

Another picture at the BBQ with friends... once again, Rorey in a new set of loving arms... story of our lives. We joke that Rorey has probably been held by hundreds of people now. 

Rorey at the wedding with Uncle Zach and Aunt Kelsey (aka All Star Baby Sitters this week).

Rorey with her Lola (Leigh's mom Jan) at the wedding. Probably two of the best dressed women there that night!

Rorey with Leigh and Annie at Annie's wedding.

Does this count for a family photo?

Andrew's first dance with Rorey!

Brad, Annie, Leigh, and Andrew

Rorey hits the dance floor with Brad, Lindsay, Annie, and Hannah.