Just Beachy, Part One

We made our yearly pilgrimage to Holden Beach, NC this year with family. We had a wonderful time doing everything from riding a ferry to riding a wave. She could not get enough of the ocean and would often take off running for it before we realized what was going on. Even when a wave would catch her off guard and hit her in the face, she would come back laughing. There was only once she got a little scared after one pushed her down, but she was fine after a minute and wanting more. I'll make a couple of posts for all the pictures.

Abby still begs to go to the beach house with Lauren and Megan.

Wouldn't you? This is the view from the balcony outside our room.




One of her favorite things was to sit in the surf with Daddy
and "catch" waves.


She also loved exploring the sand too.



and digging for buried treasure.


Megan always made sure her outfit was coordinated for a
day at the beach. She was a little shy at first, but
finally got the hang of the waves. ( I didn't get
a picture of her riding on Steve's back in the waves...
good stuff.)

Lauren could always come up with a fun plan for
digging!! She loved the waves as much as Abby. We had
so much fun jumping waves!!

She loved the sand between her fingers, for a while....
then it was a mad dash to the ocean to wash her hands!!


Abby and Daddy playing land developers on the shore.


Here is the fruit of their labor one day.
Unfortunately, they built in a flood plain and
we didn't have to worry about he dry mote after high tide.


Abby was great about keeping the ever-draining mote
full of water.

Our little beach bum


And her beach bum parents.



After a hard day on the beach, the girls could be found
together playing OR , as seen here, on Mimi and Bamps's
bed watching Tinker. (Bamps now has "Tinker" memorized.)

In the next past, I'll put some pictures up of our activities away from the surf, such as the aquarium and Abby's first ferry ride!!

Happy Father's Day!!

We want to wish all the dads out there a Happy Father's Day!! We hope you know how special you are and how much we appreciate all you do for us, mommies and kids alike.


Some of our favorite Father/Daughter moments:

Intro to Family Naptime 101

"Be Cool" Lesson #47

Intro to Wii, lesson 4

"Just chillin'" lesson #139

Building Our Kingdom Lesson #87
(Abby prefers the demo part of the construction!)

Ferry Riding 101

Playing Catch Up

We've been quite busy this month. Although it has rained nearly everyday, ending the drought in Western North Carolina in a very convincing style, we have managed to get out of the house a lot to celebrate Spring. Here is a quick update on how things have been going.

Though a little blurry, this is a shot that
shows one of Abby's favorite activities,
dancing with the Wiggles.

She loves to play "Where's Abby?" during dinner,
especially spaghetti night,
so as to get the food all over her face.

Nap Times and Bed Times have been epic!
Here she fell asleep early one night on the couch.
She slept there for a while until we finally moved her
to her room! (Parents of the year)

Ben and Abby enjoyed some playtime one
afternoon at Ben's Nano's and Pop-Pops.

One of her favorite things is our dish towel (go figure).
She makes some pretty interesting wardrobe accessories
with it. I think she may have an eye for fashion.

Did I mention she took swim lesson? Here, she sports her
"Tennessee suit" before lessons begin.

Lots of Abby-Daddy time has been had!!

She loves the rides at the local mall. We can't wait to
see her face when we take her to an actual amusement park. :)

A bored 2 year old.
She was very patient though.

"Mommy, come. . .

... go swimming! "
(We've heard this a lot lately!)

Did we mention the Dunkin' Donuts that is located within

minutes of the apartment? Great find!! We love to
go by with Sophie and Steph and get pastries for the girls and
iced coffee for the moms!!


Coming soon. . . Abby at the beach, part deux. After Lauren, Megan, and Abby hit Holden Beach again, life on the island may never be the same!! :)

Parks & Recreation

About a month ago, we had to go to Tennessee to take care of some stuff at the house and were lucky enough to get to have lunch at Fred C. Miller Park with Aunt Tee Tee, Paw Paw, and of course our best buddy Ben. We had a blast and hope to do this a lot this summer!

Two toddlers ready to take on the world.
Sunblock- check.
Hats- Check
Playground- check

Here, Ben and Abby strategize about how to get to the top of the
caterpillar

"Maybe if we try this, Ben, we can shimmy up
before our mommies notice."

"I don't think this is going to work, Abby.
You look stuck! And I think they're on to us!"


Quick, to the bouncy pony thing.

"I love this thing!"


"I'm not so sure I do. Can somebody help me?"


"Gosh, thanks, Paw Paw. This is much better."


"Standing in the middle isn't so bad."

Paw Paw and Abs checkin' out the creek from behind bars.

"I'm just going to crawl up here and you can
can come help me down when I realize I am
stuck, K?!?"

Our smart guy hitched a ride when he
got a little tired of walking.

"Schweew... that was a great day!"

Birthday Party

We were lucky enough to have a beautiful day to party at Lake Julian with many of our great friends from Tennessee and Asheville. Abby decided on a Finding Nemo cake and so we ran with it. We were so blessed to be able to celebrate with our friends. We can't thank everyone enough for making the trek across the mountain.

Here is the table sans cake and pizza. The cake
had to be stored under the table so the icing wouldn't melt.

Can you guess Abby's favorite party of the table?
(Hint: Nemo still hangs out in our dining room. He's just
a little closer to the ground now.)


And so Abs wouldn't grab Nemo and Dori. :)
(I gave up on making her birthday cakes after
last year. Maybe I'll try again when she can help me more.)


Abby enjoyed her pizza. . .

She ate with Stephanie,our good friend in Asheville.


and with Aunt TeeTee.
(Love the messy face that she kept the whole time.)


She made sure everyone had everything they needed.

Part of the Tennesse crew enjoying the festivities. . .
From Left to Right: John and Lisa Raines (our neighbors in TN,
and Stusie Steve (aka Atticus) Loope (our very special and
dear friends).

Abby, Ben, and Sophie couldn't wait for lunch to
end so they could feed the ducks.


Ben was in heaven. He had bubbles,
food, and lawn mowers.
We are sorry he skinned his knew on the rocks though.

Kristiana and Emma had a blast at the playground.
Emma really enjoyed the swinging bridge.

and, of course, the swings!!

Abby and Mimi loved them too!!

All the kids loved feeding the ducks. Here, Sophie
helps Abby feed a very hungry group!

Miss Independent wanted to do by herself

We had tons of fun, and needed naps when we got back.
Abs soon joined Mimi and Bamps for long afternoon nap!