Beach Trip 2011

Buddies at Southport fishing pier
Pirate Camp at the Maritime Museum
Riding scooters
Supper at the Provision Company
And allot of this.....relaxing!

More Beach Shots

This was a cute one. All the ones without faces were awesome.
Southport. I told them to show me their muscles.
Not sure why he is pouting, but this was funny.
Check out little man patiently waiting his turn to see Old Baldy.

Family Portraits

My sister in law, Brandy, had an awesome idea when we were down at the beach for Memorial Day. Let's take all the kids to the point, when we return in June, and get a shot of all the grandkids for my parents before they leave for the misson field. Great idea, I said, let's do khaki's and solid polo shirts. Ha! The clothes were the LEAST of our worries. (as you can see one of my kids said I NEVER said "solid")
Posing all these people with everyone else standing behind us was quite comical. No one would listen to us, and the kids all wanted to run around and go swimming. If all are smiling one will be rolling his eyes (Levi). Or as you can see above "stagers" didn't get out of the shot fast enough.
We both decided that if we do it again next year we are paying a photographer to do it. Let them worry about getting the clear shot and staging everyone, and WE will worry about our kids smiling and acting like they are happy. Also they should be taken after a day of playing or with some type of bribery offered....like putt putt and the arcade.
The best shot ended up being one of everyone from the backside. At least then you can't see my 14 year old rolling his eyes, lol.

Memorial Weekend with the fam

To spice up the last hole, my brother told everyone to hit their ball and beat it to the bottom.

More Beach

Boogie Boarding Boys. The ocean had changed the beach since we were there in July. There was a huge sandbar that you could swim out to during low tide. It made for some great waves during high tide. High tide now comes all the way up to the sea oats.
The boy. Yes, he is quite embarrassed by all of us now. Makes for some great fun. That face is called "toleration".
Supper at the marina. What other girl can go out with 6 escorts and get away with it? (not sure where G was when this was taken)
Putt-putting. Yes, it was as hot as it looks.
Wednesday trip to the Farmer's Market in Southport. You must try the honey bun cakes and the muscadine slushies. Two of the BEST things around! Trying to figure out how to get those wonderful ladies to ship them to my house.

Oak Island Lighthouse

Landon, Shaun, and Levi drove over to the lighthouse to look around one day. A group was going inside and the tour guide let them join in.
The stairs are a ladder system all the way to the top.
Caswell Beach from the top of the lighthouse.
Whew, they made it. Hubs said he was doubtful that I could handle it after my freak out on the Bald Head Lighthouse. Which is allot shorter and no longer in use. I tell ya, you have ONE little moment......oh who am I kidding, I would have freaked out.

Oak Island- Part 3

They do this after every shot that scores. Victory dance soon to follow.
A very brief moment of brotherly love. I'll take it!
Happy Birthday Tim. He promised me he wouldn't get a teenagers attitude, even though he was officially one now.
Wyatt and Joey in the fort that the big boys built upstairs.
You know you were waiting on this one. A staple of every summer from now on.

Oak Island- Part 2

Waiting to eat at the marina. THE best grilled shrimp and grits anywhere.
Landon's dad stopped by for an afternoon of fun.
The boys posing with Grandma Debra. She also came by for an afternoon of fun and a great meal.
How cute is this? Anna running toward the ocean.
Our friends Jason and Angie with their little darling, Anna.

Oak Island-part one

Made our annual trip to Oak Island for the 4th of July again this year. I bought a sun shade for us (the solid blue one) that was amazing. So easy to set up and take down every morning. The striped one stays up as long as family is coming down.
Our crew of six boys. We let Levi and Wyatt take a friend this year. We also took everyones bike and they rode each day to the rec center and Dairy Queen.
Couldn't have a trip without a jiggle-jangle-ily tooth. We finally had to hold him down and get it out. The thing was bending backwards inside of his mouth, yes, it was quite gross.
In front of the maritime museum at Southport. Another free place to visit, as well as the jail.
Cheesing it up for the camera. They LOVE to dig holes!

FINALLY

Sunday Leigh and I carried lunch out to the beach for everyone. This happened right after we started eating our sandwiches.

S- I just lost my tooth. (matter of factly)

G- Let me see.

S- What does it look like?

G- We are twins again!

That night we discussed where to leave the tooth, as S was sleeping on the top bunk upstairs. And, Melvin Bubble came up. Don't know Melvin Bubble? Run to the nearest library and check it out. The book is "Who IS Melvin Bubble?", and was chosen as the top book that kids in NC loved this year. There is a funny page written by the tooth fairy in it that kids love.

Vacation Highlights

Playing Settlers with Leigh and Dave. The second night Dave won, but didn't tell anyone. He just stood up and said, "Thank-you and good night." It was hilarious!
Wyatt's best bud, Joey, was staying at Ocean Isle with his family. He came over to spend the night, and Wyatt went over there one night.
We finally found red and orange Crocs for the buddies. Yes, yes, the summer is almost over, but we HAD to get them.
Walking on the pier close to the house. Several guys were surfing that day, so we stayed out there and watched them wipe out.
Of course there were trips to the arcade, supper at the Marina, putt putting and Dairy Queen.

Wordless Wednesday

WHY?

USS Battleship North Carolina

We took a day and drove to Wilmington to see the battleship. The last time Landon and I went with the kids, Wyatt was a baby and we carried him and his stroller, all over that ship. Mental note was made not to return until everyone could walk, and climb up and down the ladders by themselves.
Wyatt asked me why it was called the North Carolina. I explained that all the battleships were named after states, so the Japanese wouldn't know what our guys were talking about on the radio. "Secret code", he replied, smiling.
I always forget how awesome this ship is inside. It is a mini-city with a barber shop, doctors office, dentist office, post office, cafeteria, ice cream shop, game room, brig, offices, and many others. It is amazing that they fought, without computers. There are so many knobs, switches and buttons for communicating and firing the weapons.
Levi looking out to aim the big guns on the rear of the ship. This area (like many others) is extremely tight and hot.
Every time I see the beds/hanging cots, I smile. Pop told us about how his crew mate never wanted to be buckled into his bunk, and would fall out at night and get hurt. He wasn't on this ship, but both of my grandfathers fought in the Navy. My grandmama tells us all the time, how handsome my granddaddy was in his uniform. This sailor, swept her off her feet, when she was just a young teenager.
The missile room. It is several tiers of levels filled with empty missiles. If this doesn't bring it home nothing will. How many boys fought to protect us? I kept looking at Levi, and thinking about the ones that were only 6 years older than him. They were just kids. But they were honored to fight for our freedom.
Leigh and Dave went with us. She told me she hasn't been since she was four. We got separated inside and kept seeing them through hallways and doors. If you are in the area, stop by the battleship. It is well worth the money. In fact, five and under are free. Note to self, go back in the winter time. :)