Heading to the Beach

Our great friends, the Moody's, invited us to join them at their family beach house on Oak Island, NC. We had never been down to that part of NC so we were really excited to check it out. On the way, we stopped off in Wilmington. What a cool city! We loved it. It reminded us of Charleston, SC but a bit smaller. I wish we could have had more time to really look around.

Then we headed to the NC Aquarium in Fort Fisher. It was a great aquarium full of native NC marine life. The boys love anything that involves fish and the like. After the aquarium we took a ferry over to Oak Island. The boys were wonderful with all the traveling. I have to say, it is getting easier!!!

Checking out a replica of an NC pond.

Gators!!

Myles is looking very bored while a hungry gator stares him down.

Silly boys

They found a crab hole.

On the ferry

Crossing over to Oak Island/Southport.

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.