Monday, October 31, 2005
Halloween – Part 1
We had a great Halloween weekend. Friday was an evening of family hangout time. My brother, Doug, and his wife sent birthday gifts and Pierce and Anna got to open them after dinner. Both kids got sets of pajamas and toys. Anna received a set of “glass” slippers that Pierce found fascinating. We got some great video of both kids in plastic, high-heel shoes chasing each other around the house (everyday we get more and better blackmail material for Pierce’s high school years).
Saturday was lots of odds and ends. Nora went shopping for birthday party supplies (for Sunday’s scheduled party) while I hung out with Pierce and Anna. I got to spend some quality time with the lawn (edging, weed-eating, mowing) and boy does it look good. I love this time of year; the grass turns emerald green and practically glows. In between tasks Pierce and I shot basketball. Pierce has reawakened to the to the sport and is getting pretty good at shooting hoops. About 2:30 the grandparents showed up to pick up Pierce and Anna. Nora and I had a Halloween party to attend, so Bill and Joanne were extremely generous and took Pierce, Anna, and both cousins (Jackson and Sampson) for the rest of the afternoon and night (they all went to go see the new Wallace and Gromit film).
After having a nice dinner at a hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant with some of Nora’s friends, we spent several hours getting ready for the party. Nora was a witch this year, complete with green makeup, a plastic nose (with warts), hat, broom, and black dress. She looked quite hideous. I went as a skeleton. Aside from pretty morbid face paint, I wore clothes with holes torn into them. Where skin was visible I applied black makeup and painted on nice white bones. From a few feet away it looked pretty gruesome. We had a great time at the party (thrown by Nora’s brother and sister-in-law) and stayed up much too late. Thank god for daylight’s savings time…
With the kids away for the night, Nora and I had every intention of sleeping in. Unfortunately, Pierce and Anna have trained us to get up early –so our eyes popped open about 8:00 am. We had a nice leisurely breakfast at a local restaurant then parted company for a few hours. Nora picked up the birthday cake and other sundry party items while I embarked on the newest home-improvement project. I hung some new shelves in the garage and created a “trash bag dispenser” next to the door. I’m so proud of myself (thanks to my brother-in-law for the great idea).
Pierce and Anna’s birthday party was at “Dye Your Duds”, a local tie-dye storefront. We had about 10 kids and accompanying parents attending. Each kid got to pick out their own tie-dye pattern, and then the staff would twist and tie the shirt and give it back to the kids to apply color. Suffice to say, we had a lot of kids and parents covered in colored dye. I did a particularly fine job of coating Pierce in a fine red mist. While the staff finished the shirts up we had birthday cake (and singing), passed out gift bags to the party attendees, and opened birthday presents. It was a fantastic party and Nora outdid herself putting it together.
After the party Nora’s parents, Billy and his family, and our friends the Deavers came over for a make-your-own pizza night. Of course it just turned into another party with the Chiefs game on TV (they lost), half the kids playing the arcade machine, and the other half playing with the new birthday toys.
Anna’s favorite gift was from her grandparents. They gave her a set of Disney Princess outfits: Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. Anna spent the evening swapping in and out of the Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty outfits while keeping a tight grip on the Snow White dress. She even had to hold the dress while sitting at the table eating pizza. At one point she had convinced her (much larger) cousin to wear the Snow White outfit. He gave it a willing try, but we stopped him before the seams ripped out of the thing.
Everyone went home about 6:30 pm. I think we were all looking pretty wilted (with the long day and the time change I know I was pooped). After we put Pierce and Anna to bed, Nora spent part of the evening making cookies to take to Pierce’s school on Monday. I quickly ate the extras before falling asleep on the couch (I needed to start charging my batteries for Monday night’s trick-or-treating).
-Eric (Dad)
Saturday was lots of odds and ends. Nora went shopping for birthday party supplies (for Sunday’s scheduled party) while I hung out with Pierce and Anna. I got to spend some quality time with the lawn (edging, weed-eating, mowing) and boy does it look good. I love this time of year; the grass turns emerald green and practically glows. In between tasks Pierce and I shot basketball. Pierce has reawakened to the to the sport and is getting pretty good at shooting hoops. About 2:30 the grandparents showed up to pick up Pierce and Anna. Nora and I had a Halloween party to attend, so Bill and Joanne were extremely generous and took Pierce, Anna, and both cousins (Jackson and Sampson) for the rest of the afternoon and night (they all went to go see the new Wallace and Gromit film).
