Keeping up with the Carters

Wow! I have gotten really bad at this blog update thing. So, here goes another long-winded, yet filled with fun details all about our summer, update!

JUNE

We have a Doctor in the house! Christopher graduated from pharmacy school on June 5. It was a memorable weekend filled with many of the family and friends that we love dearly. We could not have asked for a happier celebration to celebrate all of Christopher's hard work and dedication. After all the festivities, we were fortunate enough to have both of our moms stay a little bit longer to help us pack for our move to Saint Petersburg. Their help was greatly appreciated by Christopher and me!

While Christopher spent most of the month of June studying for his board examinations, I took some time off from work and went to North Carolina for a week. I celebrated my best friend from college, Ashley, and her upcoming marriage at her bachelorette party in Wilmington. We celebrated her in great taste by visiting Duplin winery, soaking up some sun on Figure Eight Island and eating fabulous food all weekend long. After the bachelorette festivities, I spent some time at home with my family. It is always great to catch up with them!

Carolina Girls...Best in the World

Lunch & Wine Tasting at Duplin Winery

Out on the Town in Wrightsville Beach

Pi Love

Gracie & I at the Pool

Kai & I Riding in Grandma's Car

JULY

The first weekend in July, we made our "big" move to Saint Petersburg into our adorable, bungalow home in the historic district known as Old Northeast. It is a quaint old home with hardwood floors, a claw-footed bath tub, a fenced in backyard and everything is just our size! We absolutely love the area and feel we can make this area our home.

Christopher began his residency program July 5 and has hit the ground running in the program. He absolutely loves the VA Hospital, the staff and his co-residents. I think it has been a great fit for him.

I made a professional decision and left my job at Massage Heights. Between the extensive commute to Sarasota, and the unknown expected opening date of the Brandon location, I accepted a position at a managed health care company in downtown Saint Petersburg. It was an excellent decision! I am working for the Human Resources department and am learning new working skills and things about the company everyday. I am hoping to continue to plant more roots in the ground, so to speak, and continue to grow with this company.

AUGUST

We got to experience our first taste of what its like to be a professional as we attended a pharmacy conference in Orlando. Christopher represented the VA Hospital in hopes of recruiting current pharmacy students for the 2012 residency program. It's a life we can get used to...free car rental (we'll ignore the fact that it was a minivan) and a free night's stay in the hotel. Thank you US Government! Jackie and Alan also participated in the conference; so we were able to enjoy some time with them and ate some great sushi at Dragonfly. We couldn't go to Orlando without seeing Gary and Brandon. They treated us to a fabulous celebration dinner at Ruth Chris' steakhouse; it was a great evening filled with fantastic food and wine. And, of course, our weekend would not be complete without them if we didn't play games!

The Famous Godzilla Roll

Christopher's residency class has lovingly named time that we (spouses and loved ones included) spend together outside of the hospital "Spring Break Sunday." We have cooked out, gone on boats, played games, eaten pizza, etc. It has been a great way for all of us to get to know each other and spend quality time together.

SEPTEMBER

With some time off for Labor Day weekend, my parents took advantage of the holiday and drove down to see us. It was a great weekend packed full of things...from shopping at the outlets, to eating sushi, to playing games, to painting the inside our house! We certainly know how to do a few things in a short amount of time.

We got to spend an afternoon with our favorite football-watching family, the Bradleys. Boone has gotten to be quite the big boy and we loved our time with them!

Earlier in the year, Jackie, Alan, Christopher and I purchased a Groupon for a catamaren adventure in Tampa Bay. We spent a Sunday morning on the open sea with fabulous weather, food, drinks and company! It was so much fun and I am pretty sure we will do it again one day!

Derek Jeter's Home - The Size of a Best Buy

I made a quick 48 hour trip home to North Carolina to celebrate Ashley and Andrew's wedding. It was everything Carolina and was absolutely beautiful and perfect for the two of them! I was truly honored and felt so special being able to come and be a part of a wedding where two people truly care about and love each other.

My Beautiful Niece, Kennedy

The Gorgeous Bride!

Christopher's family came to visit us last weekend. Again, another packed weekend of fun for us! From shopping, to playing games, to spending time outside, to family portraits in Palmetto, we had a great time together.

