I Do, You Do, We All Do!

October has been chock full of wedding celebrations for the Brinson’s. We started the month in Boston for Julianna’s good friend Stephanie’s wedding. The following weekend, we toasted our friend and former co-worker, Steve Edwards, at his wedding in Mebane, NC. This past weekend was spent with family in Southport, NC, witnessing the union of my cousin Hilary and Chris Wilkes.

(PHOTO: Hilary's wedding portrait. Southport, NC - 10/22/05 - JKB)

It all started on Thursday (10/20)… The good ship Brinson packed up and left Chapel Hill, heading south, for a fun-filled trip to my parent’s condo in North Myrtle Beach (NMB), SC. This would be our home base for the weekend’s wedding festivities. The bride is the daughter of my Uncle Doyle and Aunt Linda. The wedding was in her hometown, where Doyle and Linda live, Southport, NC - a small town approximately 20 miles south of Wilmington, NC, and north of NMB. For those of you that would like to know - it's exactly 45.6 miles or about 55 minutes from NMB - depending on who's driving. If Dad or I'm driving, it takes around 55 minutes; Scott Brinson can do it in about 40.

If you’re traveling, as we were, through Eastern NC by car – wait… how else would you be traveling through Eastern NC? Train? Helicopter? Rickshaw? Anyway – a great place to grab some quick Eastern NC style BBQ is Smithfield’s. The great thing is that there are probably five of these fine establishments between Chapel Hill and NMB. I’d recommend the “BBQ sandy combo” – a BBQ sandwich, slaw, fries, and sweet tea. Put the slaw on the BBQ and grab a fork – some of the BBQ will fall out, as they pile it on at Smithfield’s. Finish it off with some banana pudding – Excellente! Why, Lee, do you bring up such a random anecdote about you trip to Hilary’s wedding? This is of note because as JK and I sat eating our BBQ, my CA born, southern food hating wife turns to me and says, “You know, I like this better than Wendy's.” (Wendy's is our usual stop on this trip, much to my chagrin.) Oh, such sweet words have never been spoken! My wife has finally succumbed to the acquired taste of NC BBQ. We’re going to be working on seafood next.

We rolled into NMB around 900p. Mom and Dad had already arrived and Scott, my little brother, who’s on leave from Afghanistan, was coming the next morning. Bedtime came relatively early for everyone, as we had to get going early the next day. Evidently, Amelia missed the memo about getting a good night sleep - she thought her wake-up call was 300a. Finally, out of desperation (it’s now 600a), JK decided to take Amelia for a soothing, sleep-inducing drive around town. As they went down to the parking lot, JK noticed Scott’s truck… and a sleeping Scott. Apparently, Scott changed his plans and drove to NMB that evening. Why was he sleeping in his truck, you ask? The condo’s door was locked, and being the thoughtful guy he is, Scott didn’t want to wake the baby. JK and Amelia hopped in our car, Scott went upstairs, and I continued to sleep soundly, having no idea that any of this is going on. This is not uncommon in my house, as I sleep like a bear hibernating for winter.

I woke up a bit later and noticed that JK and Amelia were gone. I got up to give some moral support to the wife and perhaps give her a break from attending to Amelia. I walk into the living room and notice someone sleeping on the couch. Thinking it’s JK and Amelia, I approach slowly, but stop immediately when I hear a low growl. “If you come any closer I will hurt you.” With a quick hello to my little brother, who I haven’t seen in seven months, I continue looking for my wife and child. Finally, I realize that JK’s taken Amelia for a drive and I head back to bed.

Friday morning arrives and it’s time for the festivities in Southport to begin. JK, Mom, and my aunt, Joan, hosted Hilary’s Bridesmaid Luncheon at a great, old Victorian, house downtown. From all accounts it was a huge success. While that’s going on, the boys - Dad, Scott, Uncle Doyle – and I, along with Amelia, grab some lunch at a local seafood restaurant. After lunch we pick up the girls and head down to NMB. There’s just enough time for us all to change into our party clothes before making the return drive back to Southport for the Rehearsal Dinner.