After having a nice dinner at a hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant with some of Nora’s friends, we spent several hours getting ready for the party. Nora was a witch this year, complete with green makeup, a plastic nose (with warts), hat, broom, and black dress. She looked quite hideous. I went as a skeleton. Aside from pretty morbid face paint, I wore clothes with holes torn into them. Where skin was visible I applied black makeup and painted on nice white bones. From a few feet away it looked pretty gruesome. We had a great time at the party (thrown by Nora’s brother and sister-in-law) and stayed up much too late. Thank god for daylight’s savings time…
With the kids away for the night, Nora and I had every intention of sleeping in. Unfortunately, Pierce and Anna have trained us to get up early –so our eyes popped open about 8:00 am. We had a nice leisurely breakfast at a local restaurant then parted company for a few hours. Nora picked up the birthday cake and other sundry party items while I embarked on the newest home-improvement project. I hung some new shelves in the garage and created a “trash bag dispenser” next to the door. I’m so proud of myself (thanks to my brother-in-law for the great idea).
Pierce and Anna’s birthday party was at “Dye Your Duds”, a local tie-dye storefront. We had about 10 kids and accompanying parents attending. Each kid got to pick out their own tie-dye pattern, and then the staff would twist and tie the shirt and give it back to the kids to apply color. Suffice to say, we had a lot of kids and parents covered in colored dye. I did a particularly fine job of coating Pierce in a fine red mist. While the staff finished the shirts up we had birthday cake (and singing), passed out gift bags to the party attendees, and opened birthday presents. It was a fantastic party and Nora outdid herself putting it together.
After the party Nora’s parents, Billy and his family, and our friends the Deavers came over for a make-your-own pizza night. Of course it just turned into another party with the Chiefs game on TV (they lost), half the kids playing the arcade machine, and the other half playing with the new birthday toys.
Anna’s favorite gift was from her grandparents. They gave her a set of Disney Princess outfits: Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. Anna spent the evening swapping in and out of the Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty outfits while keeping a tight grip on the Snow White dress. She even had to hold the dress while sitting at the table eating pizza. At one point she had convinced her (much larger) cousin to wear the Snow White outfit. He gave it a willing try, but we stopped him before the seams ripped out of the thing.
Everyone went home about 6:30 pm. I think we were all looking pretty wilted (with the long day and the time change I know I was pooped). After we put Pierce and Anna to bed, Nora spent part of the evening making cookies to take to Pierce’s school on Monday. I quickly ate the extras before falling asleep on the couch (I needed to start charging my batteries for Monday night’s trick-or-treating).
-Eric (Dad)
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Games
After dinner we asked Pierce and Anna what they would like to do for the evening. Pierce asked if we could play "Candyland". For those without small children (or never have been children), Candyland is a game that uses colored cards to indicate where the players should move. Its great for small children because there's no counting or spinners. Of course for adults its a little on the boring side.
Anna surprised us by, not only wanting to play, but actively participating for awhile. Eventually she was more interested in collecting the colored cards than moving her piece around the board, but it was a first for her. Pierce and I were the winners for the evening.
We finished off by introducing Anna to a Blue's Clues computer game. She needs a lot of help with the mouse (she doesn't quite have the manual dexterity) but was very good at all the educational games. Pierce helped "coach" her when she got stuck.
-Eric (Dad)
Anna surprised us by, not only wanting to play, but actively participating for awhile. Eventually she was more interested in collecting the colored cards than moving her piece around the board, but it was a first for her. Pierce and I were the winners for the evening.
We finished off by introducing Anna to a Blue's Clues computer game. She needs a lot of help with the mouse (she doesn't quite have the manual dexterity) but was very good at all the educational games. Pierce helped "coach" her when she got stuck.
-Eric (Dad)
Pictures!
I finished painting Pierce's Herbie costume last night, so the first thing Pierce saw this morning was the finished car. I snapped a shots (you can tell he's still half asleep). Since I'm posting pictures anyway I thought I add a few from some other recent events too. Enjoy!
Pierce in his new, homemade, Herbie Halloween costume:
Anna got her costume about a week ago and has been wearing it non-stop:
We took Pierce and Anna to Worlds of Fun (a local amusement park) a couple of weekends ago:
To get pumpkins this year we went to the local petting zoo, Deanna Rose. Man were we cold, but still a pretty good time. Pierce and Anna couldn't wait to decorate their pumpkins:
-Eric (Dad)
Pierce in his new, homemade, Herbie Halloween costume:
Anna got her costume about a week ago and has been wearing it non-stop:
We took Pierce and Anna to Worlds of Fun (a local amusement park) a couple of weekends ago:
To get pumpkins this year we went to the local petting zoo, Deanna Rose. Man were we cold, but still a pretty good time. Pierce and Anna couldn't wait to decorate their pumpkins:
-Eric (Dad)
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Grandpa and Mary's Birthday Gifts
Dad and Mary’s birthday gifts arrived in the mail yesterday. Pierce and Anna spotted the package when I brought it in, and read to whom the package was addressed (and who it was from too).
