Until Next Year

Oak Island Fun!

Another year, another great beach vacation!  

The exciting first night's toes in the water!

and  not being upset when more than their toes get in the water

Bethany tentatively touched the sand (then ate some of the sand).  

But almost immediately, tentative turned into brave and loving it!

And, Benjamin and Evie, well try and stop 'em! 

This kid.  That grin.  The ocean.  

Such joy hanging out with the kids this year at the beach

From laughing in the water, running in the sand,

and all the seashell walks we can fit in!

Too much fun.

Barely able to get them to stop and turn for a picture.

Oma  and Opa with the Raleigh 6

A break from the ocean

a ferry ride 

to the aquarium

a long day out makes for a tired baby

Bethany entertained us with her "stank face"

the whole trip, she made us laugh

Smile for Italian Ice

Back to the beach

and what is more fun than digging holes!?

Well, sitting in holes!

Both agree.

When digging holes turns into digging tunnels, dads and kids can't stay away!

Too.much.fun.

Vacation Portraits

Oak Island 

August 2016

the benefit of having a sister-in-law with a great camera, 

you get some awesome pictures!

I love toddler toes in the sand!

Peek-a-boo!

These cousins!  May they always be as good of friends as they are right now!

Anderson and Anna-Kate (7)

Benjamin and Evie (4)

Camden (11) and Bethany (1)

And, well, all 6 of the cousins, ... this is just the best it got!

Summer Fun with Cousins

This summer has been full of  cousin fun!

We have gotten to see Jax at least every other week at the pool!

It is so fun to watch Bethany with Miles, "ba'y, ba'y!"

One fun morning, Aunt Amanda set up the sprinkler for us, so fun!

The Browns have hung out with us once a week.  

walk to the lake

in this heat,outside play is limited to a few minutes first thing

But, whoa, lots of art!!

This was one of my absolute favorites, Eric Carle day! I did the first one to give them an idea; they took it from there!

One of the good things has been that I can plan to get something done because the kids know each other so well.  One day Princess Evie helped me clean the toilets. 

These two, sitting still seldom, but fun together always!

These two remain two peas in a pod!  Art and each other, it's a good morning!

Camden and Bethany may not have their own twin, but the way the six work together is sweet to watch!    

16 Months

Our Bethie girl

At 16 months, you are a full blown walker.  You are not a big talker, but you are starting to mimic more and more.  You have your few words:  mama, dadda, more, dog, woof woof, uh-uh, oh.  You love books.  You want to keep up with your siblings.  You love playing outside, exploring everything, and giving big hugs.  You maintain your easy-going spirit, unless you are hungry.  We love that you are our sweet, cuddly, independent little one!

Here are some classic Bethie looks caught on camera!