My visit home to South Carolina started with a bang….or maybe I should say…a baby!  My mom picked me up in Charleston where we stayed for 2 nights with Brad, Suzanne and Augusta Clare.  My mom and I were on babysitting duty so we had fun playing with AC, giving her baths, and all of the other fun stuff that you do with babies.  I love being an aunt!!

Do I look awkward holding a baby?

Splish Splash I was takin a bath

Then my mom and I went back home to Columbia and the headed off to an event hosted at the home of the President of the University of South Carolina in honor of U.S. Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Stephen Breyer who were visiting the state for the SC bar convention meeting.

USC President Pastides speaking, standing beside his wife, Patricia-Moore, US Senator Linsdey Graham and South Carolina's former Attorney General Henry McMaster

Not only is Michael generally a fan of Justice Scalia, but Scalia actually also started his legal career working as an attorney for Jones Day, SO Michael sent me on a mission to meet him and get a photo at the event.

With my parents meeting Justice Scalia!!

Mission Accomplished.

Finally, I was able to snag a night out in Newberry with my grandparents and my Aunt Sheryl.  We went to Delamaters for dinner, one of my old favorite restaurants, and enjoyed amazing She Crab Soup, Shrimp & Grits, and family time.  🙂

Nan and I with our matching scarves that Sheryl made! Thanks Aunt Sheryl! 🙂

I miss you all already but am so glad we got one final trip in!  🙂  xoxox
Ash

During this time of transition, one of the hardest questions for me to answer is the question of: What have you been doing all this time?  (Because to be honest, I’m not really sure.)  In some ways it feels like we’ve been waiting forever, but at the same time there has been so much to get done that I have always felt pretty busy.  Either way, it has been a blessing to Michael and me that this transition time has allowed us to spend more quality time with both of our families, as I know we will be missing them dearly from Brazil and visits won’t be quite so easy.

As I’ve said, after we moved out of our apartment and left San Francisco on Jan 7, we stayed with Michael’s parents in Arizona.  I took a week-long trip to South Carolina to see my family but I’ll post about that next.  For now, take a look at some of our Arizona highlights:

1) First, let me say that while I clearly cannot post a photo of this, it was SUCH a highlight for me to be there when Michael’s oldest sister, Christy, bought her wedding dress!!!  The wedding is in July so you will see plenty of photos then, but she looked so stunning and I’m just thrilled that I was there for that moment!

2) Michael ran the Phoenix Rock & Roll Half Marathon with his other older sister, Lise!  It was so much fun cheering them on I am so proud of them!

Team Harper Cheer Squad! Me, Sharon, Kennedy (and her mom, Janey, who was behind the camera), Christy and Ollie.

Michael and Lise at the half-way point coming through Sky Song - stopping to say "hello" to their number 1 fan, Kennedy - and looking great!

Champions!!

3) Phoenix Symphony with Sharon & Ollie — amazing!

all cleaned up!

4) Hiking around Phoenix

Ollie took Michael and me on his favorite hike -- great views!

5) Our trip with Sharon & Ollie to THE GRAND CANYON!  Michael hadn’t been to the Grand Canyon in years and I had NEVER been so it was definitely on our list to-do.  To ensure that we got the full experience, we took the train from Williams (a small AZ town) to the canyon.  The train was full of entertainment (i.e. we were “held up” and “robbed” on the train, were entertained by a guitarist and an accordion player, etc.) but the best part was absolutely the view.  We were in the “dome car” so we were on the second story and the ceiling was all windows.  You could see for miles around and we passed tons of wildlife including herds of elk and antelope!

On the ride to the GC in the dome car!

"Entertainment"

We arrived at the Grand Canyon station

Ollie and Sharon looking fabulous!

and then just had a quick, 2 minute walk to the historic El Tovar Hotel where we stayed the night.  From the time we arrived until we left we were constantly amazed by the incredible nature of the Grand Canyon.  It was cold and a little icy so we weren’t able to hike down any trails, but we walked a lot of the rim and enjoyed amazing views at every stop.  Michael and Ollie even saw 3 California Condors!
Such incredible beauty and wonderful memories.  It was hard to say goodbye!

BIG thanks to Sharon and Ollie for hosting us for the past few weeks and for all of the fun fun fun that we had together!

PS – Notice anything else different??  Apparently working remotely has some other perks…Michael decided to grow a beard!

So, I’m a little behind on posting so bear with me as I do Christmas first then follow up with New Years (Happy 2012 everyone!).  That being said, Christmas is absolutely one of my favorite holidays.  I love the meaning, the smells, the celebration, the food, the fun and of course, spending it with family.  This year Michael and I celebrated Christmas with his family in Arizona.  The Harpers are an incredible family and have loads of fun traditions.  Here is a look at what we’ve been up to the past week…

1) Christmas Eve:  Christmas Eve started with a beautiful outdoor mass at 5pm (only in Arizona can you do an outdoor mass on Christmas Eve!).  Then, the Christmas Eve tradition is to have a big dinner with their long-time friends and neighbors, the Griego family.  The Harpers and Griegos alternate who hosts on Christmas Eve, and this year it was the Harpers’ turn.