Pierce got a new Leap Pad insert that includes a microphone. The game asks him questions and he can respond verbally. Last night it asked him his name and, while he was responding, Anna yelled “I’m Sleeping Beauty”. So for the rest of the evening the game called him “Sleeping Beauty Pierce”.
Anna, who’s very big into playing “dress up”, got a Princess outfit, complete with skirt, pink slippers, and a tiara. We got some great pictures of Pierce and Anna dancing as Princess Charming and Cinderella. Anna was so excited she wore the tiara and shoes to bed.
This morning she wore the tiara and shoes to the bathroom -and nothing else. At the moment I think Anna has completely forgotten about her Big Bird costume (see previous post). Course, I think its just a matter of time before she’s wearing both at the same time –a Big Bird Princess with a Tiara, pink high-heeled shoes and a skirt. I can’t wait.
-Eric (Dad)
Pierce got a new Leap Pad insert that includes a microphone. The game asks him questions and he can respond verbally. Last night it asked him his name and, while he was responding, Anna yelled “I’m Sleeping Beauty”. So for the rest of the evening the game called him “Sleeping Beauty Pierce”.
Anna, who’s very big into playing “dress up”, got a Princess outfit, complete with skirt, pink slippers, and a tiara. We got some great pictures of Pierce and Anna dancing as Princess Charming and Cinderella. Anna was so excited she wore the tiara and shoes to bed.
This morning she wore the tiara and shoes to the bathroom -and nothing else. At the moment I think Anna has completely forgotten about her Big Bird costume (see previous post). Course, I think its just a matter of time before she’s wearing both at the same time –a Big Bird Princess with a Tiara, pink high-heeled shoes and a skirt. I can’t wait.
-Eric (Dad)
Halloween Costumes
Last year Pierce and Anna had costumes from the children’s show Blue’s Clues; Pierce was Blue and Anna was Magenta (both are puppy dogs). The costumes were such a hit that both kids have been wearing them over the past year. Of course both costumes are ready to split at the seams and the only way either kid can fit into them is if we strip them down to their underwear first.
This year Nora got a Big Bird (from Sesame Street) costume for Anna and a new Blue costume for Pierce. Anna loves her costume so much she’s been wearing it everyday for the past week. She cries when we take it off her at night to put on her pajamas. Pierce, on the other hand, is not so excited about his costume. Up until a couple of months ago he was quite insistent he wanted to be Blue again. Until he saw the movie Herbie – Fully Loaded. Now he wants to be Herbie.
The problem? They don’t make Herbie costumes. Nora saw one on eBay that was listed for $10 –but we figured that with shipping costs and the likelihood that we might not get it in time, we didn’t even bid (believe it or not, when the auction closed the costume had sold for $362 –is that nuts or what). So… I’m making a costume for Pierce. It took most of my weekend to build and is still in the process of being painted. I don’t even want to think about the number of hours I’ve spent on this thing.
However, you should see how excited Pierce is. It just makes the whole process worthwhile. Hopefully I’ll have some pictures to post soon. The costume is actually turning out pretty well (Pierce asked if he could help paint it, he asked Nora to go get his watercolor paints). I think we’ll let him paint something else instead.
-Eric (Dad)
This year Nora got a Big Bird (from Sesame Street) costume for Anna and a new Blue costume for Pierce. Anna loves her costume so much she’s been wearing it everyday for the past week. She cries when we take it off her at night to put on her pajamas. Pierce, on the other hand, is not so excited about his costume. Up until a couple of months ago he was quite insistent he wanted to be Blue again. Until he saw the movie Herbie – Fully Loaded. Now he wants to be Herbie.
The problem? They don’t make Herbie costumes. Nora saw one on eBay that was listed for $10 –but we figured that with shipping costs and the likelihood that we might not get it in time, we didn’t even bid (believe it or not, when the auction closed the costume had sold for $362 –is that nuts or what). So… I’m making a costume for Pierce. It took most of my weekend to build and is still in the process of being painted. I don’t even want to think about the number of hours I’ve spent on this thing.
However, you should see how excited Pierce is. It just makes the whole process worthwhile. Hopefully I’ll have some pictures to post soon. The costume is actually turning out pretty well (Pierce asked if he could help paint it, he asked Nora to go get his watercolor paints). I think we’ll let him paint something else instead.
