Mystery Vacation Unveiled

So, RJ and I have taken some wonderful advice and decided that every 3 or 4 months we will get away for a weekend and take a little relaxing/fun/romantic vacation. We also decided that we will take turns planning these weekend getaways. It was RJ's turn to plan this one, which happened last weekend. He kept everything hush-hush so it was full of surprises. :)

Here's what happened:
Friday morning, Susan picked us up and drove us to the airport. We hopped on a plane to Philadelphia (and I was baffled, until I realized we were more than halfway to Baltimore...where the next little plane took us)! So there we were in Baltimore, and my Dad, along with my 3 & 5 yr. old half sisters, picked us up. What a treat!!! We haven't seen them since our wedding! We spent the day & night at their place, just hanging out and playing with Sydney & Annie.
Saturday, we got to watch Sydney & Annie in their gymnastics class. That was a huge treat, and so adorable to see. Then we had some crabcakes for lunch (YUM). Next, RJ and I went off on our own with one of my Dad's cars and drove to downtown Baltimore, where we had reservations at the Sheraton Hotel. As we were walking into the hotel, I noticed there were more people than you would usually see in one spot that were sportin' a lot of tattoos & piercings. Turns out there was a tattoo convention happening at the Sheraton, where we were staying. I secretly hoped my brother Derek would show up...but he didn't. :)
Anyway, we were not there for the tattoo convention. We got acquainted with our room which had a beautiful view of the city, and when it was time for dinner we had a delightful meal at the hotel restaurant. This is when RJ unveiled one of the bigger surprises he had planned for us...tickets to see Chris Tomlin & Israel Houghton! Woah! Super cool, especially since we've been on a huge Chris Tomlin kick lately. Not only do we love his music & the songs he writes, but also his genuine & humble character - very noticeable compared to many other "famous" worship leaders. So, the show was at an arena right across the street from our hotel. And what an amazing night it was...worshipping with a packed arena of people led by Isreal Houghton, Chris Tomlin, and (the cherry on top, for me:) Christy Nockels!
We went back to our hotel afterwards and ordered some room service pizza, and had a nice night together in downtown Baltimore. The tattoo conventioners weren't as loud & disturbing as one of them told us they would be, to our relief. We woke up to a nice room service breakfast in bed and watched a silly little movie called "Ghost Town" before checking out of the hotel.
From there, we went to the inner harbor and walked around a little bit. Had some great sushi for lunch, then went to the aquarium. Looking back, that seems a little ironic...
Now comes the 2nd big surprise that RJ planned for our weekend. For the longest time, I've wanted to go to a Medievel Times. But, the closest one to us is in Chicago, and I've never been able to go. Until last Sunday! :) It really doesn't get much better than eating a big greasy meal with your hands (no utensils allowed), while watching some guys on beautiful horses do cool tricks and have a jousting tournament. It was pretty darn sweet. And we had front row seats. It was like stepping back in history and actually being a part of it. Fun times.
So we spent that night and the next morning with my Dad, step-mom, and half sisters and just had a grand old time. Those little girls are precious, and they're at a fun, silly, talkative age.

It was a great vacation. My husband rocks! :)

Noa Jane.

We like this girl!
She's our very first niece.
We met her for the first time the day after Christmas.
And she's on her way back home to South Carolina right now...
...bummer for us :(

Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009.

This is what our Christmas tree looks like!

This is what RJ and I have been doing (almost nonstop) since Christmas...

This is what I look like in January 2009...
(Wow, this woman could use a make-over)...

This is what RJ looks like in January 2009...
(Handsomest man I ever saw)...

Happy 2009.
xoxo Beth xoxo