Another Summer Trip To Savannah

This was our 4th trip to Savannah, Georgia in the summertime. 

We went last year because Briana attended a seminar/camp at SCAD, and that is exactly why we went to Savannah again this year.

While Briana was enjoying her week at SCAD, Doug and I spent the week relaxing and celebrating my (belated) 50th birthday.

Temperatures were definitely warmer during this trip than last year, so we spent most of our time venturing out in the mornings and evenings and then resting the hotel in the afternoons, soaking in the air conditioning.

We spent time again on the riverfront...

We went swimming...

 We enjoyed numerous delicious meals together...

We visited a beautiful historic cemetery one day...

And of course we spent a day shadowing Briana at SCAD...

 

As with all our trips, we experienced some hiccups, but overall, I would say the trip was quite successful. Doug and I had a fun, relaxing, enjoyable trip - and Bri had another great SCAD experience and learned a whole lot.

 

Posts about Savannah are coming up next...

16th Briana Day Anniversary

16 years ago today, Doug and I met our beautiful Briana (Jiang Ai Juan) for the first time in Chongqing, China at 4PM in the afternoon on July 30th, 2007.

 It is difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that it has been 16 years.

It was an emotional, joyous, overwhelming, terrifying day for all of us...

Doug and I had a crash course in becoming first time parents to a very confused and busy one year old on the other side of the world. We all got through it - it wasn't easy, but we made it.

We cannot imagine our lives without our beautiful Briana. She was our miracle and gift on that day - and she still is.

Here is our gotcha day/travel video once again... Here's to 16 amazing years.

Art Of The Brick Lego Exhibit

I wanted to do something out of the ordinary for my birthday. I thought about going to a museum, but I didn't realize just how many museums are closed on Mondays. It's kind of crazy. So many cool things are closed on Mondays - which is when my birthday landed.

We had done several cool immersion experiences and I looked into that instead. I ended up finding the "Art of the Brick" experience. I have two avid Lego fans in my house and we all love art, so I thought it would be perfect.

We arrived mid-morning and the venue wasn't too crowded at all at that time - which was great...

Once inside, it was all about Lego ~ the entrance area...

 

All the artwork was created by artist Nathan Sawaya...

This was the first room...

The second room...

The third room...

The fourth room...

The fifth room (video of this is at the end of the post)...

The sixth room (video at the end of the post as well)...

The seventh room (also video at the end of the post)...

 

 

 And the final room (where the store was)...

And here are some cool videos...

 

 

  

 

  

 

We loved the experience. It was a perfect birthday morning! I just wish it could have lasted longer! I highly recommend this exhibit if it ever comes to your city.

50th Birthday Festivities Recap

My 50th birthday festivities are officially over now and it's time for me to dive into this new decade. It's had a few bumps so far, but there have been some really great times so far too.

Two days before my birthday, my family (parents, sister/BIL/nephews) came over to my house help me celebrate.

My mom and Briana decorated my dining room, and I was spoiled with cake and some lovely presents...

On my actual birthday, Doug, Bri and I started the day at the Art of the Brick (Lego) Exhibit (and I will be blogging about this separately - just too many pictures taken!)...

Right after seeing the exhibit, we had an amazing lunch at The Capital Grille. She-crab soup, steak salad, crab cake sandwich - it was all delicious. The restaurant had a birthday card sitting on the table for me as well as some sparkles! And then they brought me a special birthday dessert...

When we got home, I had not one, but two birthday flower bouquets waiting on my front porch (yes - the one with the lilies was the one Mei got into, but it sure was beautiful) and a bottle of Prosecco from loved ones. Doug and Bri decorated the breakfast area for me, and they made me birthday brownies...

Bri got me an adorable stuffed panda and Doug gave me a beautiful necklace and earrings. Doug also lovingly decided to gift me a bottle of Advil since I turned 50. You can see how thrilled I was - but I can't say I don't need it though - heh.

I honestly felt the love all weekend.

Then a week later, Doug and I brought Bri down to Savannah for camp and he and I had a quiet week on the river walk, so I could continue to celebrate my 50th...

And finally on Saturday, I had a fantastic girls night with my sister and some of my closest girlfriends at The Melting Pot...

So much laughter, storytelling and chit chat. The food was delish and the drinks were amazing. It was really a great night to celebrate!

I was very excited getting ready for my girls evening...

And I truly felt the love that night as well.

So that is how I celebrated my 50th! Good times!

Ok 50 - I (think) I am ready for you.

The Art of the Brick recap is coming up next...