Weekend Update: Our Weekend at the Ball and a little bit more:

On early Friday afternoon my parents arrived just as Charli was waking up from her nap. Even though we were all very excited to visit with Nana and Papa we had to head off to the Pediatrician for Charli's 15 month check-up (at almost 16 months... but more on her stats and a little 'Charli Update' tomorrow!) Immediately after Charli's doctor's visit, I was off to the hair salon to get my hair styled for the ball by my fabulous hair dresser (whom luckily lives next door to me..Score), then back to the house to get ready for the Marine Corps Ball!

I wish my hubby could wear this more often!

Dinner Dress Blues

You have to love "Movember"... 

Then kisses to my parents for watching Charli for us so we could attend and kisses to Charli as she was basically pushing us out the door! ;)

It was such an honor to be invited to the Marine Corps Ball. I have yet to attend a Navy Ball since Steven and I have been together (we have been out of town every time), so this was a real treat for me! 

As some of you may know the Marines Corps and the US Navy work closely together and are often referred to as the the Navy/Marine Corp Team. I found this out first hand as there were alot of Navy Sailors and a few other Navy Officers there and it is awesome to see the unity between the branches! 

We were seated at the front table and with it being my very first time attending, I loved being able to capture some of the ceremony

The Birthday Cake

Cutting of the cake

It was a great evening spent with some great people!

Love my handsome hunk of an Officer (mustache and all I guess) ;)!  

Oh this... Just getting down to get down! ;)

Me and Kelly

Shaun and Steven

Saturday morning started another Drill Weekend for Steven (courtesy of the Government Shutdown in October), so he was up and at em before the sun came up, while we all continued to snooze! 

Late morning, my parents, Charli, and I headed out to the outlets to do a little shopping...

And some Papa and Charli time on some fun little rides was in order of course...

Charli on the 'Choo Choo'

After a little a lot of shopping, we met Steven out for lunch, then headed back to the house for a relaxing afternoon! 

When Charli woke up from her nap, it was out to the backyard to run around and play, in her new Gator cheer leading outfit that Nana got for her in Gainesville! 

Win or Lose, we'll always wear our Orange and Blue! 

Go Gators! 

Saturday evening was spent hanging out, grilling some amazing fresh caught local shrimp, drinking, and watching football! 

Perfect end to a perfect Saturday with my parents!

Sunday morning started with waffles and coffee, a walk around the neighborhood, Bloody Mary's, some backyard time, then my parents heading out. 

I wish they could have stayed longer, but at least we will see them in one week!

And Thank you so much again for coming up here this weekend to watch Charli for us! 

The rest of Charli and mine's Sunday (since Steven was at work and it was raining) was spent napping and lounging around and watching more football! 

And Sunday ended with me cuddled up on the couch with the man of my dreams! 

And yep, you guessed it... 

Since it was a Drill Weekend our weekend wasn't over just yet... 

We got to spend today with Daddy! 

This morning I let Steven sleep in while I also made him breakfast (best wife ever right?!) ;) then we headed out for a little Monday morning walk before the rain hit

Does it get any cuter?! I think not! 

Charli LOVED walking Bailey and thought it was the funniest thing ever! 

And this? Well this just melts my heart! 

My family, my beautiful little family! 

After nap we decided to have a family outing and headed to Riverfront Park

 Riverfront Park is in the North Charleston area, and this location used to be the old Naval Yard. The city has really made it into a nice little area...

With huge lawns to run around on

A park area and a really awesome swing hanging from an old Live Oak

A boardwalk right on the water

Pointing to the 'Shishies' (fishies)

Looking for more 'Shishies'! ;)

 But what I loved most was that they kept an awesome area dedicated as the Naval Base Memorial

The Lone Sailor Statue

The Homecoming Statue

  

It was a perfect afternoon spent with my family and Charli had a blast running around looking at everything! 

We finished our day with a family date night and called it a weekend! 

I hope you had an amazing weekend as well! 

Charli in Charleston: Backyard Fun:

From Charli's Chair:

I am so happy that my Daddy got us stationed here! I miss all of my friends back in Monterey but I love getting to see all of my family all the time now (my Nana and Papa will be here tomorrow) and making new friends! 

My mommy and daddy are always taking me places, or my mommy takes me shopping, or we play with friends. I have had a lot of fun since we moved here.  But want to know what I like to do the most... I like to play in my big backyard with my puppies!!

My mommy didn't let me play outside a whole lot when we first moved into our house because it was so hot... But it is not hot anymore and now it is colder so we play outside everyday and it is so much fun!

