OBX 2011: Barrick Family Vacation

Now that it's officially Fall, I figured that I should probably blog the images from our vacation back in AUGUST. Fail. I'm sorry.

We had a great time in Waves, North Carolina on the beautiful shores of the Outer Banks (OBX). This was the first vacation we've taken with all of us together (at least since Bobby and I have known each other) and we had a great time! The Barrick's had never been to OBX, so it was fun for Bobby and me to show them around. We all had fun noting the differences between there and Ocean City, MD, where the Barrick's vacationed growing up. Quite a difference! Anyway, it was fun to make some new memories with everyone together.

Everyone spent most of the days on the beach. Bobby spent every morning's sunrise on the beach with his Jeep. He took Nick and Amanda's boys with him one morning, which Benjamin loved! We built a camp fire another night on the beach, and saw some fireworks! We also celebrated Joey's 20th birthday (Bobby's youngest brother).

This was really our first vacation as a family with Camden around. It was definitely a lot of work, but we all had a good time!

Next Barrick vacation: New Zealand, Christmas 2011!!

Mmm, sandy toes.

Thanks to Nick and Amanda for loaning us this UV tent for the babe. He slept in it for a lot of the time we were on the beach.

Hey, look! I made it into a picture!

Andrew: Fearless.

The Barrick Boys (minus Joey and Benjamin)

Jido and Camden

Nana is pretty fun on the beach: she dug this huge hole for Ben!

Camden's first time in the pool! He started kicking his legs like he knew just what to do, it was so funny!

I love this: Ben reading about Tractors to Cam.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Joey!

I think I posted these before, but we took a family picture of ALL of us together!

ALL of the Barrick Boys: 3 Generations

Aunt Amanda can get him to laugh real good :)

Nana and Jido with the kiddos

Mmm...summer sun. I can almost feel the warmth from this picture.

One of the last nights, we had a campfire on the beach! Good times.

This is a terrible photo, but it's the only one we have of the 3 of us from the trip - ugh!

Ben and Joey's friend, Peter. Love this shot, too funny!

The guys lit up some cigars

Gorgeous sunset over the sound one of the nights. Beautiful!

Jack the Fighter

God is in control.

There is peace in that phrase for a lot of you. In particular, there is peace in that phrase for my sister and brother in law. As you know from my last post, Baby Jack (my newest nephew) was born last week. A beautiful baby boy with the most adorable round, little face and dimple chin...

Several hours after the was born, the pediatrician discovered that little Jack had a heart murmur. To check things out even further, Jack was sent to Children's National Hospital up in Washington D.C. After several tests and finally, a fairly simple and common procedure, the doctors discovered that one of the valves in Jack's heart was not functioning properly. Thankfully, the procedure was successful and Jack was on the road to recovery. About a day after the procedure was done, recovery was not going as planned. They were trying to wean Jack off any medication and oxygen to see how he (and his heart) would respond. Unfortunately, his heart would not relax as the doctors had hoped during the weaning process, so it was off to the NICU for closer care.

Yesterday we were updated that Jack had been intubated for nourishment and that his oxygen levels were slowly creeping up - this is GREAT news! The doctors will be evaluating him this week to see how he responds, and if his heart will relax enough to close the valve to the heart, which was opened during the procedure last week.

Bobby, Cam and I met up with my parents and siblings at the hospital all day Saturday to be with Christina, AJ and baby Jack. It was a day filled with support and lots...LOTS... of praying. It is comforting to know that Christina and AJ both know and are confident that God has everything under his control, and that if they fix their hopes in Him, they will experience "perfect peace." In the midst of a hospital filled with sick children and my sweet nephew, Jack, peace and hope is exactly what they need.

I ask you, dear readers, even if you've never experienced the peace and hope of Jesus, that you would pray for Baby Jack. Please pray for healing and strength for Baby Jack. Pray for continued hope and peace for Christina and AJ. Pray with thanksgiving that we live so close to one of the best medical facilities in the whole country, and that Jack is receiving the best care possible. Praise God for the miracle of life that Christina and AJ have experienced in the birth of Baby Jack. Lastly, please pray for wisdom for the doctors who are working with Jack.

Jesus is the ultimate healer, and we are encouraged by that knowledge. Thank you for praying, and please continue to pray and keep Baby Jack, Christina and AJ in your prayers. Updates will follow soon.

Hello Baby: Check it out!

Do you love babies? You need to check this one out over at my Photog Blog. Here's just a sneak peek:

Playing with Potatoes

Martha Stewart got the best of me tonight...

Back in January, my sister-in-law and I got tickets to go see Martha in New York City. Trying to get myself excited (like I needed any help), I fervently watched any and all episodes of Martha I could. One of the episodes had these stay-at-home-Mom's as guests who had their own business. The business was called "Sweet Potato Prints" and they made baby and children clothes using potato cut-outs and fabric paint to make the CUTEST little prints.

I quickly went online to see if I could order some of their items for the plethora of nieces and nephews I have only to find out how much they were charging... $20 for a stinkin' onsie!!!! I'm no mother or anything, but I'm pretty sure plain white onsies are some of the cheapest baby items you can buy (hey, isn't there a band called Plain White Onsies? Tees? Oh, ok... The Plain White Tees)! Anyway, in an effort to create my own crafty concoctions for less, I decided to do it myself.

$20 TOTAL in supplies later (yes, that includes the 10 Plain White Onsies), I have, well only 6 (I got tired and Bobby started yelling at me to come to bed) some very cute baby products to show for it. Now if only I could get my hands on some babies... Just kidding.

But seriously. They are totally fun to make!


...and you better not call my "Fish" design a Pac-man.