(PHOTO: Site of the Bridemaids Luncheon. Southport, NC - 10/21/05 - JKB)

The dinner is on a boat that tours the Cape Fear River – you know, the river from the movie of the same name. Thankfully, our boat ride was nothing like the one in the movie! It’s quite an evening and we have a great time getting to know the Wilkes - the groom’s family. We forgave Chris, the groom, early on for being an NC State graduate and are thrilled to have him as part of the Brinson family.

Amelia was spectacular for the entire dinner (2+ hours) and, next to the bride and groom, was the hit of the party. There was one strange moment soon after we boarded the boat. We’re all on the top deck of the boat hanging out; I was swinging Amelia around by her arms. (Believe it or, she loved it – don’t call Child Services just yet.) This is when the weirdness set in… an older lady approached me and asked, “Is that a real baby?” Scott, of course, looked at the lady like she’s got a horn growing out of her head. To say I didn’t know how to respond was an understatement. #1, I’ve never been asked if my child was real or not, and # 2 – why would a grown man bring a doll to a Rehearsal Dinner? I hesitantly introduced Amelia to this “crazy?!” lady and did my best to convince her that, yes, the baby was real.

(PHOTO: Happy crusin' family. Cape Fear River ~ Southport, NC - 10/21/05 - JKB)

After dinner there was a rockin’ after-party, hosted by the groom’s aunt and uncle, at a small, dockside, restaurant. Being the lightweights that they are, Mom, Dad, JK, and Amelia headed home before it started. Scott and I stayed to get our groove on. I spent most of my time catching up with Joan and Chris and their good friends, Robbie and Camille. Scott was seen bobbin’ and weavin’ throughout the crowd, talking to one pretty girl after the next.

Around midnight, Scott and I make the trek, once again, down to NMB. Boy, was that drive getting old! Everyone’s asleep when we get in. It turns out that on this particular evening I don’t sleep like a hibernating bear – unusual for me. Around 230a, I hear Scott get up to use the restroom. Hearing the toilet flush, I roll over to go back to sleep, snuggling up to Amelia who is sleeping with us. As sometimes happens, JK fed her a bit earlier and they both fell asleep. I roll over just in time to see, and feel, Scott climbing into bed with the three of us. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself, as I image this same scenario in Afghanistan – he climbs into the wrong foxhole and curls up next to another Special Forces guy. “Wrong bed, wrong bed,” I say as quietly as possible, trying not to wake Amelia. Scott grunts unintelligibly, gets up, and heads back to his room, unaware that any of this has happened. JK and I look at each other and chuckle.

Saturday morning greets us with eager anticipation of Hilary’s nuptials. Mom, Dad, Amelia, and I hop in the golf cart for our standard breakfast at the Atlanta Bread Company. JK and Scott sleep in a little bit. I get JK her regular chocolate chip muffin top and small milk – she’s so easy to please. For Scott, it’s a 24-ounce QUAD-shot iced latte. Who says we don’t eat a balanced breakfast?!

It’s a leisurely morning, followed by a quick lunch out, and then it’s time to start rooting for the Tar Heels. For those of you unfamiliar with my “quirks”, as I like to call them, watching a Carolina game is NOT an easy experience for me. Some would say that it’s no fun to watch with me. I pace, stand, get really close to the TV, and call plays from the couch - not understanding why the team isn’t following my coaching. Now, take that and multiply it by three – Scott, Dad, and me. Combine that with the fact that this was a very ugly win by the Heels - and thank goodness they won - you’ll probably have an idea about how on edge the entire house was during the game.

At the beginning of the 4th quarter it's time for us to head to the wedding. We can’t find the game on the radio, so we’re reduced to checking the game on my cell phone. You haven’t lived until you’ve watched me “watching” a game on my cell. There’s no context whatsoever. You only get “UNC 7, UVA 5 - 1:00 4th - UNC has the ball.” Imagine the conversation I’m having with Scott, as we try to figure out how the Heels are giving the game away. Finally, I read the game is over, and mercifully, UNC has won. The car cheers!

