OIB 2014!

One of my favorite trips of the year...our trip to "end the summer."  Our family trip to Ocean Isle Beach, NC.  It's our tradition.  I can't remember a summer when we didn't go to OIB with the Garmans and Tophams.  Our little group of 12 has now grown to something like 31 people!  Again, we got super lucky with the weather, as a small hurricane stayed off-shore just prior to our trip, and cleared it out for us.  Croquet was played.  Waves were jumped.  Birthdays were celebrated.  Crabs were caught...haha.  Ghost crabs, that is!  Great food was eaten. Wine was consumed...right out of the bottle, even!  And a good time was had by all.

We welcomed some new faces this year...Amy and Kevin Kilchenstein were married back in June (remember the post from St. Simons Island?)  So, we were thrilled to have Kevin, and his 3 awesome kids, Phillip (17), Lacey (15), and Caroline (12). The girls were a HUGE help with our kids.  Payton really latched onto Caroline K, when she wasn't playing with Caroline T and Julia.  Kevin held his own on the croquet court, and could very well be a threat next year!  We also welcomed the newest, and littlest member of our extended family, Mila Talevska.  Stevan and Jilly had her just 9 weeks ago.  This was her first beach trip, and from what I could tell, she LOVED the ocean :)  And last, but not least, JP brought his girlfriend, Sylvia, who lives in Maryland.  She was lovely, and we all enjoyed meeting her.  We hope to see her LOTS more in the future!  Welcome to the family, ALL!

Our gorgeous house

After being in the car for almost 4 hours...we made it.  We were the first to arrive, well on the beach, anyway.  The older Tophams must not have had as many pee breaks as we did, lol. The kids were SO excited!!

Brian found (made) shade and a quiet spot to enjoy a book

Griffin also managed to do a little relaxing!

We had multiple birthdays to celebrate within one week...Sam  (5), Wes (3), Caroline K (12), Beth (21), and Wally (100)!

Wes and Caroline K

Sam

Kevin, to whom Amy is now married, his daughter, Caroline, and Wes...

Sweet moment...new daddy, new baby girl.  She already has him wrapped around all of his fingers!

Sassy little man!

Jilly and her baby...isn't she a doll?  lol

She's going to be a water baby!

What a cute baby girl!

Lacey and G$

Stevan, Jill, and sweet Mila

Amy, Missy, Lacey, Caroline, Kate...and Payton (love the reach!)  4 going on 16.

So on day #2, Saturday, after a morning of runs, walks, and exercise, the croquet tournament was to begin.  The tide was high around noon, so the guys had to wait later in the afternoon.  In the meantime, there was lots of croquet practice, swimming, eating, reading, lying out, sleeping, drinking, swimming, and playing.  The kids, with the exception of Mila, are all at a really pretty easy age where we can let them "go."  The younger guys stuck around with the older ones, and all pretty much got along.  I think Wes and Griffin and Sam all got into it once or twice, but that's what boys do, right?  Haha.  It was another gorgeous day, and most of the parents were able to relax a little.

Sweet moment with new sisters

Griffin, Whitt, Sam, and Wes...this is what most mornings looked like around the house.  The kids in "charge" and the adults out exercising.  Love it.

The newlyweds after a very humid morning run!

Payton...getting her "tubing" in

Grumps, giving Payton and Sam some advice on taking on the waves

Granby relaxing

Ben and Jan...found some shade

...and so did our new momma, Jilly, and baby Mila

Big "T" playing in the sand

Wally, are you helping Lauren with her wedgie?  haha

Grumps has ups?

Those are Sam's legs...this picture makes me laugh!

Grumps giving lessons on jumping

Boys...they never grow up.

Lauren and big brother Thomas

Sam taking on the waves.  Speaking of, Kevin and I sure wished we would have had some surf boards.  The waves were double-head high at times.  It was awesome!

Wally and Granby helping Thomas ride the waves

Katy, Wally, and Beth

Yep.  That's a mermaid.  Haha.

Uncle JP and Sylvia hiding from the sun

Sam and Wes, tossing some bags

Kerry, Amy, Missy, Me, Sylvia (Jilly had baby duty!)

Um, which way to muscle beach, sir?

Starting him young!  Look at the tongue out.  Such concentration!

My brother and me

Sam and Whitt...taking notes

Kevin's first year playing...and made it to the finals!

Stevan's first year playing...Luke nearby, giving him pointers

Phillip...relaxing

One day you'll be out there, buddy.  One day.

Yes, we all agree it IS blue and it IS round.

Even Kate was trying to find some shade, lol.

When did they grow up?

Air Sam!

Reflection

I love my little lovebugs

JP & Sylvia

Our 2014 Group!

Beautiful, new blended family

My beautiful family

Look at Gramps with that cute baby!  I think he needs another grandbaby!!!  :D

Beautiful evening

Sunday was another gorgeous day!  Some of my besties, The Brantleys, stopped by for a visit with their two cutie pies, Knox (4) and Hunter (18 mo).  The croquet finals and championship games were played, and we all enjoyed our last day on the beach.  The weekend goes by way too fast.  If it were up to me, we'd stay for TWO weeks :)

Payton couldn't stop talking about baby Mila for two weeks leading up to the trip.  She got her fix several times during the weekend!  I can't believe Payton was ever this small.  Tear...

Miss Sassy "no" Pants right here!

Caroline K, Payton, Lacy, Whitt, and lil G

Practicing his "pull-back" move

Handsome Knox (almost 4)

Geoff...he and I went to ASU together.

Geoff with his happy little man, Hunter

The next Tom Brady in the making!  (His mommy is a Pats fan too, so this is acceptable and encouraged :)

Big Ben buying some italian ice for the little guys

Payton chatting it up with Sylvia

Her hair keeps getting more and more curly and wavy as it grows...

Ah, so THAT's the trick to becoming the Croquet CHAMP!  Hot, red wine, right out of the bottle!

(no)...♫ Memories ♪

Strategizing with the Final Four

That hat!

With my Daddy :)  The 2014 CROQUET CHAMP! (We forgot to get pictures of the handing over of the trophy)

I'm going to have to buy him one of his own...

Wally, setting up

Big T!

My beautiful momma!

Kate, who is growing up WAY too quickly!

And little Lauren...

Poor Mr. Topham wasn't having it!

Almost all the kids...

Aaaaaanndd...that's a wrap!  Another fun Labor Day weekend in the books.  I miss the beach as soon as we cross over the bridge :(  I guess it's time to look forward to cooler evenings, bonfires, football, pumpkin carving...and then....wait for it......SNOW :)  Guess it's time to get my shiny new snowboard suited up and ready to ride!  Until then, I'll be wearing my wetsuit and playing in the wave.

The kids start soccer next week, and Payton will begin dance soon.  The fall looks like it will be full of fun...outdoor activities, birthday parties, visits to out-of-town friend's houses, mountain trips, Trick-or-Treating, Oktoberfests, and much more!  You aren't promised tomorrow, so get out and live today to its fullest!  xo