-Eric (Dad)
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Worlds of fun at Worlds of Fun
We took Pierce and Anna to the local amusement park, Worlds of Fun. This is Anna’s second time there and Pierce’s 3rd. We had a gorgeous day and got to the park right when it opened. The park is decorated for Halloween, so there are skeletons and monsters everywhere.
Of course we had a blast. There are so many rides geared for small children we ran out of day before we ran out of rides. I think the biggest hit with Pierce and Anna was the Snoopy Bi-Planes. Of course Pierce was nuts for all the car rides and Anna and Pierce were both huge fans of the roller coaster.
The park has an area set up for small kids called “Camp Snoopy”. Both kids had a chance to see Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and Linus (along with a few other characters who have already faded from my mind). Anna’s fixated on all things fuzzy, so Snoopy was her hand's down favorite. She practically mugged him she hugged him so hard. This year she gave him a kiss on the nose too.
On leaving the park we drove straight to Nora’s folks house for my belated Birthday dinner. BBQ ribs, my favorite. Our kids ran around in the backyard with their cousins while we adults all got to catch up. Very nice. I got a variety of gift cards for my favorite type of store: electronics. So I’ll be paying some visits to Best Buy and Microcenter (a computer store) very soon. Yeah baby!
-Eric (Dad)
Of course we had a blast. There are so many rides geared for small children we ran out of day before we ran out of rides. I think the biggest hit with Pierce and Anna was the Snoopy Bi-Planes. Of course Pierce was nuts for all the car rides and Anna and Pierce were both huge fans of the roller coaster.
The park has an area set up for small kids called “Camp Snoopy”. Both kids had a chance to see Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and Linus (along with a few other characters who have already faded from my mind). Anna’s fixated on all things fuzzy, so Snoopy was her hand's down favorite. She practically mugged him she hugged him so hard. This year she gave him a kiss on the nose too.
On leaving the park we drove straight to Nora’s folks house for my belated Birthday dinner. BBQ ribs, my favorite. Our kids ran around in the backyard with their cousins while we adults all got to catch up. Very nice. I got a variety of gift cards for my favorite type of store: electronics. So I’ll be paying some visits to Best Buy and Microcenter (a computer store) very soon. Yeah baby!
-Eric (Dad)
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Birthday Stories (Part 1)
My birthday was yesterday (Tuesday the 11th). We’ve actually been celebrating my birthday in fits and starts with Nora taking me out for dinner and a movie on Friday night. Dinner was quite good (we went to a local restaurant called 40 Sardines –too pricey to bring Pierce and Anna) followed by the movie Corpse Bride. Interestingly, Nora and I like Tim Burton/Danny Elfman movies, but in this case we walked away unimpressed. Maybe we weren’t in the right frame of mind.
On Sunday we took Pierce and Anna to see the new Wallace and Gromit movie. It was a hit. Not only did Nora and I like it (a lot) but Pierce and Anna even sat through the closing credits they liked it so much. Our rating? The patented Lindenberg 4 thumbs up.
The morning of my birthday, while I was prepping breakfast for Pierce and Anna, Nora called Pierce over and whispered a secret to him. On hearing it, Pierce immediately called me over and whispered to me “Dad, we’ve got a surprise for you, we made you something. We made you cards” -so much for it being a surprise. Pierce and Anna had both made me birthday cards (with a little assistance from Nora). I think they’re the nicest presents I’ve ever received. They’re hanging proudly at my desk.
Unfortunately the day of my birthday wasn’t the greatest. We’ve had a couple of challenges at work; one of my clients that have got me wanting to chew nails. By the end of the day everything was back to even keel, but I was ready to get out of the office at 5:00. When I got home the door popped open of its own accords and I hear Anna start yelling, “Daddy’s home, Daddy’s home!” –by the way, not my usual welcome.
Both kids greeted me at the door with wrapped presents. Nora had taken them to the dollar store and let them each pick out a present for me. From Pierce I got a bottle of car wax; from Anna a Scooby Doo car air freshener. I can’t begin to describe how excited they were to give me my gifts. I also got a birthday card they had both signed (my favorite par). Nora followed up with her own generous gift, a new hard drive for my computer (just what I asked for!) and a birthday card that Pierce liked so much he abducted it and kept it for himself.
The end of my birthday wound down with birthday phone calls from my Mom, Dad and brother Doug followed by homemade birthday cake, mmmmmmm.