We arrive at the wedding and Amelia is a peach during the service. She sits on the floor and uses the kneeling bench as a Cheerios buffet. The service is beautiful - bridesmaids dressed in light blue dresses, groomsmen clad in khaki pants, black jackets, white shirts, and Carolina blue ties. Of course, I tell Chris that he must really love Hilary if he’s willingly put on a Carolina blue tie, being the State fan he is. Hilary enters the church looking amazing and after heartfelt I-do’s, the rest is history, as they say.

(PHOTO: Prayin' for more cheerios. Southport, NC - 10/22/05 - JKB)

The reception was conveniently across the street at the Southport Community Center. Like the view, the food was spectacular, but I might be biased. It’s the stuff Scott and I grew up on – soft-shelled crabs, boiled shrimp, steamed oysters. We’re in heaven!

Soon the shagging began, as the 15-piece big band belted out one hit after another. (For my non-Southern readers, “shagging” is a style of beach dancing, similar to swing dancing.) We have no explanation for what follows - Dad ends up with a napkin tied around his head, like Ralph Macchio in The Karate Kid, and he’s cutting a rug with the best of them. Amelia’s dance card was full, as she took turns twirling with every Brinson there. Sadly, we said goodbye after the cake was cut – Amelia’s chariot was fast turning back into a pumpkin.

(PHOTO: "Wax on, wax off." Southport, NC - 10/22/05 - JKB)

If you can believe it, we made one last drive back to Southport early Sunday morning. (For those counting, a total of nine trips between NMB and Southport, were made in three days.) We were on our way to breakfast for the weekend’s “icing on the cake” - a mini Brinson family reunion of sorts. Granny and Poppy hosted Brinson’s from up and down the Eastern seaboard. It was wonderful to have some quality time together and hopefully, we’ll get to do it again, soon.

(PHOTO: Three generations of Brinson cuties. Southport, NC - 10/21/05 - JKB)

And with that, we bided adieu to Mom, Dad, and Scott, and our month of weddings came to an end. If you’d like to see more photos from Hilary and Chris’ wedding, click here.

Fall has arrived

Brrrr... It's cold! Somehow we went from 80 degree weather to the low-60's overnight. Where was the warning? You'd think after nine years living here, my California blood would have thickened by now. Amelia is getting good use out of the "boa" scarf her Great Grandmother Eva Belle made for her... keeps her toasty warm!

(PHOTO: Amelia the elf. Chapel Hill - 10/25/05 - JKB)

Visiting with Scott

Great news... Scott's home for a quick visit! Last April, two weeks after Amelia was born (3/14/05), Scott (Lee's brother) was deployed to Afghanistan for the second time. (This is his third tour in almost as many years - two in Afghanistan; one in Iraq.) He is to serve one year overseas, but has come home for a brief two-week leave. There was no sweeter site than to lay eyes on him at Charlotte airport last Saturday (10/15/05). Amelia and I joined Burt and Gayle (Lee and Scott's mom & dad) to greet him and start the celebration.

(PHOTO: Welcome home Uncle Scott! Charlotte, NC - 10/15/05 - JKB)

The good folks at Delta gave Burt and Gayle a pass to get through security and they were able to meet Scott at the gate. Delta knows how to win the heart of a soldier's mom! Amelia and I waited in baggage claim, happily playing on the floor. Upon seeing Scott come down the escalator, Amelia let out a big giggle - she's knows a good thing when she sees it! The sweetest part was watching the reactions of other travelers. It's hard to miss a handsome soldier traveling in his BDU's. Add in a baby - who everyone thought was Scott's daughter - and everyone will notice. Scott received many "thanks for what you're doing over there" comments from folks as we headed to the car.

Soon we were off to Salisbury. Scott was craving a shower, Outback, and some well deserved sleep. He was also excited about setting up his new computer - ordered online while over in Afghanistan, imagine that. We've been able to spend lots of time with him during his leave - down in North Myrtle Beach for Cousin Hilary's wedding (recap post coming soon!) and for three Carolina Hurricane's games here in Raleigh.

