Sand, Sun and Surf

We made it to Oak Island and met up with the Moody Family. We had a great time, most of it spent on the beach. The boys enjoyed every minute of it. We could not have had a better vacation. Actually, it was our first vacation that we didn't visit family or go to a wedding. Thanks to the Moody's for inviting us to the beach!!

This picture was taken on our third day at the beach. Grady had some major thigh chaffing. Hence, the undies at the beach. He was much happier without his bathing suit on.

Cute little Corinne. She is such a tiny little thing but very tough. Look at her trying to carry all the sand buckets. I think this was mainly a ploy to get them away from Myles. Between the two of them, the word "mine" was said about 1 million times.

Splashing in the surf.

The Moody Family.

Grady, Myles and EllaGrey looking for crabs.

Rob, EllaGrey, Josh and Grady going out in the big waves.

Salty, sandy pretzels, anyone?? Myles would dip these in the ocean and continue to eat them. Pretty gross but at least he was washing the sand off....

The boys

G and EG getting a ride on the boogie board.

G wanted to stay out in the deep water the entire time. Good thing Josh was willing.

A little lacrosse on the beach.

Oops I put this in twice.

Josh takes the boys out.

Myles, heading to the water.

Grady and EG looking at some seaweed. They were actually being nice to each other in this pic. I think these two enjoy arguing and torturing each other. Not so fun for the mom's.

G's fiddler crab impression.

All tired out after the beach.

Father's Day Weekend

We had an action packed Father's Day weekend in Boone, NC. It started out with a trip to the Tweetsie Railroad Amusement Park, followed by camping and then an excursion to Grandfather Mountain. The boys, Josh included, had a blast. I was so impressed with Grady and Myles as we were on the go the entire time. They loved every minute. Josh decided that he wants to go camping every Father's Day. You got it, my love!

The Tweetsie Railroad

G and Moo in a stagecoach

The Scala boys with the Tweetsie

I wanted to take a family ride in the Tilt-A-Whorl. What a bad idea!! Mind you, the kids loved it...Josh and I took an hour to recover. I use to love this ride. I guess the older you get, the less spinning you can take. I swear the ride lasted 5 minutes while the college kid controlling the thing texted his friends. BARF! Grady and Myles laughed the whole time.

Way up high on the Farris Wheel

After the Tilt-A-Whorl, the merry go round was a piece of cake.

Watch out, Myles behind the wheel.

I sat with G but let him steer....bad idea. I think I got whiplash from smacking into the guardrails over and over again.

As much as I don't like petting zoo and the like, the boys love them.

Flying Scala's

The train uses coal so standing too close as it goes by could result in this...a face full of soot and coal in your eye!

Mom and Moo on the little train ride.

Brotherly love (just don't look at G's nails digging into M's face)

We camped after the Tweetsie. Can you tell how tired G was? Both boys were exhausted but that didn't mean they were going to sleep. "Mom, it's still light out!" It didn't get dark until 9:30. I guess that is what we get camping so close to the summer solstice.

Myles loves his camping chair.

In the tent.

The next morning we went up to Grandfather Mountain as we had never been to the park before. It reminded us of Colorado when we reached the top. Beautiful views and 65 degree weather. It had a wonderful nature center and sweet hiking trails.

We ventured across the mile high swinging bridge. It was swaying in the breeze...a little sketchy for me but exciting for the boys.

Pool Season is Here

The Black Mountain Pool opened last weekend. We were so excited!! We have been there almost everyday this week as it has been super hot and muggy. Nothing like the pool to cool you off. It's walking distance from our house so we plan on spending a lot of time there. Hello, Summer!!

Myles enjoyed cooling off

Grady thinks he is a master swimmer, which he is not. I have to keep a close eye on him as he always migrates towards the deep end.

On the other hand, Myles is content to lay in the shallow end.