I like to run!
 Chasing my puppies or when Mommy and Daddy chase me is the best:

I like to dig in the dirt with my shovel (and hands):

I like to pick up the leaves:

And pick the pretty flowers that my mommy tells me 'no':

And then my Mommy always has to have her camera in my face when I am trying to do stuff...:

I guess it is OK because I see how happy it makes her and that makes me happy!

***

I love living in Charleston!

Until my next adventure... 

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo charli

My Style: Plaid and Pearls:

There is nothing that I love more than a strand of pearls, but pair it with some plaid or even gingham... This girls in heaven! 

You will be seeing a lot of this tartan plaid shirt these next few months. It is a Fall/Winter must have for sure! 

Sweater: Banana Republic | Jeans: J.Crew | Shirt: J.Crew | Shoes: Tory Burch | Watch: Michael Kors Link Bracelet: Stella & Dot | Anchor Bracelet: Palmetto Moon  

Necklace: gift from my wonderful husband! He got me this beautiful 100 inch strand of pearls last year for my birthday and I love how many different ways you can wear them! (Pictured above: they are wrapped 4 times)

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo Traci

Weekend Update: Thanksgiving before Thanksgiving, Birthdays, and drinking way too much:

Friday was a pretty low key day, just running a few errands and making sure we had everything for our family's arrival! Amia and Sarah got in Friday evening while Jettie and Lealenn drove through the night and got here first thing Saturday morning. 

All arrived safe and sound!

Saturday morning started off with Steven and Amia heading out for a run (which they ended up running a half marathon) they are freaking awesome, way to go guys, while us girls took a nice little 2 mile walk around the neighborhood! When we got back, we rewarded ourselves with pumpkin muffins that I made and Mimosas (perfection)! 

Saturday afternoon we headed outside to our next door neighbors house to celebrate little Wyatt turning 5! 

Happy Birthday Wyatt, we are so happy we could celebrate with you (bounce house and all)!

Charli's first time in a bounce house and this little girl was in heaven!! 

After the birthday celebrations it was on to getting Charli down for a nap, while we hung out in the backyard... Playing some jumping contest, a little volleyball, and of course a little beer pong while the turkey was in the oven. 

Late Saturday afternoon we gathered around our table to share a wonderful meal together! 

Our Thanksgiving before Thanksgiving was absolutely perfect and I am so happy we could all celebrate together!

After dinner and some more naps, it was time to get ready to hit the town... Not only was it Jettie's Birthday weekend, but a couple more of our friends Birthday's as well, and we all met up downtown for a little fun... or a lot of fun! ;)

Happy Birthday Shaun and an almost Happy Birthday Kelly! 

 Parent's Night Out doesn't happen very often, but when it does... 

 Steven and his buddy Matt. 

Matt was also in Monterey with us and is now also stationed in Charleston! 

(Nice bottle of wine Steven)! haha

Happy Birthday again Seester!

 For us to be able to go out meant we used our very first babysitter for Charli for the night (which we still put her down for bed before she even arrived, and Charli just slept), but it was still a huge step for us! And I look forward to being able to have date nights again now that we found a babysitter! 

And I may or may not have had a little too much to drink that night... (why do I do this?!) haha. I have come to the conclusion that I definitely cannot hang anymore and I am officially old... It has taken me 2 full days to recover... 

Never. Drinking. Again. ;)

(OK maybe... but not drinking like I did Saturday night)

So needless to say, you can imagine what our Sunday looked like...

Family left

I slept

Charli napped

I slept again

Went for a Sunday stroll in the neighborhood 

(which I felt like I was going to throw up the entire time)

Layed on the grass outside while Charli put grass and leaves on me

Layed on the couch while Steven made dinner

Ate dinner

Put Charli to bed

Put myself to bed...

It was a perfectly lazy kind of Sunday! 

This morning, Steven met a couple of friends for a round of golf at River Towne Country Club since they were offering a huge deal for Veterans Day. Meanwhile Charli and I lounged around, cleaned, did some laundry, and went for a walk. And we ended our weekend/Veterans Day by going out to dinner for a Command Fundraiser. 

We are looking forward to my parents arriving and a fun weekend ahead.

The Marine unit Commanding Officer and Steven are friends so he has invited us to attend the Marine Corps Ball (Steven is also helping out with the Marines Toys for Tots this year)! I have yet to attend a military ball so this will be a first and I am so excited! 

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend as well and Happy Veterans Day again!