-Eric (Dad)
On Sunday we took Pierce and Anna to see the new Wallace and Gromit movie. It was a hit. Not only did Nora and I like it (a lot) but Pierce and Anna even sat through the closing credits they liked it so much. Our rating? The patented Lindenberg 4 thumbs up.
The morning of my birthday, while I was prepping breakfast for Pierce and Anna, Nora called Pierce over and whispered a secret to him. On hearing it, Pierce immediately called me over and whispered to me “Dad, we’ve got a surprise for you, we made you something. We made you cards” -so much for it being a surprise. Pierce and Anna had both made me birthday cards (with a little assistance from Nora). I think they’re the nicest presents I’ve ever received. They’re hanging proudly at my desk.
Unfortunately the day of my birthday wasn’t the greatest. We’ve had a couple of challenges at work; one of my clients that have got me wanting to chew nails. By the end of the day everything was back to even keel, but I was ready to get out of the office at 5:00. When I got home the door popped open of its own accords and I hear Anna start yelling, “Daddy’s home, Daddy’s home!” –by the way, not my usual welcome.
Both kids greeted me at the door with wrapped presents. Nora had taken them to the dollar store and let them each pick out a present for me. From Pierce I got a bottle of car wax; from Anna a Scooby Doo car air freshener. I can’t begin to describe how excited they were to give me my gifts. I also got a birthday card they had both signed (my favorite par). Nora followed up with her own generous gift, a new hard drive for my computer (just what I asked for!) and a birthday card that Pierce liked so much he abducted it and kept it for himself.
The end of my birthday wound down with birthday phone calls from my Mom, Dad and brother Doug followed by homemade birthday cake, mmmmmmm.
-Eric (Dad)
Friday, October 07, 2005
Pierce learns a new word -and uses it
The other day Pierce and I were playing with an oversized, inflatable Frisbee in the back yard. The thing's pretty difficult to throw consistently (the packing tape repairs on it don't help). As we we're playing, if I threw a horrendous toss, I yell, "Well that sucked!" then chase it down and throw it again. Pierce thought this was hilarious.
Of course, after a couple of times I figured out that introducing my son to the word "sucked" probably isn't my smartest maneuver, so I discontinued its use. Flash forward three weeks. Last night Pierce is pushing cars across the kitchen floor. On one push the car spun sideways and flipped over. Pierce's response? "Well that sucked!" Nora and I looked at each other and burst into laughter. I said to her, "Well, its your fault he says "dammit", but I take credit for "sucked".
The more interesting part of this story is that on this same day Pierce brought home his lesson for the day. At school he is learning about the "ck" sound. The teacher wrote a series of words ending with "ck" on a piece of paper that Pierce would read and then trace over with a pencil to practice writing. The list consisted of words like:
tuck
puck
truck
luck
This list is what Pierce brought home to show us. Between two of the words the teacher printed Pierce added his own. Can you guess what it was? Yup, "suck".
-Eric (Dad)
Of course, after a couple of times I figured out that introducing my son to the word "sucked" probably isn't my smartest maneuver, so I discontinued its use. Flash forward three weeks. Last night Pierce is pushing cars across the kitchen floor. On one push the car spun sideways and flipped over. Pierce's response? "Well that sucked!" Nora and I looked at each other and burst into laughter. I said to her, "Well, its your fault he says "dammit", but I take credit for "sucked".
The more interesting part of this story is that on this same day Pierce brought home his lesson for the day. At school he is learning about the "ck" sound. The teacher wrote a series of words ending with "ck" on a piece of paper that Pierce would read and then trace over with a pencil to practice writing. The list consisted of words like:
tuck
puck
truck
luck
This list is what Pierce brought home to show us. Between two of the words the teacher printed Pierce added his own. Can you guess what it was? Yup, "suck".
-Eric (Dad)
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
A week of South Carolina vacation and Scott’s Wedding
Well, for those keeping track, the Lindenberg family has been in Myrtle Beach, SC for the past 8 days (we got back on Monday). Scott and his long-time girlfriend, Stacy, tied the knot on Saturday. My Mom rented a house on the beach in Pauly’s Island for a week and we turned it into an extended beach vacation with a wedding kicker. For the most part the weather was beautiful, with warm sunny days and pleasant nights.
We spent virtually everyday on the beach. I boogie boarded the first few days, with both Pierce and Anna trying their own boogie boards and each coming back for more. Pierce is a natural and can even boogie board (in a limited fashion) by himself. My brother Doug and his (expecting twins) wife and their son, Kevin, came out mid-week with the surfboards -so the rest of the week was surf time. The waves were fun but nothing special. I guess the most you could say is that they’re much better than the waves we have in Kansas.