The entire Harper/Griego clan

The night starts with drinks and appetizers

Michael & Joe -- resident mixologists

Next up is dinner.  To fit everyone, the Harpers rented a tent to put out on their patio with the table and chairs all around.

The beautiful tented table area! Set with the famous oyster soup.

The meal always starts with oyster soup that everyone complains about (but I think it’s good!), followed by tamales, enchiladas and salad.  Dessert is rice pudding and there are always hidden whole almonds in some of the bowls. Whoever finds an almond gets to open a gift, however these “gifts” are always a little… unique.  🙂  This year there were almonds in all of the kid’s bowls!

After dinner the gambling commences with the legendary dice game!  🙂  The great thing about this is that the Harpers and Griegos supply the money, so for all of the kids, it’s pure fun.  This year Michael’s dad Ollie really mixed things up by bringing out the $2 bills!  It was an exciting game but in the end, Kelly Griego came out on top this year!  Finally, the hats always make an appearance before the night is over.

All the "kids"

2.) Presents!  Since we were leaving early the next morning to head to Sedona, we decided to open gifts before bed on Christmas Eve.  One of the great traditions for gifts is that each Harper sibling (spouses and fiances included) are assigned a Secret Santa.  This year Joe was assigned to me which is great luck because Joe is known for being a fantastic Secret Santa.  He totally delivered this year by getting me an awesome, hot pink Lulu Lemon zippie and my very own yoga mat!  Thanks Joe!

Joe is a great Secret Santa!

Shannon (in her new fur vest), Lise and Mocha during gifts

The other major highlight of the night was when Christy and TJ (newly engaged!) asked all of the siblings to be in their wedding!  I will be a bridesmaid – yay!!!!!  Can’t wait to celebrate with them!

I'm a bridesmaid! Lise & Shannon are co-maids of honor, Joe is a groomsman/musician and Michael is a groomsman/THE OFFICIANT!!!

3.) Christmas Day: We spent Christmas day this year at the Harpers’ cabin in Sedona.  It is absolutely magical out there and we had a blast celebrating with the whole McCain crew (minus Jack – we missed you!).

All of the Harpers in front of the cabin

4.) Day After Christmas: The day after Christmas we headed back from the cabin and had another party in Phoenix.  The Harpers had lots of their family visit so we got to utilize the tent again for another fabulous meal.

Whew!  It’s been a lot but a LOT of FUN!  I hope you’ve had lovely holidays!!

xoxox

So, I realize that this Thanksgiving post is a little delayed, but hey, we’re moving continents, so I’m a little busy these days (more on those details soon).  At any rate, Michael and I had a fabulous Thanksgiving visiting my family in South Carolina.  Here are a few highlights…

Highlight #1: Meeting my PRECIOUS niece, Augusta Clare Zais.  Upon my arrival into Charleston, I was greeted and picked up by the cutest, newest Zais family: Brad, Suzanne and Augusta Clare.  I hadn’t seen Brad & Suzanne since their wedding so it was great to stay with them for a few days to catch up, hang out, see their new house, and of course, spend lots of quality time with AC.  She is suuuuuper awesome and they are fantastic parents.  Makes me so happy.  🙂  Michael also loved getting to meet his niece — he was great with her.
           

Highlight #2: Thanksgiving day with the entire Derham clan.  The Derhams were my mom’s mom’s parents.  They had 4 children: my grandmother Clare, her two sisters Sue and Sallie, and their little brother, Johnny.  This Thanksgiving all 4 of the Derham siblings, all of their kids, all of their kids, and all of their kids (which is actually just Augusta Clare – she is the first of her generation) + spouses were present.  It’s always a little chaotic but it’s family, it’s great food, and it’s lots of fun.

Highlight #3: Clemson vs. Carolina football game!  I grew up a Clemson fan because my grandfather went to Clemson and he is one of the most enthusiastic and loyal fans out there.  However, my mom went to the University of South Carolina AND my dad recently became a Board member there due to his current office as State Superintendent of Education.  This is really sweet because it meant we had great parking and box seats.  This was not sweet because it meant that I could neither wear orange nor cheer for the Tigers.  To compromise Michael and I wore neutrals and just embraced the amazing energy in the stadium.
So much to be thankful for right now but family is and always will be at the top of the list.  Hope your Thanksgiving was filled with fun and highlights too!

Beautiful Augusta Clare was born happy and healthy at 10:13am on Friday, October 14th — 5lbs, 10oz and 19.5 inches long.  Augusta was Suzanne’s great grandmother’s name and her great great grandmother’s name.  Clare is my grandmother’s name.  Beautiful, southern, classy and meaningful.  🙂

After a tough couple of weeks for Suzanne, they performed an emergency c-section Friday morning.  The original due date was November 3rd so although it was a little early, the baby was ready and she has been doing just wonderfully.  Suzanne is taking her time recovering but has already been an absolutely fabulous mom and my big brother Brad has just been the most incredible dad and husband, taking care of everyone.

So excited to be an aunt, so proud of Brad and Suzanne, and DYING to meet my adorable niece!!  I’ll be there soon!

Love,
Ash