The Annual Emmrich, Wright, Anderson Beach Trip!!!

with september upon us, our thoughts turn towards cooler temperatures, falling leaves, the start of school and...
THE BEACH!!!!!!!!!!
yes...for our family, this is the time of year we pack up 3 families and make our way to ocean isle beach for one last fling!! this year was no exception as we, along with my parents, and the anderson crew traveled to the coast for this much anticipated trip.
this year brought lots of beach time, pool time, extra large trenches and moats dug, and fishing (with sting rays being caught per ben's usual). three new traditions were introduced on this 2010 trip...the night crab hunt, bingo and skit night!!
we had a great time and are already looking forward to next year.
here are an array of pictures from our fun week...

the fisherman in action

fearless in the water...miss caroline would run full speed into the ocean and LOVED being knocked down by the waves!!

always on the move...

crab imitation???

bros in law (aka...constant entertainment providers for the kids)

sweet james

the crew at play

big brother ben david playing with caroline

caroline modeling the extra large trench the guys dug...

annascott "babysitting" caroline

this little lady was NON STOP on the beach!!

JUMP!!!

mommy and her girl baby

8 best buddies

BINGO!!!

lots of laughs at skit night!!

oreo commerical during skit night, brought to you courtesy of aunt anna!!!

i will be in such big trouble for posting that pic...

Beach Fun with the Wrights and Wrays!!

this year we enjoyed a special treat...a beach trip with the wrays and the wrights!! this was the first time we got to vacation with ben's brother nate, and his wife bek, along with their 4...nathan, cecilia, gia, jude and #5 on the way....and....amy, dan, kai addie, marmie and poppy!!! we had such a great time together. i was not the best photographer this trip, so just have a few pics. more will follow!!!

beach buddies

walking all by myself!:)

the infamous trench that provided hours of beach fun each day...
just chillin'

Birthday Princess

It is hard to believe that our little caroline turned one!!

on june 18th, 2009 at 1:20pm ben turned to me and said six words i will never forget..."honey, you got your little girl!!" and so i did...

what a sweetheart our caroline ann is...she is full of personality, engaging, and just so much fun!! she can hold her own quite well with her two older brothers, and is very spunky!!

she took her first steps at the beach about a month ago...and since, has gradually worked her way up to about 7 or 8 on her own. she says "da-de" for ben, "dau" for dog, and FINALLY said "mama" though i'm still not sure is was directed at me. still, i'll take it!:) she has a great shrieking noise that she enjoys making which we all lovingly refer to as her "baby dinosaur" sound.

all in all..she is just a joy and delight to be around and we thank the lord for her everyday.

we had a great birthday celebration with our family...caroline got her first baby dolls, a personalized suitcase (we missed you marmie and poppy!!), and some sweet crib toys.

we had flower cupcakes...and lots of pink in honor of the birthday girl!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET CAROLINE!!!

Birthday Girl!!

my attempt at flower cupcakes

two peas in a pod...caroline and cousin addie...only 10 weeks apart and BFF's already!:)

present time!! lots of helpers...

first cupcake...

hmmm...pretty good...wrapper and all.

i think we're done here...

big brother ben david...modeling party hats he INSISTED we purchase!!! to his credit..he (and good sport drew) wore these the ENTIRE time!

cousin kai...eagerly awaiting the cupcakes:)

everybody say...PIZZA!!!!

me and my girl!

Beach Days

Last week, our family enjoyed a wonderful vacation!! it all started on wednesday, when our very sweet and very brave marmie and poppy offered to take the boys down to holden beach a few days early. it took me about .05 seconds to agree to that plan!!:)

ben, caroline and i subsequently enjoyed 2 very quiet, very relaxing days here in charlotte as a prelude to our memorial day beach weekend. i am pretty sure we were not missed at all. james and ben david had a blast hanging out with marmie and poppy!! they rode the boat, played in the tide pools and sand, rode the scooter/wagon to the beach each day, flew kites...the fun went on and on!!

we were excited to be reunited with them on friday and they were eager to show us "their beachouse", beds, new hats and the beach!! ben and i continued to be spoiled on our trip with amazing meals, continuous babysitting and lots of naps!! we had a wonderful, restful vacation...a word you don't hear often from parents traveling with 3 kids 4 and under.

snack break at the waterslide

ice cream and miniature golf night

The next set of pictures are very special to me. caroline's great-grandmother, nana, gave her this sweet dress when she was born. nana has great taste and i just could not wait to put this cute, pink, smocked dress on caroline. it finally fits, and i think the beach provided the perfect backdrop!:)

nana...these are for you!!! we love you!!

our captains

reenactment of our engagement shot...almost 6 years later!:)

mommy and me

my guess is next year our little lady might be the one pulling james along

our family

THANK YOU MARMIE AND POPPY FOR A GREAT TRIP!!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Oh Say Can you See....Poppie turned 70!!!

A few weekends ago we gathered the crew at my sister and brother-in-law's to celebrate my dad turning 70!! what a special occasion it was. lots of food, cupcakes made by adah...even a piano duet by britt and adah...a very jazzy version of "happy birthday to you!!"

james and ben david purchased their own gifts for poppie from the dollar store. ben david chose a very high quality watch, and james...well you'll have to see the final pic for his choice.

my dad is an amazing man...here are just a few words to describe him:

kind

patient

wise

brilliant

loving

loyal

dependable

honest

hardworking

loves his family

loves the Lord

the list goes on and on...but you get the point.

my dad/our poppie is one of a kind and we sure love him!!!

here are a few pics...ALL courtesy of my sister (most i stole from her blog)as i sadly never got to my camera that night.

poppie with the "grand-girls":)

and yes...we are pretty excited to finally have a few strands of hair for a bow!!

the grand-boys:)

james brandishing a water shooter toy at the camera

james selected a sombrero from the dollar store and would not be swayed. it was either that, or a pair of diabetic socks he picked out first. we agreed to the sombrero.