Stacy has friends in Pauly’s Island that own a beach house right on the water (they designed it themselves and its truly impressive). The house my Mom rented is three houses down from Stacy’s, so we got to do a lot of visiting before the big day. The interesting thing about Pauly’s Island is that the houses are literally built right up to the water. When high tide comes in the water hits deck posts and stairs of the beachfront houses. I can’t imagine what the place looks like when there’s a serious storm surge. Both our house and Stacy’s are built on stilts, so at least you don’t have to worry about the ocean coming in through the kitchen windows.
Scott arrived Wednesday evening and we started to pickup some real momentum for the week –it felt like a real family vacation. Scott spent the first few days (and nights) at Stacy’s house but moved into our house as the big day approached. Thursday evening saw the arrival of the first of the extended Lindenberg clan including my Dad and his girlfriend (Mary) and my uncle and his wife (Ed and Bernice). We boys (me and my two brothers) went to visit Dad and Mary for a happy hour drink and dinner. They were staying at the Litchfield beachfront resort –you had to see this place to believe it. Incredible. The night ran pretty late as we took Dad and Mary to see the virtual castle that Stacy’s Mom, Sheri, rented for the week (and a nice visit with Stacy’s side of the family) then went to Stacy’s beach house for more visiting and drinks.
Scott’s son, Chance, finished school for the week and he and his grandmother, Pat, came in Friday. They also stayed with us. Friday night was the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal was interesting in that we couldn’t actually do it on the beach. The tide had come so far in that each time we started to rehearse a wave would wash in and attempt to take us out to sea. We ultimately held the rehearsal “under” the wedding house.
The rehearsal dinner was a catered affair held under our house. Originally my Mom had hoped to have it on the beach, but with a fading sun and high tide figured into the equation it became an impossibility. We had a great showing (most of the wedding guests are from out of town) with genuine low country food on the buffet and genuine Costco desserts on the dessert table. Several of my cousins came in for the rehearsal dinner. In many cases I (and the entire Ruben and Lindenberg clans) had not seen each other for years. It was like a family reunion. Everyone seems to be healthy, happy and aging gracefully. I think our only regret was that the evening ended too soon.
Saturday, the morning of the big day, was warm and sunny with wispy clouds over a crystal blue ocean. The ladies all went out for a morning of pedicures and lunch while us men and kids spent a morning at the beach –this time joined by Scott and Chance. Our cousin Rick came out for a morning swim and some body surfing along side me and Pierce on the (same) boogie board. About 1:00 pm groomsmen started arriving for group photos (scheduled for 2:00). Of course, about 1:30 the skies started to cloud up and by 2:00 it was raining pretty well. All the pictures had to be taken inside but sun started to peak out about the time we were to walk over to the “wedding house” (we had gone over to the house earlier in the day to setup chairs on the beach and get everything ready).
Well, of course, the sun was a tease. The clouds rolled back in from the ocean and deluged our little island. Guests attempting to take the stairs up to the deck (the only way to enter Stacy’s house) were soaked. Grandparents in wheelchairs were stuck under the house –they could make it to the beach, but stairs were not going to happen.
The hope was, of course, that the storm would blow past, but the window of opportunity for this to happen before the tide came in was so narrow, that the opportunity escaped virtually without comment. Some of our proactive guests ran out to the beach to bring in the chairs before they washed out to sea. Fallback #2 was to have the ceremony in the house, but with the older guests stuck under the house with no way to make up the stairs this plan was quickly discarded.
Ultimately, the min-reception scheduled for after the ceremony was held at the house before the wedding while the restaurant scheduled for the “real” reception was made ready for the bride and groom. As an aside, nothing better prepares you for a wedding than a series of mini-, pre-reception beers. A number of the lady guests ran upstairs to see how Stacy was doing as she watched her meticulously planned beach wedding wash away. True to form, she wasn’t bothered in the least.
We reconvened at the restaurant, which is built like an immense, permanent tent. Open on the sides and covered overhead, you can smell the ocean and feel the breeze from within the entire structure. Surprisingly, disorganization was at a minimum and few things were forgotten in the migration of all wedding guests and items to the new location. Stacy and Scott had planned an informal wedding with the groom and groomsmen in kakis and linen shirts (shoes optional) and the bridesmaids in loose-fitting tops and sarongs. The restaurant perfectly fitted the occasion and the ceremony took place as smooth as silk. Of course Stacy looked gorgeous and she beamed throughout the entire service. Probably the most unusual part of the ceremony was when one of the two photographers put down his camera, put on a clergy robe, conducted the ceremony, then discarded the outfit, and resumed taking photographs. That’s one very multi-talented fellow. Of course the ultimate punch line is that by the time the ceremony was over and the reception started the sun was back out and the sky blue and clear.
