The Kugler Family Adventures: "B" is for BEACH!

So another Ocean Isle Beach trip has come and gone, and as usual...much, much too quickly. We were blessed with gorgeous weather, and although a little muggy, it couldn't have been nicer. We had the whole crew, and then some, this trip. We all snuggled into our beautiful beach house, ate & drank way too much, and had a blast. The kids are at SUCH a fun age to visit the beach. They are both pretty self-entertaining, and because we had 10 kiddos in our group, there was always someone fun with whom to play. Here are the kids...

Monkey see...Monkey do

Yes, Sam spanked her as he raced by!

Feeding and chasing the birds. ALL.WEEKEND.

The croquet tournament is always the highlight of the weekend. Would Brian win for his fifth time? Would Troy win two years in a row? Or would a Topham finally come home with the trophy? Well, I'm proud to say my Daddy won. Well, thankful anyway. He's always in such a better mood when he makes that one winning shot. We have it all on video so he can reminisce about the old days one day. Congrats to Grumps!

Here's some of the (exciting) action....lol!

Even Whitt and Payton were studying the game...will Whitt win the trophy in 2013?

Amy and I rented a paddleboard. Of course, we rented it on probably the most choppy day, but we had fun anyway, and what a great workout! (Have I mentioned lately how much I would like a paddleboard??) Payton actually went out on it with me, and after I struggled to get us over and past the waves, we were finally paddling. She even got knocked off on our way out, laughed it off, and climbed back on it. She was a trooper. Amy, Jon, Brian, and Jill enjoyed going out on it too. Aunt Miss was too scared of sharks, fish, and jellyfish to get past even the baby waves! Speaking of jellyfish, Whitt, Thomas, and I all got a little zap. I think mine was the least severe, but we were all okay and back swimming before we knew it! The other kids just enjoyed playing on it while it was securely seated in the sand...take a look:

The kids also loved boogie-boarding, and mostly just playing on the boogie board. Payton and Griffin played really well with each other, and with the other kids.

The highlight for the kids was "ghost-crabbing." Not familiar? These little boogers (below) come out at night. We take out flashlights, buckets, and nets. The kids chase them and scoop them up. Then we let them go. If you have never taken your kid(s) ghost crabbing, it's a must-do your next beach trip! Payton has no fear. She took notes from Whitt, as to how to scoop them, then she took over...even grabbing several with her hands! (Their pincers are super small, and can't do anything but tickle). Our friends Leah and Justin, and their girls, Hayden and Kinley, stopped by one night, and we took them ghost-crabbing! Leah is expecting baby girl #3 in January!

Leah and Justin's youngest...Hayden

And Leah and Justin's oldest...Kinley

Some other friends of ours are always at OIB over Labor Day weekend, and we always enjoy their visit. We had dinner with Christy, Geoff, and Knox, then had them over for drinks on the deck. Christy is expecting baby boy #2 in February. I seriously think Payton thinks EVERY woman has a baby in her belly! We have SO many friends preggo right now!

The Brantleys expecting baby boy #2 in February!

Knox Brantley

We love our OIB group and extended family! We can't wait to do it again in 2013!

Umbrella time!

Jack and Sherri Jung...who SWAM over from Sunset Beach!

Here's our beautiful family...we are so very blessed!

Payton sure loves her Grumps!

And I love him too!

My Mommy and Me...we couldn't do without all her help with the kids, day-in and day-out. We love our Granby very much!

Both kids loved Payton's new Aerobed! She slept GREAT in it!

And although Ocean Isle isn't a nude beach, we made it one for a moment...hey, you only have an opportunity for wedding slideshow embarrassing pictures a few times in their lives! Enjoy!