My uncle Eric (who is only a few years older than I) and his wife Maya had a baby girl a little over a week before we had Finnius Maximus Arileas. Something must be in the water around here.
Say “Hi” to Bella.
Bella is short for Isabella – She’s a cute one.
Here’s Grandma Mary…she’s loving this baby explosion.
Dear people who have twins…you are amazing and deserve something like heaven. Dear people who have triplets, quads, quints, or more…you deserve any type of drugs you want.
I’m not sure Finn knows what to think about all these new humans arriving.
Here’s Nicholas, my little brother, holding Mr. Finnius. I remember holding Nick when he was this small.
This is Ava with her buddy-Aunt Chloe Marissa. Chloe is my little sister who is going to be 3 soon. Don’t worry…I can’t really figure it out either. All I know is that Ava’s aunt is younger than she is. Weird.
Speaking of not being able to figure things out…I have no idea what’s going on here:
Oh yeah…I almost forgot…there’s another new human here. Ryan and Carrie (our housemates – we live in community – because we’re crazy) have just had their new baby about a week ago. This is Asher.
Finn’s got yet another new buddy-friend. And yes, our house is insane right now.
Speaking of an insane house – we’ve also got an unwelcome infestation happening. It happens every year and yet I forget about it until it’s a problem each time. We’ve got Brown Recluse Spiders!!
You might remember a past post about these nasty little dudes:
http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/09/need-spider-assistance.html
Well…I got bit a few years ago on my ribs while cutting grass and it was hideous. A couple weeks ago I got bit on my inner thigh while I was sleeping. This morning we shook out a blanket that had one in it and then I put my shoe on and ripped it off in a panic when I felt something move inside. Yep…it was another Brown Recluse. I’ll be making a trip to Home Depot today to get something to kill em’ good. I can’t risk one of these spiders biting any of our little humans.
I think I’m ready for a vacation. I think I’ll leave on Friday.
We’re going on an all-family vacation for a week at Surfside Beach in South Carolina. Anybody live around there? Any tips for making the most of it?
So far my plan is to read, sit on the beach, swim in the pool, and accomplish nothing.
Speaking of reading…
I got a gift card to Borders for my birthday and I had a 50% off coupon for one item. What that equals my friends is me finally owning a book I’ve longed for. The Professional Chef
Additionally, I had to grab something fairly mindless – for anecdotal purposes, I bought a copy of You Are One-Third Daffodil: And Other Facts to Amaze, Amuse, and Astound
Where else are you going to learn things like:
“A typical man is 50 to 70 percent water, a typical woman, 40 to 60 percent.”
- Rocky Mountain News, April 15, 2003
“There are twice as many privately owned tigers in America as there are in the wild across the world.”
- The Guardian, February 2, 2007
“Only 3 percent of male birds have a penis.”
- The Economist, May 5, 2007
“Jack Kerouac typed at one hundred words per minute.”
- The New Yorker, April 9, 2007
“The marathon is the only Olympic distance track even never to have been won by a Kenyan.”
- The New Yorker, August, 2008
“The U.S. government’s terrorist watch list contains around 755,000 names.”
- CNN, October 25, 2007
“There are more than one thousand chemicals in coffee. Twenty-seven of these were tested on rodents; nineteen were found to be carcinogenic.”
- BBC Radio 4
“Only half of American adults have read a book since leaving high school.”
- Random House
Anyone have any other MUST READ books I should consider taking with me on vacation?
Beautiful little people in your life now. Enjoy, for they will all grow up.
How about taking Pioneer Woman Cooks by Pioneer Woman???
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yay, I own this book (the Professional Chef, not the other one – though, it looks like a gooder too.) I love it and I get all excited like that when someone blogs about something I love so passionately. Serious, PASSIONATELY! Best book ever – just sayin’.
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okay, the whole spider thing creeps me out beyond words. In my opinion, one of God’s experiments that just didn’t quite work out. YUCK!
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I am currently reading “90 minutes in Heaven” and am amazed by the story. I think it is a must read!
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Will you adopt me so I can go to Surfside Beach too?
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The Know It All by AJ Jacobs. He reads the encyclopedia from cover to cover. It’s crazy, but very interesting, and easy to read in little bits, which, with children, is a must. All of his books are good, but I like that one especially.
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I’m betting you’ve already read it, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on The Shack. So, if you haven’t read it…I suggest that! It isn’t really “light” reading but it has changed me…I’m discovering faith.
