Carolina Beach, Adrianne's Bachelorette Party & Wedding, and Father's Day

I love the beach.  I think I'd live there if I could (and there are some friends pushing...hard...to get that to happen!)  Moving to the lake was the next best thing, and it's been an incredible past 16 (gulp) years, but there's something about that salt air, hearing the ocean, watching the beautiful birds and fish, trying to surf and paddleboard, enjoying the delicious SEAFOOD, and living the laid-back lifestyle that soothes the soul.  The kids and I took off for Carolina Beach to visit the most wonderful hosts, The Bradleys...Brad, Marian, Marea, Kieran, and Leah.  Brian had plans to play golf, and hang out, with one of his best friends, JB, over the weekend.  JB was in town from Seattle, and they obviously don't get to see each other often.  He also had two important work meetings he couldn't miss, so he joined us later in the week.  The kids literally counted down the days until our trip the week before.  They were SO excited!  Here's a look into our trip...a LOT of pictures. This could be the longest blog yet. I had to cram a lot onto one blog...Hey, this is my photo album, so I can't help it.  The kids are at such a cute age (don't I always say that?) and I just want to capture every little moment.  Every little cute thing they do. 

With Kieran (6.5)

With Marea (8.5), who he has now dubbed as his best friend.  She was a SUPER big help!

Little Chris, who I've known since college, stayed the weekend, and was quite the entertainment for the kids...

Yes, I have quite the album I'm putting together for his wedding...

Sweet, sweet Marian

Payton and her BFF, Kieran

Ouch!

Payton (4), Kieran (6.5), and Leah (5)

Yep.  Pretty much sums up our week!

Saturday was spent on the beach, well, not unlike any other day.  The Catletts, Johno, and little Chris joined us.  Every day was gorgeous, with the exception of one short morning rain.  We definitely got lucky!

Griffin with Miso, who is a pretty cool cat...until Callie came around.  Then we didn't see her again :(

Jumping waves

Hey Kieran!  Want to take a nap under the tent, on this comfy chair?  Nah, this will do.

Team NEFF!

Thanks, guys, for making me look so tan, lol.

Photobombed by Johno

Weekend at Bernie's, err, Brad's...and it's a week!

So, Griffin has turned from shy into Mr. Social.  He made friends with all of these kids and they must have had 10 races on the beach.  He came in almost last for most of them, but he felt like a winner.  Haha.  He had a blast!

Sweet Ruby

Alligator goes "chomp chomp!"

The beautiful Mrs. Catlett and me...

 Sunday we rode up to North Beach to meet up with my high school friend, Rodney Yohe, and watch his son, Mason, compete in the ShredFest.  We all had a blast and it was great seeing an old friend!

Rodney and Mason (14)

We've known each other since Junior High!

Griffin and this little boy became fast friends and had a blast playing

Yoga?

And this was the last time he wore a diaper all week...except to bed.  The week at the beach really screwed up his potty training.  Peeing and pooping wherever you want!  Who wouldn't want that?  EW.  Poo!

JJ and Jenn invited ALL of us to wreck have dinner with them at their gorgeous new home.  Thank you to the Catletts for having us!

The BEST hosts.  Seriously.  Awesome friends.  Awesome people.

Marian, Jenn, and Me...love these girls!

JJ, Brad, and little Chris.  Not sure what's going on here, but they are always making me smile.

Seriously.  Keep a straight face looking at these guys.  I dare you.

Monday morning, after Brad and I went on a run, I took the kids, yes all FIVE, to the aquarium at Ft. Fisher.  The kids loved seeing all the animals, and even got to touch a shark and a sting ray!

Gators...one of Griffin's most favorite animals

Then, of course, we spent the days on the beach. Griffin was a little timid of the waves, at first, but by mid-week, he didn't want to hold anyone's hand, and he was jumping waves like a pro.  Payton, well, she's our little fish and hung with the big girls.  Marea was such a HUGE help with all the kids...shoot!  I still need to pay her babysitting money!!  I will, Marea.  I will!!  She was awesome with the all the kids.  Brad and Marian's little grown up!

Naps on the beach are the best!

