beach time at topsail island

We always go to the beach over the 4th of July.  This year was going to be no different even if we are in Texas.  Since we needed to move a bunch of stuff back to NC we figured we'd roll in a vacation too.  We loaded the truck, suburban and two trailers with things we weren't going to need the next year and headed home to NC.



Unloaded the trailers and all the stuff, visited our cool house we miss so much, slept on blow up mattresses then hit the road to Topsail Island. We were excited as our son Jon would be meeting us there.  Unfortunately, Josh couldn't get off work.  A new beach this year as we wanted to take our dog- Boone.



Ahh the beach - this is what life is about and this is why we chose Topsail Island- they allow furry family members to play in the sand also.

The gangs all here (except Joshie) - missed you bud.

The umbrellas are a staple for Hebert Holiday.  I can't be in the sun much because of meds.  But I think we need a bigger tent instead..

Just the girls...

And the dudes...

A tradition- the one who finds the most scallops wins.

This boy- I adore him.  I love his love for life, his energy, his warmth, his caring self.  My Jack...

This boy- well young man is trying but loving, full of life, knows what he wants and is getting it...my Jon.

 

Could sand time be any more fun?  Jack is our sand merman...how he stays in that sand without freaking out is beyond me.  Aren't they too cute?

Sophie's turn to be buried in the sand..she did not last long as she takes after me and started to freak out and needed out NOW.  

Trying to build a castle or a village...

These kids love the water...it is why we go every year. We need a condo or beach house so we can do this all summer.  That would rock by the way- just saying.

This girl is my sunshine, my mini-me, full of sass and attitude, a loving girl one moment and a witch the next.  She is a gymnast and a daredevil... my Sophie.

She seems to be a budding model too...Watch out Sports Illustrated or the remake of Baywatch :)

The beach was amazing.  I love going there.  Even though I don't get in the water too much it is just the way the whole place relaxes things for me.  In my next life or heck in this one I want to live there year round.  That is my dream place.

Till next summer Topsail Island...

a trip to NC - surprise

Well as you know we are stationed in Texas.  Our home was rented out to what we thought were good people. Man did they fool us and the property manager.  To describe the tenant I'd say: whiney, delusional, bitchy, arrogant and just plain cray cray.  They signed a 2 year lease but after 10 months of driving the property manager and us crazy we offered them an early out if they chose to.  They did thank heavens.  But I had to fly back and do a walkthrough to determine the many damages and unauthorized changes she did.  

As the inspection was to take place on May 1 after they vacated I figured I'd make it a weekend trip and take in the Cameron Antique Fair also.  I also planned on surprising Sophie and taking her along.  

I'd say we surprised her.  haha

She was so excited to be flying.  See she is having fun here at RDU..

Once there she had to meet up with her girlie friends.  She has missed these crazy lemon heads so much.  Crazy girls, pizza and moms with cameras..Yep that is a recipe for cray cray.

Her other love was that she got to have McDonalds biscuits and gravy for breakfast. 

We also got to see Grandma and Aunt Trisha and her big brother Jon came in for the weekend.  

We went strawberry picking at Gross Farms. Nothing like green fields of fresh strawberries.  Things this part of dead Texas doesn't have. 

Crazy family right there..haha

We picked over 13 pounds of strawberries.  Couldn't take them on the plane trip home so Jon made out like a bandit and took them all back to his apartment. 

We hated leaving. I mean hated it.  Can't wait till the end of June to see them all again. 

spring break in san antonio

While in Texas one should try to see the sights.  For spring break we figured it was a long enough time to visit San Antonio- it has many checks on the Texas bucket list.

First up is camping.  We rented a travel trailer from MWR - outdoor rec and stayed at a military campground.  Our trip was to see the sights but also to take along our Flat Ethan- from our son's friend Ethan who lives in NC.  Flat Ethan needed to visit many places and document them.  He was our added friend on spring break. Jack took care of posing with him everywhere.

 

The wildlife was all over the place.  It freaked Boone out so much.  The deer came right up to the campsites.

There was a great lake- Canyon Lake to fish in - although no fish were caught - :(

Our next check was the Alamo.

After the Alamo, we hit the river walk.  It was a nice area just not very kid friendly - food wise.  It was a short trip as we were all hungry.   See my little Sophie, she is so cute.

These were so cute..not every day you see a mama duck and her babies.

We were told that a riverboat ride was required.  We did it and enjoyed it so much.

Seeing the trees all in bloom was such a great sight -especially after being in Wichita Falls for 9 months with nothing green or living.

The architecture was amazing.

This building was my favorite.  It had the faces molded in corbels. I ADORED this building.

Now you can't do San Antonio with kids and not hit Sea World.

 

As if the shows weren't enough, they had rides.  This one scared the be-jeezus out of Sophie.

Other than that we hit up some shopping on St. Patricks day- yep my bday wish.  We ate out at Olive Garden and we just played around the campsite.

It was a good time had by all.  But now back to school :(