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Hi Ryan,
With all those deadly spiders and risks of bites, I recommend getting a bottle of activated charcoal. It’s good for removing and soaking up toxins.
Look up Nature’s Way Charcoal on iherb.com and check out the reviews for its many beneficial uses.
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Rob Bell books? Donald Miller books?
Dang…i bet you are going to be gone on vacation when we are in Cincy visiting Cara!
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Ryan, I can’t believe it!!!! I go to Garden city beach, next to Surfside, every other year for the last 30 years. YOU MUST go eat at Bubba’s. It’s in Surfside, across the street from the beach but I don’t know the address. Go to the Garden City Pier. Go to Drunken Jack’s in Murrells Inlet, best hushpuppies anywhere. Good steak, too. Great deck out back, order drinks and appetizers while you wait on table. The kids will love looking at the goats and the boats while you’re waiting. It’s a fantastic place. We love it. Let me know what a great time you have and please post pictures. Watch out for riptides. love you.
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A line from You’ve Got Mail keeps playing through my mind….when Tom Hanks is spending the day with his aunt and brother who are significantly younger than he and he says to Meg Ryan…….
“We are…an American family…” That’s y’all for sure! So cute these little babies are.
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Such cute babies! I don’t have any babies in my life right now. Young adults, teenagers and pre-teens…we have THOSE!! I assume the babies will come soon enough!
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have you read Wide Awake by Erwin McManus? so good, and so shattering my universe with awesome right now!
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All I want to say is that picture of your wife with the Darth helmet cooing at you boy is awesome! She rocks! But you probably already know that
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What a cute bunch of kids. Must be one seriously loud nursery you have sometimes. I’m with #3 Kat, spiders, all of them are seriously YUCK!
And lucky Ava gets to tease Auntie. My Mom and her twin were really mean to their Uncle Billy…same age, same elementary school. My grandparents were oldest children in big families so my mom had uncles younger on both sides. My dad was youngest of 13 so his was reversed and full of girls.
I cleaned out my closet last week and found my Robert Fulghum books…always a good read. You remind me of his style…funny and thoughtful. But stick to the funny, you are on vacation, no thoughtful thinking allowed.
Have a good beach time and stay safe.
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I live about an hour from Surfside…things I recommend:
- the Tanger outlets in Myrtle Beach (2 locations), especially with a new baby. They have a Carter’s outlet.
- Benjamin’s Bagels – love, love, love!
- Surfside pier – fun to walk out on the pier & watch the ocean and fishermen.
- Ice cream – shop near the pier or other places around town. You just have to eat ice cream at the beach.
- Take a kite (or buy an inexpensive one) – fun to fly on the beach.
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We too have a brown recluse issue in our house. Get lots of glue traps and place them in corners and along baseboards and in closets. Unless you spray directly on them any kind of poison will not kill them. They don’t taste with their feet so it is no good.
We have been battling the recluses for at least 7 years and can’t get rid of them. we are vigilant about checking beds before we get in and shaking shoes and towels out. Our kids know if they see a spider, no matter what kind, they are to get us to come kill it. Good luck!!
Have a fantastic vacation! I wish I had some fun places for you to visit but alas, I have never been there.
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The Alchemist!
Joshua
And I’m currently reading Joshua and the Shepherd, very good and a nice continuation of “Joshua”
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My must read is To Kill a Mockingbird. I have read it every single year since the first time I read it – in the 6th grade.
Oh… and The Professional Chef is amazing!
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I just read “Rage Against the Meshugenah”, a really funny and touching book by Danny Evans on his bout with depression. I know, sounds like a real buzz-kill for vacation, but it’s a must read. He’s “Dad Gone Mad” one of the funniest blogs out there. And YUCK on the spiders. Hate them, hate them, hate them. Have fun on vaca though!
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Yeah my family is like yours in a way. My oldest brother is in his 40′s and my youngest sister is 14. She’s younger then my 18 year old nephew. It’s all really strange and I’ll figure it out someday!
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I’m amazed you’re going to Surfside. It’s like you’re a real person or something.
Have fun.
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Crazy Love by Francis Chan
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Have a great vacation! My hubby just bought me The Professional Chef for my bday. I can’t wait to dig in and hone some sweet skills.
Those Borders coupons rock! Blessings to you!
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It is A-STOUNDING how much Finn looks like his dad. Crazy funny and cute.
