The Annual Ocean Isle Beach Trip!

when september rolls around, that can only mean one thing around here...TIME TO HIT THE BEACH!! right after labor day, we head down with my parents, and my sister and her crew to ocean isle beach for a week. it is a super fun-filled vacation (ok...maybe not "vacation") and great time together. this year's highlights included james climbing out of his pack and play, ben catching a giant sting ray, a trip to the myrtle beach broadway to ride the rides, and lots and lots and lots of holes dug in the sand. caroline enjoyed some beach time too (at least one picture testifies to that) and some bonus sand from her cousin annascott.

and of course...it would not be a family beach trip if we didn't try for the infamous "lets get all dressed up and go take pictures on the beach" outing. my sister took a bunch with her "professional" camera, so the real ones are yet to come. in addition...sadly, i was a terrible photo journalist this year and did not get as many pics as i usually do. but, here is what i have! all in all...it was a great trip, and no hurricane threats this year! already looking forward to next year!

oh boy...this is going to be fun! (not really:)
one little beach bum

"don't go into the water!!!" those words were quickly lost on our crew

just being james

my boys

getting ready for the camera...

shell hunting

james favorite ride...the "cycle." he was by far the smallest one on this ride...FEARLESS!!:)

"swimmin" (as james says)

wouldn't be the same without renting a kayak for the gang

where am i??

gymnastics by james

ice cream cones all around!!

headstand contest

and lastly...my attempt to catch a smile on camera

My Life in Jogger Strollers

A Family Celebration!

as promised...here are a few pics of james's birthday party at our home!! in spite of a full day of rain...we were blessed with a reprive and perfect temps for our outdoor pizza party! this year, we went with a thomas the train theme...complete with a choo-choo-train cake, per james request (stole this cake idea from my sister-in-law, amy:). there was also much fun to be had with the "rocket launcher" toy, basketball hoop shooter and train track james received as gifts. ben, ben david and i gave james a little bike, but sadly, he still cannot reach the pedals:(, so the balloon on it was the bigger hit.

we had a great time with family celebrating james turning 2!

train cake...a labor of love... the rocket launcher...big hit! the bike...not a big hit blowing out candles! best buds:)

annascott...driving all by herself!!

caroline already loves time with adah

bonus shots of little miss c!!

Family, Holden Beach and a Birthday Boy!

a few weeks ago we ventured to holden beach for our first family trip since adding caroline to our crew! as you know, once you have children, vacation suddenly loses its inherent meaning. that is, however....unless you have in-laws like mine!:) beginning with their taking the boys down a whole day early, ben's parents truly allow us to have a vacation by helping so much with the kids. we were able to leave caroline for a few hours on several occasions to jet out for trips to the water slide, miniature golf, ice cream...and even a much needed date night!! we were also treated to one delicious meal after another.

per his usual...my sweet husband got up each morning with the boys who have an unfortunate habit of waking up earlier and earlier every day on vacation. hence...the "beach at sunrise" shots!;) flying kites, digging great big holes, rolling in the sand and doing headstands (james that is-please note pic below) were just some of the fun things that took place.

while we were there...james celebrated his second birthday with a yummy cake and fun presents from marmie and poppy! what better place to celebrate than at the beach.

finally...i am SO behind in my blogging, that i wanted to also go back and include a few pics from a great visit we had in june with ben's brother (my brother in law) nate, his wife bek and their 4 sweet kiddos! the kids enjoyed a bubble bath in the hot tub (cooled down:) and we even got a great shot of marmie and poppy with the grand kids.

lastly, stayed tuned for more shots from our "family birthday party" here in charlotte!! ben david with his cousins: nathan, ceci and gia (minus jude and kai:)

with marmie and poppy wheeeeeee!!!

hitting the beach early

the best part of miniature golf!

ben david was pretty good!

this is pretty much where caroline spent her time on our trip and was happy as a clam!

nice james...

my little boy is two!

birthday supper

Just the FIVE of us!!

while my blogging has fallen by the wayside in the last month, i did want to take a moment to post some recent shots. i can't take credit for these pictures, as they were taken by our favorite photographer, lindsey turner (http://www.lindseyturnerphotography.com/).

the goal was to capture a few "three year old" pics of ben david and some newborn shots of caroline. james made it to the family shot, but that was about as much as he could mangage:) ENJOY!!!