We recently got a GoPro Hero 4 camera so I've been having some fun putting together short videos. This is from a recent weekend at my parents' lake house in Bumpass, Va.
And, there really was a snake in the water.
We went to St. John last month and that video is coming soon.
We spent Columbus Day weekend at my parents' lake house to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving.
It was an excellent opportunity to wear out the dogs, especially Tucker.
Now, let's hold Tucker back a little.
So Sandy can get a head start.
But here comes Tucker...
It was a pretty day at the lake.
Troy loved it too.
Earth
It’s been an interesting week in our neck of the woods. On Tuesday, while sitting in my fourth floor office building, it moved. Well at least it moved back and forth. It was my first experience with an earthquake. Ironically, the epicenter of the earthquake was in Mineral, Va. which is only a 10 minute drive from Bumpass, Va. where my parents own their lake house. I think the news reports would have been much more interesting had it occurred in BumpAss over Mineral.
Wind
We are expecting Hurricane Irene to make landfall in my town this Saturday. Our state commonwealth has already been declared to be in a state of emergency. We have been through a few hurricanes here before. Hurricane Isabel arrived in 2003 and spent our time doing this. A few years ago, we relieved stress caused by Hurricane Hanna by doing this. The easiest time for us was with Hurricane Bill (not so much).
After work, I plan on filling my car with gas, buying some water and beer. We have a generator so in the very likely event we lose power, our beer frozen things will remain cold. In 2003, we lost power for about five days. It took me up until the fifth day, last hour to stop flipping light switches when I moved from room to room. Some habits are hard to break.
Fire
After a ridiculously hot July, we’ve been experiencing quite pleasant temperatures this past week and to give our A/C and wallet a break, we’ve had the windows open. This morning I woke up to the smell of smoke in the house. The Great Dismal Swamp located about 20 miles south of my home has been on fire for several weeks. Despite their best efforts, firefighters have not been able to put out the fire and so far 5,500 acres have burned and continue to burn.
It’s unrelated news, Troy started real school yesterday. He was only there for a hour and parents were invited to stay.
One advantage of seeing a “daycare baby” make the transition to pre-Kindergarten is that they’re used to the drill of sitting still, paying attention and more or less following the classroom rules.
Today was his first full day and I snapped a few pictures before we left this morning. This clearly demonstrates his impatience with our photo shoot.
Let's hope we don't lose power for too long this weekend and all the trees stay where they're supposed to in the backyard.
Continuing on the road trip spree we’ve been on since Cary's graduation, we traveled to the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Friday morning for our friends’ Jay and Laura’s wedding the following day.
Many groomsman including Tim were staying in the same house as us. Even the groom stayed with us the night before the wedding. He was rather relaxed because he even asked me what time the wedding was later that day. His best man Todd became known as The Phantom. He was staying in our house and would just disappear. Even at the reception, it was time for the best man's speech and no one knew where he was.
The kids were enjoying themselves in the limo ride from the reception house to the beach. Then running around by the water before the ceremony started.
Troy with Neighbor Mo, his partner in crime
The Neighbor with her son Ethan
Having so many small kids around, you would think they would be the loud, disruptive ones.
They were not.
That honor was given to this couple.
Hooting, hollering, stumbling, cat calls and in general, being drunks in public. Their antics continued through the reception where even the wedding coordinator had words with them.
Laura, the bride, looked beautiful.
Some other photos in no particular order.
Tim, my brother Mike and Big Fish, brother-in-law of the groom
Big Fish' wife Dr. Terri, sister of the groom and Stacey
My nephew Dylan corraling Troy
Me to Tim/The Neighbors: Did you eat any of the crudité? (pronounced krue-dē-tā)
Tim/The Neighbors: I didn't see any.
Me to Tim/The Neighbors: Troy really enjoyed it. I suspect he was hungry from running around the beach.
Tim/The Neighbors: All I saw for appetizers was veggies and dip.
Me: That's crudité.
Reception at The Saltaire, Duck, NC. unlike the one we had in Bumpass, Va.
First dance as a married couple
Table arrangements at the reception.
Flying pelicans at the beach.
Tim and I got married in Jamaica but I can see the draw of wanting to get married in the Outer Banks. It’s no wonder that my friend Julie Dreelin, professional photographer, is booked so far in advance in The Outer Banks. She is taking our pictures again in a few weeks and I have two words to say, Hula Hoops.
We are spending a few days with my parents in their retirement community in Florida so I'm reposting this (again) so you can get a sense of what we'll be up to in the next few days. We haven't been back in eight years and knowing these old geesers, they probably forgot to put on clean socks but will remember we're "The Damn Kids."About 10 years ago my parents sold their house in the metropolitan DC area and purchased a second home near Orlando, Florida. Since they already had the lake house in Bumpass, Va. they were going to become "snow birds" and split their year between homes.
Shortly after they moved into their 55+ retirement community, my Mom took one final trip for work to Prague for a month. Tim and I were in need of our own trip so we drove to Florida to see the new house and visit with my Dad. We also were were worried he'd starve to death and shift to a "liquid diet" without my Mom there to cook for him.
It's no exaggeration that we stuck out in the large community of retired people for a few reasons. Tim and I learned a few things that are not acceptable and for some reason frowned upon: 
We have made two other trips to my parents' house in Florida. We are still referred to as The Damn Kids. 
Now it's your turn.
Find an old picture like and share a story about it and then email me so I can add a link. Flashback Friday has no real rules other than to have fun.
In the last few weeks, we have been consumed with Christmas parties, visits from Santa, holiday shopping, wrapping, decorating, traveling, more traveling (Did I mention traveling?) and then putting all the loot away and taking down the decorations.
To sum up the last few weeks, here is a quick run down in pictures.
My bunco group had a dirty santa ornament exchange. Even though I had a middle number, I went home with exactly what I wanted. I strategically steal things I don't want that are popular so I can keep picking. It's a shame I don't know how to play chess.
The Laugher was there and we tried a few times to get a picture together. 
We met The Neighbors at a place called Jumpin' Monkey so they could run around like idiots crazy little people and fit in perfectly.
My old boss, the high roller Carol's oldest son Ryan came to hang out, shoot pool and learn more from Tim on being a green beret.
Again with The Neighbors, we took the kids to meet Santa at Bass Pro Shops. It was Tim, myself, our Troy and Chris with his three kids. This never would have happened if Santa had been at the mall.
On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus made a quick stop for a drink to see the kids and deliver a few gifts at my house.
Troy enjoyed opening his gifts on Christmas morning.
Unexpectantly on the day after Christmas, we received a record-setting 14 inches of snow at the beach. Since we don't have hills, The Neighbors hooked up a sled to the 4-wheeler and pulled the small kids up and down the street.
The next day we began a 1,500 roundtrip journey to Kentucky to visit my in-laws and the rest of the family.
This included a visit with The Bob-Father and his wife who has the same name as me. Plus, the same group we enjoy a week long beach vacation with every June.
Then we visited my mother-in-law who we didn't force into a sweatshop like when she's at our house. She must have enjoyed our wii because she got one from Santa this year.
From Kentucky, we traveled back to Bumpass, Va. to visit my parents. In case you're keeping score at home, this was our fourth Christmas in less than a week.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Web-Savvy Mom!
If you're on twitter, find me here: @DebThaxton.
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