It will be hard to say good-bye on Halloween when Scott heads back overseas. We're proud of the job he's doing and are grateful folks like him are serving our country. We look forward to his homecoming early next year (2006), when his tour is finally over.

(PHOTO: Let the fun begin! Salisbury, NC - 10/15/05 - JKB)

Brinsons in Beantown

¡Ay, caramba! My original post just got decapitated, a vicitim of technology. Upon clicking “publish,” a dreaded error message danced on the screen. Had I saved my text – no! All my funny musings about our trip to Boston for Stephanie (Hylan) Recupero’s fabulous wedding dissapeared in a poof of vitrual smoke. After regrouping (picking myself up off the floor after kicking and screeming), I've rewritten and revamped my post. Here are our TOP TEN Boston moments…

(PHOTO: Meet the Recupero's - Bill & Steph. Boston, MA – 10/1/05 – JKB)

10. Duncan Donuts (everyday). Mere steps away from our hotel, we became “regulars” at this fine establishment. Lee enjoyed the “Pat’s Special” daily, mom changed her order up each time, and I ate way too many chocolate frosteds. What about dad you ask, he put us all to shame by not once giving into temptation.

9. Strolling down Newbury Street (SUN – 10/2). What could be better than window shopping on Newbury Street? Having lunch at one of the many charming street-side cafes with mom, dad, Lee and Amelia.

8. The Bridesmaid Cocktail party (FRI – 9/30). What an event! Stephanie outdid herself, hosting a truly special party for all the girls in her wedding. It was a great opportunity for us all to get to know one another – we had heard stories about each other for many years and were finally getting a chance to match names with faces. There was lots of laughter, tearful moments, and a whole lot of love in that room.

(PHOTO: Steph and her wonderful girls. Boston, MA – 10/1/05 – JKB)

7. The Rehearsal Dinner cruise (FRI – 9/30). Held on a boat, we were treated to extraordinary views of the city at night. Dinner was delicious, we made new friends, and enjoyed many heartfelt toasts/roasts of the bride and groom. All in all, it was a terrific evening!

6. A walk down memory lane – Needham, MA (FRI – 9/30). We had such fun touring the town, checking out the former homestead, and regaling Lee with all sorts of important Kemp-Needham stories. The highlight was definitely visiting with the Reynolds. Pam Reynolds, one of my mom’s dearest friends, treated us to lunch at her home with her lovely daughter-in-law Sandra, and her two cute grandkids – Sophia (3 yrs.) and Gustavo (6 mths.). The meal was delicious (we all left with the soup recipe!) and the entertainment unparalleled. Sophia performed her rendition of Cinderella, complete with real tears over not being invited to the ball. It gave us a welcomed glimpse into our future – we can hardly wait for the Maddie and Amelia production of Sleeping Beauties!

5. The Red Sox game (THU – 9/29)! Stephanie arranged for the wedding party (I was a bridesmaid) to go to the Sox vs. Blue Jays game. What a treat! Amelia had her first subway ride with all the crazy Sox fans clad in red, we all got to see the infamous “Green Monster” at Fenway Park, and we thoroughly enjoyed meeting a few of Steph’s family members from Germany and some of her dearest friends. Enjoying a dog at the park and teaching Amelia about the great American past-time, while watching Boston beat Toronto, made for a memorable evening!

(PHOTO: Lee, Julianna, and Amelia visit Fenway Park for the first time. Boston, MA – 9/29/05 – JKB)

4. Visiting Paradise - in Warwick, RI (MON – 10/3). It was a visit many years overdue! To say we enjoyed our visit with Joe, Stacy, and Stella Paradise is an understatement. Even though it had been so long, it felt like the old days living with Stac on Crescent Heights. Meeting beautiful Stella was more than a treat. She is such a great girl – a perfect blend of her mom and dad. Amelia made a friend for life! Hopefully, it won’t be so long between our next hugs.