My little surfer.

loungin' pool side

Quote of the Day

Yesterday, G picked up my cell phone and said, "Mom, I'm talking to a guy that can get me an axe, a real sword that's dangerous and a cigarette butt that blows smoke."

Oh my goodness, I have created a uni bomber??!! No, he is just fascinated with anything I tell him not to play with. He is forever trying to play with Josh's sharpest, most dangerous tools. He has also begun to notice people smoking which he always has to point out in a VERY loud voice...."THAT GUY IS SMOKING CIGARETTES!!!" Boys, boys boys........

Cute little bums

The dog's water bowls are always a source of amusement.

Memorial Day Camping Trip

We had the great idea of going camping this Memorial Day Weekend, along with the rest of NC. We met our friends, the Moody's, at a family campground in Spruce Pine. Now, this kind of camping is totally foreign to Josh and I. Bye-Bye small 2 man backpacking tent, hello 50lb, 8man tent. I have to say sleeping on an air mattress does have it's benefits. No more hiking in several miles to camp....we just pulled into the site and dumped out our plethora of supplies. Pretty easy! Looks like this is how we will be camping until the boys are a little older. I can dig it.

Here's the site.

Myles and Corrine Moody. They are 7 weeks apart and great buddies. Isn't she precious?!

Hiking down to do a little fishing in the lake.

Grady and EllaGrey Moody. They are acting friendly in this pic but the next second G splashed her in the face with water. It has always been a love/hate relationship with these two.

Myles enjoyed the lake as well. Both boys are totally fearless in the water, making me a nervous wreck! Hence, the water wings and life jacket.

G hitting on the ladies. He was telling them he was three and he wanted them to watch him swim. They both got in and swam around with him.

Silly boys

Grumpy, sleepy Myles. He was ready for bed but would not give up. We had to drive him around the campground to get him to fall asleep.

Packing it up

Gramma and Grandpa

Without fail, Gramma and Grandpa have made every birthday the boys have had. They are so lucky to have so many Grandparents in their lives. Gramma and Grandpa, thank you for all the wonderful things you do for us. Grady and Myles are two of the luckiest boys in the world.

Grady's favorite present....a set of frogs, snakes and lizards. Gramma, you sure know the way to this little guys heart.

This was birthday cake #3.

Gramma and Grandpa gave the boys a bath every night. What a break for me!!

Grandpa and Grady. Can you tell how excited he was?

They took Grady to a really cool toy store and let him pick a few things out. He picked out a huge rubber tortise and an airplane. G passed out with both toys. What a content little man.

Happy Birthday to Grady!

Yesterday was Grady's 3rd Birthday. I had to work on Saturday as it was Girl Scout Day at the park so we had his party on Sunday. Gramma and Grandpa came to visit (their visit will be a whole new post...stay tuned) and we invited 20 or so friends over. Josh cooked homemade pasta and meatballs and of course we had a cake.

Grady, you are truly, one of a kind. He continues to amaze me on a daily basis. Words can't describe how much I love that little monkey. I look forward to everyday, just to see what he is going to do and say. What a unique and wonderful son I have!!

G doesn't really care for meat, with the exception of BACON. So, for his birthday he wanted a plate full of it for breakfast. You got it, little man

Wilbur the snake

The hit of the party was Wilbur the hognose snake! My friend, Emily from the park, brought Wilbur, a corn snake and a box turtle for some entertainment. Grady was looking forward to seeing Wilbur more than having a party. Thanks, Emily and Joey!!

Happy Birthday, G

G decided that he didn't need a fork (or hands) to eat his cake. Notice the cool stuffed snake? Gramma and Grandpa brought every kid at the party a snake and safari hat. They think of the coolest things!

Kelly, one of Grady's favorite people, came to the party as well. I hope she still wants to have that baby after seeing all the crazy kids at the party!! It is her and Steven's first....they have so much fun to look forward too. Thanks for coming, Kelly and Steven.

Moo man, crushing a cookie.

Party time