Mini Golf

Have you ever played mini golf with a three year old and 18 month old????  I think I did more chasing than actually hitting the golf ball, but we had a blast anyways.  We headed to our favorite Golfin' Dolphin when we were down in Emerald Isle!  

I honestly can't tell you who won (I know it wasn't me---I'm terrible), but we had a BLAST!!!

The best part of vacation...

We LOVE spending time with family when we are on vacation!  Since we live so far from everyone we LOVE so dearly, we cherish all the moments that we have with them.  Aiden just ADORES every member of both families---extensively talking about each one of them, calling them on his "toy" cell phones and face timing with him on his "toy" iPad, and even pretends to be some of our lovely family members.

So we just love going on vacation so we can spend some precious time with our family!  And of course, Chris and I love having extra hands around.  Extra hands to help get kids dressed, baby-sit so we can head to the beach at nap time, and hours of entertaining our cute boys!

Now, this is a special photo as Andrew is NOT a cuddling child---but I caught this rare moment of snuggling with MeMe when he was just waking up!

 And Aiden adored the attention he got from Uncle Andy and Cynthia!

 Aiden LOVES his precious MeMe---and his great-grandma Brown Sugar;)  Not sure she got that nickname but it stuck and that's what my grandma is known to my children!

 Grandpa reading to the boys!

 And Daddy snuck in some iPad time with the boys:)

 Uncle Andy took the boys out to play---I'm pretty sure Aiden is bossing him around in this picture!

Hanging at the beach---the best place on Earth:)

 Riding the turtle with Uncle Andy!

Off to the Beach!

So I'm finally getting around to posting our vacation photos!  I would love to take credit for all these photos, but I have to give a HUGE thanks to my dad for taking some of these fabulous shots!

We headed to Emerald Isle for a week of sun, sand, and fun with my parents, grandma, and my brother and his girlfriend.  We had A LOT of fun, despite the fact that neither kid loved the beach and we all shared one room for several nights.  The boys were SPOILED with love and attention soaking up every moment they could get with the family.  I love seeing my family---as the moments are SO rare!

Here are some shots and there are a few more posts to come...

Beach loving mommy with my not so loving beach boy!

But we did manage to get a few smiles:)

Aiden playing in the sand!

But he did NOT want to get near the ocean.  We did get him to sit in the waves the last day:)

What they did with their time at the beach----what else but trucks?

Lounging (or climbing) the chairs!

                    Looking for shells with Andy and Cynthia!

       

Andrew at 18 months---BEACH time!

Summer Adventures

The best part about summer is all the adventures you can take!  Before we headed out on our vacation to NC, we did some fun things with our friends.  

Our first adventure was strawberry picking!  The boys had a blast, despite the fact that we lost Andrew's pacifier somewhere in the field and thankfully I found the missing Keen shoe in the midst of strawberry plants!  They ate more than their weight in strawberries---you can imagine who did all the picking?  But they had tons of fun!

Here goats...

 This kid was a strawberry mess...

 Aiden was a little more cautious...

 Brothers enjoying some strawberries...

 And look who climbed the haystack all by himself...

We also headed back to the zoo again, now that we have our yearly pass!  Of course, the day we headed over there, it was CRAZY BUSY with field trips so we could barely even walk through the zoo.  And my poor kids, the train was SO busy that we didn't even get to go for a ride.  You know that is the highlight of their day!  But they were content with seeing all the animals and spending time with their friends.

Andrew riding the frog...

 Aiden and Maggie...

 Sweet brothers:)  (Andrew wasn't too happy about sharing the frog, can't you tell?!)

 And look who was showing his penguin the rest of his family...

 Drew, Aiden, Andrew, and Maggie---all looking at penguins!

Some shots before vacation...

The week before vacation is always a challenge.  Trying to get packed, cleaned, organized, and all ready to go before our BIG adventure:)  But we did it and we are about to do it again next week---right after I just finished unpacking!  Oh well, that's how summer goes:)  Anyways, here are some random photos of the boys that I thought you might enjoy:

This is how we watch the garbage trucks---one at each window, dressed in pajamas, looking down from above!

 Does this remind you of Home Alone?

 Look who got some free ice cream---this crazy trio:)

 All ready to go, bags are packed!

 Somebody LOVES these Thomas stickers---I find them everywhere-clothes, the couch, floors, etc.  Awesome, right?

 Just a reminder again on why his nickname is Pig Pen!!!

 Happy Feet and Aiden ready for another adventure together:)

 Mr. Cool Shades

 Loved his My Gym month of classes---may have to sign up again next fall or winter.  It really is adorable and this little monkey was ALL over the place:)

 Checking out the car show downtown---posing in front of this awesome race car!

Smiles!

How can you not love these two sweet things?!?!