My husband had some wacky uncle/nephew stuff going on in his family at one point. Unfortunately, that uncle was killed in car accident 8 years ago.
Sometimes the family situation is a bit nuts.
Your family is so good looking, and you guys look like you have a lot of fun!
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Working backward:
If you haven’t read Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road” yet, please do. As you’re a man, father, husband, brother, friend, and shepherd I think you’ll find the book both harrowing and inspiring–always thought-provoking. (Some might say it isn’t quite beach-reading material, but I can’t think of better places to read deep works than by the water–stream, river, or ocean. Plus, you _are_ going to the coast–a reference you’ll get when you read the book or watch the film’s trailer.)
I am a big fan of Schott’s Miscellany books. Thanks for the alert on the Nuttall. (I laughed b/c Tom Nuttall is also a character on HBO’s “Deadwood.”)
I have the C.I.A.’s “Cooking at Home.” Indispensable: instructive and instills confidence.
Many thanks for the scale photo of the brown recluse. I had no idea such tiny monsters were about our parts of the Ohio Valley.
You have a house of adorable. As one who can only partially manage–emotionally, physically, financially–a fairly simple household of two (plus animals) I’d love to hear more on how you and your wife and your housemates share responsibilities. How do you do what you do? (I’ve been reading the blog “The Art of Manliness” by Brett and Kate McKay and it’s helping, but the logistics of maintaining–not to mention building–a life just seem to confound me at times.) How does one order the chaos?
Thank you for your words and guidance. May all of you be safe in your travels.
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Lovely kids. My brother and I have had all our respective kids at about the same times, so lots of babies around here for a while, too.
If you have not read “Bleak House” by Charles Dickens, you are missing out! But it’s not really light reading for a vacation. Maybe you should pre-order “CakeWrecks”. That would be some fun vacation reading!
And don’t forget your Bible.
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Love the photos of all your people – the little ones are amazing
I also grew up spending chunks of my summers in Garden City beach, right next to Surfside – it’s one of my most favorite places on earth! I second all of Pat’s recommendations. We also always loved eating at the River City Cafe in Murrels Inlet – it’s one of those places where we could draw on the walls with crayons, throw peanut shells on the floor, and the BLTs were *awesome*
Pawley’s Island has great little shops. Oh! And there’s an amazing consignment shop on the way down through Murrels Inlet and Pawleys, too…I’ll have to ask my aunt for the name. I bet Alison would love it! Brookgreen Gardens is always a treat, too, and they have some neat Fall programing.
Don’t swim near the Garden City pier – the sharks hang out there because of all the fishing, which for them is a “free lunch.” But definitely go out on the pier! And play racing games in the arcade there
You’ll be there when the turtle patrols are out – my aunt is a “turtle mama” and helps watch for and protect the nests. If you guys would be interested in checking out these amazing little critters, let me know!
Have a great time!!!
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I want to know more about community living!
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Put down the spider killer the second before you head out the door so you don’t affect your little humans in the house!
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So, I read your post early Monday morning and then Monday night I look on the wall and what do ya know…there’s a Brown Recluse. I have never in my life seen one of these and I wouldn’t have known what it was if it wasn’t for your post. I think God spoke through you..he said “kill the spider” haha. We normally don’t kill every spider we see because they can eat all the other bugs, but this one is better dead. Thanks!
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House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. It’s a monster, though, at 709 pages.
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Thanks, Melanie for your comments. It’s always nice to find someone else who loves Garden City. Ryan, I’m going to send you a pic of the front of Bubba’s fish shack. The little shops and the arcade outside the pier in Garden City are so much fun. Go there, and eat at Sam’s corner. Great food there, too.
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Baby cheeks, yuuuuuumy!! Soooo cute!!
And whahahaha, yes, I know I’ve seen a photo of you somewhere on this blog that looks EXACTLY like that photo of Finn named ‘BabyRyanClone’
I actually like little spiders, think they’re cute
Now, those big ones, yuck! Never been bit by one (thank allll my lucky stars!), but just looking at that photo gives me the heebie jeebies…and shivers… and goosebumps, ick.
Ooooo, try ‘The Game of Kings’ by Dorothy Dunnett, a truly SPECTACULAR novel! Historical fiction at its ABSOLUTE best!
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The question is – did Jack Kerouac think at 100 words per minute?
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I don’t live close but I have been to surfside – you will love it. And exactly what you plan – do
NOTHING…..
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No suggestions for a book.
Lovely family – enjoy all those babies while you can.
