Fun Weekends with Friends

After our many snow days (and before a few more) the weather took a break and turned really nice for a couple of weekends lately. We were able to enjoy the nice weather with friends. 

We went to Carol's annual Mardis Gras party (a costume party, this year there was no specific theme). 

The next day was gorgeous so we took the dogs (including Barley, Jennifer and Ricks puppy) to Blue Jay Point to run around and swim a little bit. 

That night we went to Kristen and Ryan's for dinner,

she prepared a delicious low country boil!

 And of course her banana pudding for dessert... the boys loved it. 

Brew Dogs (a brewery in Scotland but also now a TV show that goes around and visits different breweries around the US and brews a beer "special" to that area) came to Fullsteam in Durham. Trey had just caught up on all of season 1 so he was super excited that they were starting season 2 locally. We went to the show taping and got to taste test the beer ourselves! 

 It was "the most calorific beer" .... a beer float: a stout brewed with fresh NC maple syrup and bacon (from Rose's meat market in Durham), topped with ice cream, maple syrup and bacon! It was delicious!

 Brewing on the porch on a nice Sunday:

We hadn't been to the beach in a while so we were free St. Patrick's Day weekend and headed down. Jennifer and Rick came down with us and took Barley to the beach for the first time!

 We went down to the Emerald Isle St. Patty's festival and beer tent.

 And we enjoyed relaxing at home and walking on the beach. 

 It was a very relaxing weekend... until Saturday night when Vegas woke up every hour or 2 to go throw up. She hadn't eaten her food in over 24 hours (probably too much excitement) and we think that was the culprit. She got chicken and rice the next 2 days that she thoroughly enjoyed... and seemed to feel much better Sunday and back to 100% by Monday. 

 Exhausted on the ride home.