Beachy

2006? Micklers Beach, Florida

El Segundo, California. November 2010.

 The beach has always been one of my favorite places.  Despite my fair skin, since I was small there wasn't much that could make my heart happier than the thought of sticking my toes in the sand or the surf (except maybe Disneyland/world.)  When I went to college in the beautiful, but landlocked state of Utah, I think the thing I was most homesick for (other than family and friends) was the seashore.  It is truly my happy place.

Outer Banks, North Carolina.  June or July 2012.

Somewhere off the coast of California.

Baby London, Mission Bay, California.  July 2012.

That being said, going to the beach with kids is an entirely different experience.  Even before we get out the door, the sheer amount of stuff we need to bring is crazy.  Towels and blankets and water and snacks and sunscreen and extra diapers and wipes and toys and flotation devices and...I think you get the point. And since none of my kids are big enough to really help in carrying things, I'm pretty sure I look something like a pregnant pack mule every time we trek out.  With small children, there really isn't much relaxation occurring.  You never know when one of them is going to take off running toward the water, or start throwing sand on an innocent bystander. 

Baby London and Aunt Hopey, North Carolina, Summer 2013.

Baby Juliet, El Segundo, California.

London at Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, June 2015.

Juliet, Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. 

But it's been my experience that for every little "luxury" you lose after babies, you gain a new joy.  So while I can't always enjoy boogie boarding, or kayaking, or even the simple pleasure of closing my eyes and feeling the sun tickle my skin, there's not much cuter than babies on the beach.  And even the thrill of riding a wave back to shore can't compete with London's squeals of joy as she splashes through the water yelling, "This is the BEST. DAY. EVER!" (She has had a lot of best days ever in her short life.) The sand castles we build are pretty dang gnarly.  And Juliet's little hand in mine as we jump waves brings some feelings that are so sublime in nature that really I don't think I had the capacity to experience them before I had these little girlies in my life.

Outer Banks, North Carolina.

Juliet and I, Fort DeRussy Beach, Hawaii.  A few days ago. ;)

London, Fort DeRussy Beach, also a few days ago.

And you can still enjoy the sound of waves crashing on the shore with or without kids. ;)

I'm a sucker for a sunset on the beach.

Adieu, Fall

Although I love the Christmas season, Fall is the season that will always hold my heart.  In honor of it's giving way to our holiday merry making, I thought I would share a few pictures from a day trip we took up to the mountains with friends over Veterans Day Weekend.  It is hard being so far away from our dental school friends who had become like family, but at least we are living on the same side of the country.  DC, North Carolina, and South Carolina aren't too horribly far away from each other. ;)  It was so fun to spend the day with the Lukers.  The only thing that could have made it better was if the Stephens could have joined in! 


Have you ever wondered what your Thanksgiving dinner looks like in transport?  We passed this on truck on our drive up:

Yummmm....maybe not.

 We met the Lukers at Chimney Rock.  The drive up was perfection.  Bright, beautiful leaves everywhere!  When we reached the top of the mountain, the view was spectacular.  Picture perfect.  So obviously a photo op was essential.

Since we had little kids, we decided to take the elevator up to the top of Chimney Rock.  26 stories in 35 seconds, all the way up through solid rock!  (The other option is 31 flights of stairs.  No thanks.) 

Chimney Rock

After we were done taking in the views, we decided to do a short hike to Hickory Nut Falls.  The Falls are the second tallest east of the Mississippi, and they were used in the filming of The Last of the Mohicans.  Which I have never seen, so I can't vouch for that.  Regardless, they were worth the hike.

I think these two missed each other.

London was a trooper, she walked most of the way herself, but I think she was pretty worn out by the end of it all.

First selfie (post-Myspace, that is).

After we finished up at Chimney Rock, we headed over to Asheville for dinner.  We drove through the Blue Ridge Parkway on our way over...but we were about a month too late for the leaves.  I can imagine how impressive it was during the peak season though.  Oh well, maybe next year if we are still around these parts.  In Asheville we ate at Moe's Original BBQ.  It was awesome!  Once we wrapped up dinner, it was getting pretty late, so we had to head home.  Thanks so much to the Lukers for letting us tag along on your trip.  Let's go again soon and check out Biltmore!! ;)

Sea Side Breeze

We have less than a week left here in the South.  It's kind of crazy to think; when we first came out here, it seemed like we had forever.  And five weeks is a long time!  It's going to be a little weird going home and trying to get back into the groove of everything.  I'm not looking forward to having to do my own cooking and cleaning again--but I miss my husband.  And our home.  And...maybe even quiet time, which is hard to come by in a full house.  But while I enjoy my last few days here in Raleigh, I thought I would play a little catch up here on the blog...

We had to go the beach at least once while we were out here, and I'm glad we did!  The past couple times London has been, she has been terrified of the sand.  She wouldn't put her toes in, and you could forget about taking her down to the water.  But this time, she made me so proud! She faced her fears and walked away triumphant! I think we can look forward to many more beach days!  It might be London's new favorite place--she was so mad when we had to leave.  Good thing SoCal has plenty of beaches for us to occupy ourselves with! 

Some sea creatures!

We went to Atlantic Beach, which is where my dad used to go to when he was growing up.  It's funny how different going to the beach on the East Coast can be--I mean, on one hand a beach is a beach and it's always nice to be down near the water, but out here, the water isn't quite so frigid, it's hardly ever overcast, and there aren't as many people.  It's also nice to not have to worry about any big waves coming to knock London over. 

 

After we finished up at the beach, we went to get some fried seafood, because it's not a trip to the beach out here without some!  As per usual, I got my fried flounder, although I want to know who ever actually eats BOTH of the gigantic fillets they bring you.  Because I'm pregnant and I still didn't finish.  Regardless, what I did manage to eat was delicious as always.  Already looking forward to our next trip. :)

We always seem to end up here...

One Smart Cookie

To celebrate Spicer's graduation from high school, we threw this fun party.  Any party centered around cookies has GOT to be good, right?  That's what I thought in the initial planning stages...then I started making all these cookies and was maaaaybe starting to pull my hair out after like the third recipe.  But I love my bubba so I pulled through, and thanks to some assistance from my mom, I think we can call this party a success.  Our diets?  Not so much...but I'm pregnant!  (I'm kind of dreading getting on the scale at the doctor's office after I get back from this vacaction...)

The spread!

The chocies

The man of the hour!

This was London's kind of party!

Our Spicer-shrine!

Spicer was so excited, one of his friends made him a Tardis!

Congrats again, Spicer-man! You are one of the smartest cookies I know, and I know you are going to dominate at college next fall!

Inspiration for Smart Cookie Party found here