Sunset Beach

Warning: This post will be picture-heavy. But I promise you there will be cute beach baby pictures!

Every year, Joe's side of the family takes a trip Sunset Beach, NC for a week. I think we made it to one 'beach week' while we were living in Hawaii. Obviously we had plenty of beach in Hawaii, so that wasn't the draw for us. One year he was deployed, the next we went during post-deployment block leave, and then we had Charlotte (and also no money =P). It felt like we hadn't been in forever and the fact that we were able to drive this time was even better! {After 3 years of needing to fly everywhere, I am 100% in favor of road trips.}

After being stuck in traffic part of the way, we finally made it to the beach just before dinner time. Plenty of time to chat, stretch the legs, and chat a bit before eating.

Hanging out in beach chairs with Eden.

The next morning, we set off to the beach! I mean, it wouldn't be 'beach week' without the beach! 

Playing with Harry in the sand.

This was the first time my little Hawaiian baby has shown any interest in playing in the sand. Ever. To be fair the sand in Hawaii is very gritty, while the sand in NC (and most East Coast beaches, I'd assume) is very, very fine. Anyway, the girl was covered in sand in a very short amount of time. Silly. :) After a while, we decided to walk out to the water.

Much to my surprise, she sat down in the water!

But as soon as a small wave came, she freaked. 

Not much of a Hawaiian baby, huh?

We did many things at the beach like hanging out with Pop, snacking, getting sand out of our toes, throwing sand, dancing, playing with cousins, and just generally had fun.

Dance moves. ;-)

Charlotte basically followed Eden and Harry around all week. LOL

The kiddos weren't the only ones to have fun, either. :)

The girls and Kellan managed to get out to dinner one night.

I so love Eden's face in this!!

Then, one day some of us had lunch at Joe's Crab Shack, where I ate zero seafood.

{We also shopped some after lunch, but no photos were taken. For shame.}

We had lots and lots of family time, which was nice and only slightly overwhelming at times. :)

Some Father's Day pics... 

"Aw, man! I have to take a picture with this guy?!" LOL

Playing with Auntie Anna. :) Love.

Ice cream with Pop.

We usually do a family beach picture whenever we go, but we opted for a picture of the kids in sunglasses from Pop and Bossi this year. It definitely worked out well for the adults. ;-) Kids are always cute no matter what they wear!

 

And, of course, my little miss thought all the fuss was about her. ;-)

Such a ham. :)

For the most part, we had a pretty laid-back week. The kids were a crazy mess, and it's always interesting trying to wrangle kids while hanging out with everyone, but it was really fun. I'm so glad we live close enough now to be able to do this sort of thing! 

Also, I've decided that I miss living at the beach. The weather is so much nicer! 

Do you hear me, Georgia?

Vacating Life

That's the whole point of vacation, right?! Well, we definitely left the "real world" behind last week. We left last Friday to fly to NC and spend a week with family. We made it there and back again despite Delta's attempts to thwart our plans. Let's just say I'm seriously done with flying for a while. Anyway.

We had a great trip. And by great I mean awesome. =) We started off "beach week" by doing exactly what you're supposed to do on vacation - absolutely nothing. It was fantastic. There's nothing like doing nothing with a whole bunch of other people. Haha! There were two main things I enjoyed about being at Sunset Beach, NC last week. Their names are Harry and Eden. ;-)

I finally got to meet my youngest nephew...who is 3 months old already. *sniff*

And I got some great play time with my niece. =)

As did Uncle Joe. =)

{I love this picture!!!}

We shared a house with Anna and Jason, the kids, and Pete {my BIL} and his wife Caty. I felt like the house was a bit small for 6 adults and 2 small children, but it worked out pretty well. Joe's parents, grandparents, Sarabeth {my other SIL} and Kellan {oldest nephew} all stayed in another house. It's crazy how in such a short time the family has gone from sharing one house two needing 2. And who knows, we could need a bigger one {or even another one} by next year!

We had a pretty relaxed week, with only a few outings planned... Like dinner, shopping and going to a shooting range. The rest was a whole bunch of lounging and hanging out at the beach.

Me, Sarabeth, and Caty at Sunset Beach.

Joe and I. =)

...aaaand me with Anna!

{You only said not on Facebook!!! ;-)}

After a long, hot day of shopping we ate at Joe's Crab Shack with Pete and Caty. I also learned I'm not a huge fan of crab. *sigh* I wish I liked seafood...

And of course we had to take time for a BIG family photo!

One of just us...it's decent enough. =)

Oddly enough, by the end of the week Joe and I were the only ones left in our house. Saturday, Sarabeth and Grammy drove us back up to Wilmington so we could catch our flight out on Sunday morning. We spent the afternoon in our room {a lively bunch we are} and only ventured out for dinner downtown. Which, by the way, was the best dinner we've had in a looooooong time. We took a cab from our hotel down to Front Street and had dinner at a little place called Circa 1922. 

I loved it the minute we stepped in. As most restaurants in the downtown area of an east coast town, this place had a very colonial feel. From the chandeliers to real hardwood floors...it was great. The staff was super nice....and the food was uh.maz.ing. Joe and I both got steaks; he had the filet mingon and I had the New York strip. Best steaks we've ever had. EVER. It was definitely pricey, but I think it was well worth it. I'd totally go back. After dinner we walked around for a bit. I'm a sucker for colonial towns...and I'm fortunate enough to have a husband who enjoys them too. =)

Just so you know, one of the buildings on North Front Street is a fallout shelter. Handy information to have. ;-)

I just love this cute little building!!! If it wasn't for all the people around, I'd love to live in something like this one day.

We took a walk on the boardwalk and saw the USS North Carolina. =)

And of course we had to stop for ice cream. =)

{I had the best rocky road EVER here.} 

I just wish we'd had more time to spend in Wilmington. I would have loved to go to the Cape Fear Museum and the Bellamy Mansion. Oh, and visit the USS North Carolina.... Maybe take a carriage ride... Yeah, we'll definitely be going back there. =) Notice I also said this about Charleston, SC. I think I just have a love for all of the tangible history there is on the east coast. One day I'll live close enough to experience it more often. 

So, that's where I was last week. =) And after many flights and too many hours spent in ATL, we're back on the island enjoying the rest of block leave. 

Hope your week is off to a great start!