The reception was a perfect reflection of Scott and Stacy’s laid-back approach. The groomsmen and guests started buying shots for the wedding party as we took the final set of pictures, the food was terrific, and there was lots of dancing and laughing throughout the evening. We finished the evening with an invite to my cousins, and Dad and Mary, to come back to the beach house for an extended visit. We stayed up into the wee hours telling silly stories and catching on the past few years worth of events. I think it’s the first time the Lindenberg side of the family had a chance to visit for an extended period –ever.
The next morning was a bit rushed as we packed up the house and ourselves in preparation for checking out. I shudder to think of how much food we threw out –but its par for the course whenever we have a family vacation. My Mom’s flight wasn’t till late in the afternoon, so were able to go out for one last lunch together before we parted company. Our flight back to Kansas wasn’t until the next day, so we spent the day at a “theme” resort hotel, Camelot. The front desk personnel all wear Renaissance outfits and the hotel looks like a giant castle. By far the resort’s saving grace is its massive sets of pools: there were indoor and outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, hot tubs, kiddie pools, a sandbox, and the ultimate: the slow river –a circuit pool that you lounge in via an inner tube and laze away the day. We even spent a little time on the beach. Our room was on the penthouse level (19th floor) with a balcony overlooking the ocean and a spectacular view. Pierce and Anna thought the best part of the hotel was the closet off the sitting room; they liked to pretend it was an elevator.
The end of our trip proved a little more exciting that we would have preferred. Our flight was canceled after we had already checked in and gone through security. So we ended up spending much of the day waiting in the Myrtle Beach airport for our new flight. Fortunately, we had purchased a portable DVD player for use in the beach house and it proved the perfect activity for Pierce and Anna during our wait. It was truly a novelty for Nora and me to be able to read on the plane while Pierce and Anna were occupied with a DVD (or two).
And now life’s pretty much back to normal. Come back soon for lots of beach and wedding pictures.
-Eric (Dad)
We spent virtually everyday on the beach. I boogie boarded the first few days, with both Pierce and Anna trying their own boogie boards and each coming back for more. Pierce is a natural and can even boogie board (in a limited fashion) by himself. My brother Doug and his (expecting twins) wife and their son, Kevin, came out mid-week with the surfboards -so the rest of the week was surf time. The waves were fun but nothing special. I guess the most you could say is that they’re much better than the waves we have in Kansas.
Stacy has friends in Pauly’s Island that own a beach house right on the water (they designed it themselves and its truly impressive). The house my Mom rented is three houses down from Stacy’s, so we got to do a lot of visiting before the big day. The interesting thing about Pauly’s Island is that the houses are literally built right up to the water. When high tide comes in the water hits deck posts and stairs of the beachfront houses. I can’t imagine what the place looks like when there’s a serious storm surge. Both our house and Stacy’s are built on stilts, so at least you don’t have to worry about the ocean coming in through the kitchen windows.
Scott arrived Wednesday evening and we started to pickup some real momentum for the week –it felt like a real family vacation. Scott spent the first few days (and nights) at Stacy’s house but moved into our house as the big day approached. Thursday evening saw the arrival of the first of the extended Lindenberg clan including my Dad and his girlfriend (Mary) and my uncle and his wife (Ed and Bernice). We boys (me and my two brothers) went to visit Dad and Mary for a happy hour drink and dinner. They were staying at the Litchfield beachfront resort –you had to see this place to believe it. Incredible. The night ran pretty late as we took Dad and Mary to see the virtual castle that Stacy’s Mom, Sheri, rented for the week (and a nice visit with Stacy’s side of the family) then went to Stacy’s beach house for more visiting and drinks.
Scott’s son, Chance, finished school for the week and he and his grandmother, Pat, came in Friday. They also stayed with us. Friday night was the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal was interesting in that we couldn’t actually do it on the beach. The tide had come so far in that each time we started to rehearse a wave would wash in and attempt to take us out to sea. We ultimately held the rehearsal “under” the wedding house.
The rehearsal dinner was a catered affair held under our house. Originally my Mom had hoped to have it on the beach, but with a fading sun and high tide figured into the equation it became an impossibility. We had a great showing (most of the wedding guests are from out of town) with genuine low country food on the buffet and genuine Costco desserts on the dessert table. Several of my cousins came in for the rehearsal dinner. In many cases I (and the entire Ruben and Lindenberg clans) had not seen each other for years. It was like a family reunion. Everyone seems to be healthy, happy and aging gracefully. I think our only regret was that the evening ended too soon.