(PHOTO: BFF - Stella Paradise & Amelia Brinson. Warwick, RI – 10/3/05 – JKB)

3. Judy, Judy, Judy (SUN – 10/2). Life in NC just isn’t the same without Judy – filling the hole she left has been hard to do… if it’s even possible. We all (mom, dad, Lee, Amelia, and me) had a great dinner together at Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market and got all caught up on each other’s lives. (We are so proud of Judy! She is now an owner in the restaurant where she’s worked since moving back to Boston. If you’re ever in the city, be sure to stop by b.good to grab a bite to eat!) The evening ended WAY too early. The best part was that Amelia got to meet one of our best friends – “Aunt” Judy.

(PHOTO: Meeting "Aunt" Judy. Boston, MA – 10/2/05 – JKB)

2. The Wedding & Reception (SAT – 10/1). Getting ready in Stephanie’s suite; mom, dad, Amelia, and Lee, stealing an early peek at the GOREGOUS bride; a trolley ride to the historic church for the ceremony; the crowd outside the church watching Steph getting out of her vintage chariot; hearing those two beautiful words – “I do!”; taking pictures in the park with a 100+ crowd watching; the outdoor cocktail reception at the majestic Boston Harbor Hotel; Steph’s personal touches felt in every detail; the father of the bride’s sweet toast; sitting at a stellar table with our great new friends - Bob & Monica (Maid of Honor) and Jen & Joe (Best Man); dancing to a fabulous band; and decorating the bridal suite. It was an incredible celebration and a wonderful tribute to Steph’s creativity, expert planning, and deep love of friends and family. What a wedding!

1. Tears of joy! (SAT – 10/1). Nothing could have been sweeter than watching mom run – yes, run – pushing Amelia in her stroller, to catch one last glimpse of Steph as she left for the church. In true Carolyn Kemp form, those beautiful eyes of hers were filled with the dearest tears of joy. It means so much to me that she cares for one of my best friends in such a loving way. Talking to Steph after the wedding, she mentioned that mom’s tears were one of her favorite moments of the weekend. Never change mom - never!

Bonus: Hearing the story, as told by Steph upon returning home from her honeymoon, about how she had to be cut – yes, CUT – out of her wedding dress after leaving the reception! That’s a story for another time…

It was a FABULOUS weekend and being able to share it with mom and dad only made it more special. How do you thank your parents for being so amazing?! Standing by Stephanie's side as she married such a fine man was an honor I will treasure forever. Introducing Lee and Amelia to the place I grew up was so much fun and something I've wanted to do for a long time. Visting with old friends Stacy and Judy was the icing on the cake. We can't wait to visit Boston again... soon!

(PHOTO: Amelia HATES saying good-bye to Grandma & Grandpa. Boston, MA – 10/3/05 – JKB)

Blogging with the Brinsons

Wooooo hooo! Mom and dad have started a blog to tell the tale of our lives. What's so interesting about us you ask? I'm not really sure. I only have seven months with these people... I don't know them very well yet.

So far, they seem pretty great - a little weird, but I think I'll stick with them. I do know that we laugh a lot and hopefully, you will too when you read about our adventures. Check back from time to time to see what's happening with us.
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(PHOTO: Amelia trying out her "fairy" Halloween costume. Chapel Hill - 10/16/05 - JKB)

With family on both coasts, and friends in between, we're often on the road. That should make for some good stories. Gus, our puppy, makes me laugh uncontrollably - I think he'll make you laugh too. Mom and dad work hard, but are better at playing. We have lots of fun together and they tend to act silly. I guarantee that will make for some great posts!

I can't read yet, but someday I will, and I look forward to reading your comments... feel free to leave as many as you like. Until next time, Amelia.

COMING SOON: Our October update. It's been a busy month - three weddings in four weeks (1. Boston, MA: Stephanie Hylan - one of Julianna's best friends; 2. Mebane, NC: Steve Edwards - a friend of Lee's; 3. Southport, NC: Hilary Brinson - Lee's cousin), Amelia went to her first NC State Fair, and Scott (Lee's brother) came home from Afghanistan for a quick visit. Our blog "staff" is fast at work preparing our post - you'll get an email when it's published.