Binnerfamily.org

What a Weekend!

John — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:56:25 +0000

So this past week on March 3rd was Jen and mine’s (I’s? that didn’t sound right) 16th wedding anniversary. I was lucky enough (thanks!!! you know who you are!) to have a free night to the Westin on Hilton Head Island. I took it a step further and made reservations to Robert Irvine’s Eat! restaurant on the island also! More after the break.

So we left our house and drove over to the Island around 3pm. Check-in was for 4pm. We got there a bit earlier then that, and they gave us room 5004, which is Ocean-Front 5th floor, and wow what a view!

So after we enjoyed the room and got showers and such, we got ready for dinner. We started off at Casey’s Sports bar for a drink and an appetizer. From there we left for Eat! How do I even describe this place other then WOW? Dark teak-wood walls, beautiful red chandeliers, and just a very nice feel to the place.

Now, I went into this whole experience for dinner saying to myself, “OK, if Robert IS in town, don’t make an ass of yourself and “OMG!” the guy. lol Well he helped me out on that one himself! lol As we walked into the restaurant, Robert Irvine walks up to me and says in that English accent, “welcome! Glad you could make it!” and shakes my hand. Somewhere deep down I conjured up the ole Marine “keep ya bearing Marine!” and managed to shake back, and act all normal. lol But OMG ITS ACTUALLY HIM! Lol After that he asked me if I didn’t mind stepping one step to the left so 3 ladies could get a picture taken. Now at this point I am slapping myself for leaving my cell phone in the car, politely, and not getting any pictures. Well, I live here, I can come back. lol Anyway, after that we were taken to our table.

So for dinner….and I know you are all dying to know. lol (click here for menu)

Appetizer was baked brie, lemon caramel, herb flat bread (***note here, this stuff was INCREDIBLE!!!)

For Dinner, Jen had a glazed pork chop (not on the menu online)

For Dinner, John had the NY Strip (OMG STEAKKKKKKK! lol)

For Desert, Jen had Creme Brulee which looked very good, but anyone that knows me knows when I am drinking good beer, I cant do sweets. lol odd I know but just how I am. So, on the way out, I said to myself again, “OK, if he’s in the area, just ask him, talk to him. Well, again, he helped me out, and happened to be walking through the main dining area. lol So, I said, “Robert, I’m dying to ask, what is with the Philly shows on Dinner Impossible?” Well, he gave me a nice surprise and talked to me for about 10 minutes about his office there, we talked about a possible Paris Island show (we need to write letters people!!!), Lebanon being my home town, and just a very nice discussion. needless to say, I left the place VERY happy I had the chance to meet him! And Jen, you could have talked to him too!

After dinner, we went to HHI Brewing Company (sorry no link, Juan talk to me dude lets get you on the web! lol), and I am not going to say much about that. Ask me in private if you wanna. From there we bar hopped, tried the Piano bar but wasn’t our scene, was country night and just not what we wanted. So we ended up at Mellow Mushroom for a couple drinks. From there we stopped at HHI Dinner for some HUGE cookies and trying to find some killer eclairs, but they were already out.

So needless to say, the entire night at dinner, and after, and the entire weekend was a very nice “departure” for us. I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did! Happy 16th Jen!

Happy Birthday Ashley!!!!

John — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:12:30 +0000

Oh my god, my daughter is 9!!! lol I am REALLY getting old. We had a nice family and a few friends for her party, and I hope she enjoyed it. You can see some photos below by clicking on the thumbnails. Happy birthday sweetie, we love you!

New Car!!!

John — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:55:49 +0000

Well, it took me all day, but I got it done! Click the photos below for some shots of the new ride.

Snow in Bluffton, SC!!!

John — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:52:01 +0000

We got snow overnight, I’d guess about 2-3 inches? I know, I’m a yankee, but for the kids, and even for us, this was weird! lol Check out the photos by clicking on the thumbs below!

Uncles Jam

John — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:50:22 +0000

Several years ago, something else awesome happened when my sister got married. Other then her wedding of course. My uncle John and uncle Billy got together in the living room in NY and had a good ole fashioned jam session. More after the break…

Those that don’t know my uncles, both of them have played and strummed as long as I can remember being alive. I’ve got more videos to add from when we all visited Texas for my uncle Billy’s passing, and I will get those added soon. For now visit the “download” section link to see what I have added so far! Enjoy, and uncle John and Uncle Billy I love you, always.

Merry Christmas To Everyone!!!

John — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 18:25:03 +0000

Hoping everyone is having a good Christmas, and you didn’t get coal. Here’s some new photos from this morning, and more photos I had from the Bluffton Parade. Click on the thumbnail to go to each one! More to be added later tonight!

Merry and a SAFE Christmas to all!

U.S.S. North Carolina

John — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:18:55 +0000

I spent a couple days in Wilmington, NC with my boss for work. After the conference was over, we had a chance to check out the “Show Boat”. I haven’t been aboard any vessel in a LONG time, and to be able to see this boat was something special. Click on the thumb-views below to see the entire gallery.

Christmas, Southern Style!

John — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:09:01 +0000

The Bluffton, SC Parade was this past weekend, and we had a blast! Aunt Mickey was even in it this year! LOL

The first batch of photos is from my cell, as my camera died. But, I will get the rest added shortly so stay tuned! Click on the thumbs below to get to all of the photos.

It’s Beginging to Look A Lot Like…

John — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:27:45 +0000

The Griswald’s Christmas! LOL Seriously though, we finally got the lights up outside, and the tree inside. More photos to come through out the season, but I thought everyone would like a sneak peak of the house. Now, please excuse me, night-time photography isn’t my strong suit, never was. But, it gives you the idea.

Enjoy! Click on a thumb below for the entire gallery for Christmas 2009.

Vote For Our Cat Tomorrow!

John — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:52:08 +0000

Hey all, The Island Packet, our local newspaper, runs a contest every year which benefits the local Humane Societies. Well this year we not only have the cat, we also had my daughter to take some photos. See the photo we entered below! (Click on it for a larger view)

Starting tomorrow, Monday October 19th, you can view the contest and vote for us! It’s $5 to enter, but ALL proceeds go to the local Humane Societies. Please help, because if the humane societies don’t help animals, they go to the county which does Euthanize as needed.

So please visit The Island Packet (click here) for the contest tomorrow and look for out kitty! Thanks all!