Let the meltdown commence...

Such a sweet little brother you have, Payton

Seriously...I'm biased here, but could the kid get any cuter?

You can see where the girls get their beauty!!  (Sorry, Brad, lol)

The kid has serious ups!

Yes, they both still nap.  And, yes, they sleep on the beach.  Awesome!

Amanda (our Snowshoe friend), Brad, and Amanda's friend, Brandon (who is in the coast guard)

Amanda made an awesome sand sea turtle!

Adults only night at the Oceanic with old friends :)  Thanks for the group selfie, JJ!

Then Friday, our last day, we spent...wait for it...on the beach!  I know.  Shocking.  It was a gorgeous day and we needed to wear the kids out.  We had the same babysitter from the previous night come watch all FIVE kids, so we could take a boat ride and have dinner with our friends.  I think Griffin had a little crush on the babysitter.  First thing he asked me Saturday morning was he wanted to know if Morgan had spent the night.  Boy, they start young these days!

No beach trip is complete without a trip to the local ice cream shop!  Pops!

Um, that seems to work better in the water, buddy!

G$ is the man...I'm just sayin'  The odds are definitely in his favor!

Griffin teaching TJ how to pick up older women, haha!

Going for a boat ride in Wrightsville Beach on my friend Rodney's boat.  And I love, love this girl right here!

Rodney and Rhonda Yohe

Mr and Mrs Bradley

Sunset at Bluewater

McClintock and East Meck reunited!  Missy (Davis) Miller, Rodney Yohe, and me...class of 1991

Friday the 13th Full Moon

Bye Bye, Bluewater...we'll be back soon!

A HUGE Thank You to the Bradley's for putting up with us for over a week...cooking, cleaning, listening, talking, drinking, eating, laughing, shuttling kids back and forth to poop, singing, running, yelling, beaching, refereeing, and everything in between!  We love you guys!!  And you'll see us soon!  (yes, that's a threat, lol!)

Here's a link to watch Payton wakeboarding with me.  It's super hard to see, but she's standing on the board with me.  She LOVES it!  http://youtu.be/KZX5HXCm15Q

And here are some other pictures from our lake life, early June...

Matt, Nick, Me, JT, Brent

Happy Birthday Cap'n Nick!

Kayaking around the sandbar

Can't wait to go wakeboarding!

Gorgeous sunsets each night

Gaining perspective

All blurry...Marie, Me, and Mandi (and Bear and Tucker!)

My good friend, Matt...he has just recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor and will require surgery, July 8th.  Please keep him, and his family, in your thoughts and prayers as he begins this scary journey.

And I received a special delivery at my office.  He was so cute I decided to keep him!

Payton with her 3's class teachers, Ms "M" and Ms Paige...last day of school!  They are looking forward to having Griffin next year.

From my sweet friend, Adrianne's, bachelorette party...

 And from Adrianne's wedding evening...it was a beautiful night, and Adrianne and Johnny make a gorgeous couple.  I can't freaking wait to see their curly-headed children!  They will be so adorable.  Congrats to the McKnights!

JJ the photobomber

Heather, Angie, Jenn, Kacey, and me...

Congrats, pretty lady!

And HAPPY FATHER's DAY to both Brian, and my daddy.  I wouldn't be the strong woman and mother that I am today without my dad (and mom!)  Thank you for everything you have done for me, and continue to do for me.  I'm so thankful to be your daughter!  Brian is a wonderful father to our kids.  He is patient and is a great role model for them.  I'm lucky to have chosen him as the father of our children!  On Father's Day, the kids, Brian, JJ, Kim, and I spent the day on the lake.  It was a gorgeous day, and Payton and I got a little wakeboarding time in!  We visited Julie, Mike, and Mattie, and Stonie, Chris, Carter, and Juliet.

They love him to pieces!

Payton LOVES to wakeboard!

Juliet!

Carter and Payton

Mattie going for a ride in her grandfather's sea plane!

Well, that just about does it.  I have taken thousands of pictures lately.  I love documenting our lives and telling the story.  I hope you enjoy it also!  Live well, stress less, and enjoy more.  Life is short.