Carolina Beach

We took a short trip to the beach last week for a much needed break from reality. We drove to James' parents' house in Cary, NC (stopping for a visit with GG on the way) and stayed the night to break up the trip. Then we headed down to Carolina beach outside Wilmington the next day. The Hemricks met up with us later and we all hung out for a few days. We headed to the beach the afternoon we arrived. That was the best beach time we had and I'm sorry I didn't get any pictures, because the weather and/or kids didn't cooperate so much after that. Kate had a blast jumping in the waves, which she called "storms" and Owen promptly fell asleep in my arms wrapped up in a towel. The next day, James and Kate enjoyed some pool time and some beach time, but both times, I stayed with Owen while he napped. The water was a little rough that day and Kate wanted to play in the sand most of the time because she was afraid of the storms. The last full day, it poured down rain for most of the day, so we headed to the NC Aquarium in Wilmington. We had fun, but it was no sunny day at the beach! Plus, it's difficult to get the baby and all the baby stuff out of the car when it's pouring down rain. That afternoon, we did get in some beach time, but it was cloudy and a little chilly. This was the only time I got pictures at the beach, but they're not great. Kate's not one to pose and smile for a picture, so most are candid shots of her playing. There's one of James body surfing, too. We bought the body board a little too late for Kate to enjoy it, but James and I had fun giving it a try. It was fun, but some long sunny days would have been nice. Maybe next time.

Good Weekend

We had a nice weekend. James had Friday off (well, he went in for a conference call, but was home by lunch). I really love his 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off. I'm really spoiled by it now and it will be really hard if/when he ever has to give that up. Anyway, it was just on of those weekends we all really enjoyed being in each other's company. Not that we don't usually, it was just a lot of fun. On Friday, Kate, James and I made surfboards so we could "surf" to one of Kate's favorite songs. There's a video that came with the CD, so she likes to watch the video and surf along with it.



Saturday, we took the kids to the farmers market in Market Square. We had planned on riding the trolley while we were downtown - so we had Owen in a carrier (hot! not to mention heavy!) and Kate had on regular clothes. But, it ended up that Kate just wanted to play in the fountains and it turns out the trolley doesn't run on the weekend. Next time we'll put Owen in the stroller and Kate in a swimsuit and it will work out better. We even ran into some friends from church with two girls Kate's age and they go every week. James also saw someone from work. I love Knoxville! We're always running into someone we know.



I also took Kate to get her haircut on Saturday. I've been trying to grow it out, but Kate's just not one of those girls who likes to have her hair done and when she does happen to sit still long enough for me to do it, it doesn't stay anyway. She loves to be outside and she sweats like no two-year-old I've seen, so it was always a mess. And I was sick of the in between stage, so we went for the bob look, which just suits her so well. Here is a PG-13 picture taken of her before church on Sunday.

It was just a really nice, relaxing weekend. Now, James is out of town for two and a half days, so I'll be on my toes this week, then it's off to the beach for a few days at the end of next week. Yeah! I can't wait to get the kids in the water!

Memorial Day Weekend

James' parents came to Knoxville over Memorial Day weekend to help us with some yard work and home repairs. A dump truck worth of mulch was spread in the yard, bushes were removed, trees were pruned, and flower beds were expanded. Tom and James also sanded the deck (with Kate's help) and stained it.
The highlight of the weekend for Kate though was Grandfather had built her and Owen an easel over Spring Break and finally got to bring it to her. This is her breaking it in with Nana and Grandfather. After the Hemrick's left, we made our first family trip to the Fountain City duck pond. Kate enjoyed feeding the ducks and "fishing" with a stick she found. Owen just took things in from his carrier.