We are crazy

for doing this at 10:30 p.m. last night:



And the whole time I'm going, "why, oh why did those Sherwin Williams guys tell me to use oil-based paint??????"

I have visited those all-knowing Sherwin Williams dudes three times now. Each time I said, "are you sure I should use oil-based paint??" And each time they reassured me, and one time they sold me paint thinner to clean the brushes, because they totally failed to inform me of that before I totally ruined the expensive brushes that they totally convinced me I needed the time I was there before.

ANYWAY, we did have fun, and the piano does look much better with a second coat. After the third coat, it should be ready to go! We're thinking we need to host a piano concert once it's done...

Hopefully we'll have pictures of the finished product soon! (Assuming Rick remembers how to put the piano back together...)

ice cream?

See? He really slept in the shower.



When we went to eat breakfast, we figured out that when asking for ice cream, he really meant cream cheese, on a bagel. A common mix-up.

Almost Heaven, OBX.

Every other summer, the Dickson family approaches a heaven-like state in the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. This year's trip was my first time going in 6 years, and it was spectacular.

Those in attendance:








A few things that we did:













Ongoing Parcheesi and pool tournaments throughout the week, the traditional talent show (Dana's magic trick gets me every time!), delicious dinners every night, the Newlywed game and other fun activities, inspirational morning devotionals, late night hot tubbing, and an unforgettable mothers' advice panel made OBX 2009 pure heaven.

Amazing Ashley -- post edit

Ashley is my favorite sister and the best auntie Carson and Everett could imagine. Here is a tribute to her.

**And she is the sneaky author of this post!

We're at the beach.

With all of these wonderful people.

Tomorrow, we will bid them farewell, say our last goodbyes to the ocean, and head back home sweet home.

Winston Salem, here we come!