Watch out for the spiders.
Just wanted to say….you will not see beautiful water like that in Surfside Beach. The Atlantic around here (NC & SC) looks a little more on the dirty side; must be the currents off our shoreline that keeps things stirred up. Don’t let this keep you away; we still have one of the prettiest beaches around!
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If you like books of random facts, why not try anything from the QI series? QI (Quite Interesting) is a British comedy panel show with Stephen Fry and Alan Davies, and is all about knowing stuff that is, well, quite interesting, really. They’ve put out a few books so far, from which you can learn such pertinent information as “polar bears are attracted to toothpaste.”
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ok, I’m totally skeeved out by the spiders! I actually got up and moved on my couch and got all nervousy and looking around. I hate bugs, hate them hate them hate them. I really don’t understand them in the Creation from God, but my sister (who is a California Buddhist sort of) said everything has it’s purpose, but will someone please tell me what the purpose of those disgusting stink bugs are that show up in the late spring/early fall here in pa? Oh, sorry, you got me all off topic and stuff. Back to the books: I totally recommend the Sword of Truth Series (which I read one after the other last summer into the fall) and would be happy to send you if you’re interested, and also this book was just recommended by my daughter’s World Geo teacher at a Catholic H.S–They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan by Benjamin Ajak, Benson Deng, Alephonsian Deng, and Judy Bernstein. Her teacher said it’s an amazing book and he’s actually trying to raise funds for them to come to their school and give a talk! I haven’t ordered it yet, but I do have a $5 Borders Buck coupon waiting to be used–guess I should probably buy that one instead of putting it towards the latest Sookie Stackhouse book. LOL! Have a wonderful vacation–and all of the kids/babies are gorgeous!!!!
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Finley looks more and more like his sister every day. LOVE the perplexed look – those eyebrows are AVA beans. I recommend a book that is out of print, but available via Amazon – A Place At The Table, by William Elliott. His other Book, Tying Rocks to Clouds is on the same vein, but not quite as thought provoking. I’d send you my copy, but I’ve given several of them away and those folks have in turn given those copies away.
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I am a mother of twins. You made me feel amazing today.
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Love the pictures!
Books:
1. The Road
2. The Shack
3. Driving with Dead People
4. The Glass Castle
5. Memoirs of a Geisha
6. Kite Runner
If you have a need for books, email me – have a slew of them and might have the one you want and I’d be willing to give them to you. Once I read them, they sit on the shelf.
Have a wonderful vacation!
Marissa
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Hey- Surfside and Garden City are family oriented. You’ll love it. You ought to try your hand at crabbing. Chicken neck or back on a string. It’s fun to do with kids. Blue crabs pinch though watchout for
fingers. Even if you don”t have anywhere to cook them, you can do catch and release. They have to be at least 4″ to 5″ from pt to pt on their back. It’s also shrimping season on the coast, you may want to head over to Murrell’s Inlet and check out the docks. And the best place to buy Seafood is in Murrells Inlet. About a 10min drive South on 17 Business. They have some good restaurants down there and a neat boardwalk. You could show Ava the goats on Goat Island. It’s behind Dockside restaurant. You are going off season so some places may be winding down.
The Garden City pier has a little arcade on it and across the street is Sam’s Corner. The best Nasty Hotdog around and the beer is ice cold. Also Garden city has a little tiny Grocery store, that sells crabbing stuff. Sometimes there is a band on the Garden City Pier. Garden City is south of Surfside. If you look down the beach from the Surfside pier Garden City is the next pier. ( It’s farther than you think to walk it. Little people tire out ) Don’t get caught up in the commercial part there is so much more to the coastal area down there.
Oh and take your time driving around people drive like they are lost and confused, and the locals drive like they are ticked off!!
Have a great time. You’ll love it.
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Such beatuiful little babies! I sort of live in a community too, we are four generations of family living in three houses close together, and we share the garden that’s between the houses.
My baby girl is two months now, and one of her aunts turns six months tomorrow!
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Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton, if you haven’t already read it. Very short book but takes a while to read because every paragraph or two you have to pause and go through all the places it leads your thoughts to. One of those must-read books that is electrifying to read as the truth leaps off the pages at you. And, after reading it, you are profoundly changed. I know it doesn’t sound like a vacation book, but when else do you have the opportunity to freely follow the path and connections your mind travels through on a great read? I read it on vacation and say it is one of the best I’ve ever read.
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