Saturday, the morning of the big day, was warm and sunny with wispy clouds over a crystal blue ocean. The ladies all went out for a morning of pedicures and lunch while us men and kids spent a morning at the beach –this time joined by Scott and Chance. Our cousin Rick came out for a morning swim and some body surfing along side me and Pierce on the (same) boogie board. About 1:00 pm groomsmen started arriving for group photos (scheduled for 2:00). Of course, about 1:30 the skies started to cloud up and by 2:00 it was raining pretty well. All the pictures had to be taken inside but sun started to peak out about the time we were to walk over to the “wedding house” (we had gone over to the house earlier in the day to setup chairs on the beach and get everything ready).
Well, of course, the sun was a tease. The clouds rolled back in from the ocean and deluged our little island. Guests attempting to take the stairs up to the deck (the only way to enter Stacy’s house) were soaked. Grandparents in wheelchairs were stuck under the house –they could make it to the beach, but stairs were not going to happen.
The hope was, of course, that the storm would blow past, but the window of opportunity for this to happen before the tide came in was so narrow, that the opportunity escaped virtually without comment. Some of our proactive guests ran out to the beach to bring in the chairs before they washed out to sea. Fallback #2 was to have the ceremony in the house, but with the older guests stuck under the house with no way to make up the stairs this plan was quickly discarded.
Ultimately, the min-reception scheduled for after the ceremony was held at the house before the wedding while the restaurant scheduled for the “real” reception was made ready for the bride and groom. As an aside, nothing better prepares you for a wedding than a series of mini-, pre-reception beers. A number of the lady guests ran upstairs to see how Stacy was doing as she watched her meticulously planned beach wedding wash away. True to form, she wasn’t bothered in the least.
We reconvened at the restaurant, which is built like an immense, permanent tent. Open on the sides and covered overhead, you can smell the ocean and feel the breeze from within the entire structure. Surprisingly, disorganization was at a minimum and few things were forgotten in the migration of all wedding guests and items to the new location. Stacy and Scott had planned an informal wedding with the groom and groomsmen in kakis and linen shirts (shoes optional) and the bridesmaids in loose-fitting tops and sarongs. The restaurant perfectly fitted the occasion and the ceremony took place as smooth as silk. Of course Stacy looked gorgeous and she beamed throughout the entire service. Probably the most unusual part of the ceremony was when one of the two photographers put down his camera, put on a clergy robe, conducted the ceremony, then discarded the outfit, and resumed taking photographs. That’s one very multi-talented fellow. Of course the ultimate punch line is that by the time the ceremony was over and the reception started the sun was back out and the sky blue and clear.
The reception was a perfect reflection of Scott and Stacy’s laid-back approach. The groomsmen and guests started buying shots for the wedding party as we took the final set of pictures, the food was terrific, and there was lots of dancing and laughing throughout the evening. We finished the evening with an invite to my cousins, and Dad and Mary, to come back to the beach house for an extended visit. We stayed up into the wee hours telling silly stories and catching on the past few years worth of events. I think it’s the first time the Lindenberg side of the family had a chance to visit for an extended period –ever.
The next morning was a bit rushed as we packed up the house and ourselves in preparation for checking out. I shudder to think of how much food we threw out –but its par for the course whenever we have a family vacation. My Mom’s flight wasn’t till late in the afternoon, so were able to go out for one last lunch together before we parted company. Our flight back to Kansas wasn’t until the next day, so we spent the day at a “theme” resort hotel, Camelot. The front desk personnel all wear Renaissance outfits and the hotel looks like a giant castle. By far the resort’s saving grace is its massive sets of pools: there were indoor and outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, hot tubs, kiddie pools, a sandbox, and the ultimate: the slow river –a circuit pool that you lounge in via an inner tube and laze away the day. We even spent a little time on the beach. Our room was on the penthouse level (19th floor) with a balcony overlooking the ocean and a spectacular view. Pierce and Anna thought the best part of the hotel was the closet off the sitting room; they liked to pretend it was an elevator.
The end of our trip proved a little more exciting that we would have preferred. Our flight was canceled after we had already checked in and gone through security. So we ended up spending much of the day waiting in the Myrtle Beach airport for our new flight. Fortunately, we had purchased a portable DVD player for use in the beach house and it proved the perfect activity for Pierce and Anna during our wait. It was truly a novelty for Nora and me to be able to read on the plane while Pierce and Anna were occupied with a DVD (or two).
And now life’s pretty much back to normal. Come back soon for lots of beach and wedding pictures.
-Eric (Dad)
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