I have recently developed an interest in cupcake making. I have brainstormed ideas and have begun playing in the kitchen. I think Christopher loves having weekly treats to munch on! In my dream world, I will one day open a shop called Sweet Southern Comfort and all its yummy treats will be inspired by the fabulous cities of the South. Take a look at some of my creations!

The Memphis - Banana Cupcake with Peanut Butter Frosting

The Louisville - Chocolate Bourbon Cupcake with Chocolate Frosting - Topped with Pecans

The DC - Spice Cupcake Topped with Cream Cheese Frosting - Filled with Apple Pie Filling

Now, that you are yet again caught up with the Carters, we hope this update finds everyone doing well and getting ready for the fall, and even, holidays season! It is hard to believe Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner! We will be traveling A LOT in the next coming weeks...Amy and Nick's wedding in Kentucky, Orlando for Epcot's Food and Wine Festival, Thanksgiving in New York City with the Miller family, New Orleans for Midyear Pharmacy conference and a quick drive to Kentucky and North Carolina for Christmas. As they say, it's the most wonderful time of the year!

Long Overdue!

Well, so much for keeping my new year's resolution. I guess that is the way most of them work out anyway...good intentions, but not enough time. So, to recap the past 4 months, I believe bullet points are sufficient (Right, Kimmy?!)...

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Christopher spent his January pharmacy rotation at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.

We hosted a Super Bowl party complete with hotdogs, hamburgers and all the "fixins."

Christopher applied to 7 residency programs and received 4 interview offers...1 in Kentucky, 1 in North Carolina and 2 in Florida.

Christopher spent his 2 final rotations in Kentucky. He was able to enjoy quality time with family and friends, eat gingerbread men and drink great coffee from the Hub.

I had the joy of experiencing my first call to jury duty. After spending 8 hours in the courthouse lobby waiting to be called for questioning, I was not asked. Thank goodness for iPhones and new apps!

My mom came to visit me for a week while Christopher was away. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together exploring Venice, the Ringling Museum, eating great food, doing lots of shopping and getting facials. It was a lot of great mother-daughter time with lots of laughter and fun.

Christopher matched at Bay Pines Veteran Affairs Hospital in St. Petersburg.

I spent a long weekend in Kentucky with Christopher. We toured bourbon distilleries with our good friends, Amy & Nick. We also ate at the infamous Wallace Station and watched the disappointing Final Four basketball game in downtown Lexington.

Gayle, Christopher's mom, came to visit me for a weekend. We, too, had a great time shopping and eating great food.

Before Christopher's return to Bradenton, he spent some time in Atlanta. He visited with his distant cousin, Cheryl, and her family, as well as our friends Brady & Sean. I think it was a great taste to the city life we are about to endure!

Once Christopher returned home, we set out to find our "new" home in St. Petersburg. We spent numerous hours on the Internet and the phone as well as traveling to the area several nights per week in search of a home. Finally, after 3 weeks of searching, we found a home that will be perfect for us. We will be moving to an area called Old Northeast, which is part of the historic district of St. Petersburg. Imagine brick streets, oak trees covered with moss and picket fences; that's the neighborhood we will be living in. We are excited we will be able to walk to the beach, shops, restaurants, bars and church.

We have ventured to the beach a few time to enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Earlier in the year, we purchased a 4-day Disney pass. On May 1, we visited Animal Kingdom. The weather was perfect for the rides, the food and seeing the exotic animals.

This past Saturday, we went to Disney's Hollywood Studios and spent the evening with Gary & Brandon playing games and drinking wine. We always have a good time with them.

We just returned this evening from a weekend getaway to St. Augustine. I surprised Christopher by taking him there for his graduation gift. We had an incredible time in the old city touring by bicycles, sightseeing, eating TOO much food and staying at an adorable B&B. We definitely plan to return as we said it is one of new favorite cities. We also have decided we will be purchasing bicycles when we move to St. Petersburg. It is the way to travel the town!

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So, now that you are all caught up, I will let you in on what is in the future in case I frequent this website later as opposed to sooner...

Christopher is graduating from pharmacy school Sunday, June 5.

We are moving to St. Petersburg July 1.

Christopher begins his residency July 5.

I have been offered and have been accepted the position as Retreat Director at a new Massage Heights in Brandon, Florida. I am very honored and happy about this position. The Retreat will open later this fall.

Until next time, we hope everyone is doing well, loving life and having fun! We certainly are!