Welcome Home, Michael!

Michael has promised to update the blog soon with pictures from his trip, but for now I've picked out a few to post.  Needless to say he had an amazing experience in Honduras with Heifer International.  He's convinced me that we need to go to Central America together.  It sounds like it was incredible.  

Riley was delighted to meet Michael!  We are glad he's back. 

 

Loving Life with Riley

Here are just a few of the thousand or so photos I've taken over the past two days.  Riley is adjusting to her new home and loving life in Charlotte.  We're working hard on training!  Michael comes home from Honduras on Monday- we are both very excited. 

Fireworks, Welcome Riley, & Happy Birthday, Mom!

The week in Virginia went too quickly.  It was filled with lots of excitement as we greeted Riley, enjoyed some fireworks, and celebrated Mom's birthday.  

On the 4th Charlie, Quinn, Charlie, and I drove up from the mountains to Virginia.  Here we are welcoming Riley to the family.  She was so little...but oh so cute.   My mom had picked her up at National Airport the morning before.  She actually came out on the conveyer belt (hilarious and slightly perfect)!  Michael gets home from Honduras on the 14th...Riley is anxiously awaiting his arrival. 

After a few hours of getting Riley acclimated we went to celebrate the fourth with some fireworks.  Ellie was feeling festive (as usual) and ready to celebrate. 

Mom celebrated her birthday on the 7th.  Ellie helped her blow out the candles. 

Here are a few more photos of Riley.  She is growing already!  The collar is taking some getting used to...she has to be heavily supervised while wearing it! 

Table Rock Welcomes the Rineharts

This week the Rinehart family was all together for the first time in two and a half years!  We met in Table Rock, South Carolina.  We welcomed Charlie back from his deployment and met his girlfriend (also a Meghan which is fantastic).  Charlie and Quinn drove down from Virginia and John, Sally, and Grandmom drove up from Florida.  We had a spectacular week together.  

Here are a few shots looking out over Caesar's Head:

Michael and his Grandmom 

Charlie and Quinn

Sally and John

Meg and Michael 

We went on two hikes during the week.  Here are a few good shots:

Meghan and Charlie...so happy!

Michael, Charlie, and John are in front of a beautiful waterfall, that I somehow managed to completely leave out of the picture. 

Michael and Sally on the "Winds."

Charlie Nash promoted Quinn to captain in front of the whole family.  It was a proud moment for everyone. 

We managed to keep ourselves busy with hikes, games of Cranium, and a few other activities- most especially hunting for the elusive white squirrel.  Hopefully this will become a Rinehart tradition...it was too much fun to be a one time only event! 

John tries to get Grandmom to guess "Karate Kid" using his classic abstract approach. 

Charlie as a tornado.  Sweeeet. 

We enjoyed smores as we told tales of the white squirrel, golden donkeys, and yetis.  A uniquely Rinehart experience.  

 

Meg provided each of us with our own miniature white squirrel...I couldn't think of a more fitting souvenir. 

As you can see below, I had to save the best for last.  The excitement over spotting a few white squirrels at Brevard College is palpable.   We'll never look at squirrels the same way again.

Loved Charlottesville

We just returned from a weekend in Charlottesville, VA, with my family.  We absolutely loved the town, especially with Ellie in it.  She's waving now, which is particularly spectacular.  

Finally Getting a Pooch!

Here's the little gem. More to come.

Happy Birthday, Michael!

Tomorrow Michael turns the big 2-9.  I am thrilled because now he will have to stop telling everyone that he is younger than I am.  We celebrated with dinner and some delectable cupcakes tonight.  Tomorrow we're having friends over to barbecue and celebrate.  It's supposed to be in the upper 90s here.  These are the times I wish I still lived in Boston!  In other exciting news, today was my last day of work!  Yipee!  Summer is here.  I'm thrilled.  Michael works through next Thursday and then begins his gig with the Teaching Fellows the following Monday, so he will welcome summer with a three day weekend:).  

We're oh so happy.