Weekend Visitors!

Me and Danny are famous for our weekend trips. Once we even flew to Massachusetts for 24 hours. But it's extremely rare that we have the same kind of visits. So, that's why when Danny's sister asked us if she could come down for the weekend we were so excited! I requested the day off from work, decorated Kaleb's room and got ready to use our pull out couch for the first time. 

Kaleb, Rachel and Amirah arrived around 10:30 Friday night. After a 11 hour roadtrip the kids still had so much energy! Kaleb was so excited to show off his room to his aunt and cousin. He even gave them the full length tour of the house, complete with telling Amirah all the rules: no touching the walls and no eating in the living room. I love that kid!

Every weekend there is a ton going on in North Carolina - always some kind of festival or fair. But, of course, there was nothing going on this weekend. So, we said 'carpe diem' and drove two hours to Myrtle Beach! First stop was the beach! It was so gorgeous out, 65 degrees in November is unheard of in Ohio so the kids were loving it!

Then we made a stop at the arcade to play some games and win some prizes. Which included a whistle and a harmonica. More on that later...

 Next stop! Pirate Voyage! The show was so much fun. The preshow included fun songs and juggling...and beverages for the adults. Then we moved into the arena where there were pirate boats, animals and, of course, pirates. And oh-em-gee....enough food to feed 10 of me. I bought the kiddos fun flags and Amirah proclaimed it the BEST DAY EVER!

When we got home the kids decided they were starting a band...with the whistle and harmonica. They sang a rousing rendition of Old McDonald for about 45 minutes...Miley even joined in with a howl every once in a while. I think she was trying to tell them that they were hurting her ears!

This morning there was lots of lounging, coffee and donuts. And our weekend visitors were back on the road by 9:30. It was a quick trick but I'm so glad it happened! I love that we are getting closer to Danny's family and I hope it continues...and that there are many more trips in the future!

Family Vacation: Maine Part 1!

Day 5: Back on the Road!

 Atleast this trip was shorter! We headed up to my parents house in Maine for the rest of our vacation - think..total relaxation. The second we got there Kaleb was in his swimming shorts, in the water and having fun! And, in true Maine fashion, we played UNO...all night.

Day 6: Christmas in July

I don't know if you guys know this, but my Mom is amazing. Saturday morning we woke up to a decorated tree, a Christmas breakfast, and presents. Instead of stockings we got sand buckets full of goodies. Seriously, Mom of the Year (past 26 years actually.)

Saturday was pretty much awesome. Me and Mom went grocery shopping while everyone else hungout on the beach. Me and Mom can do some serious damage when we are grocery shopping (and I'm not talking about the fact that I totally wiped out in the grocery store!) We picked up some delicious lobst-ahs and steam-ahs. Oh, I love New England!

Day 7: Beach!

  This was my view all day Sunday. Danny, Dad, and Steve spent the morning golfing. Kaleb and Michelle built sandcastles...me and Mom just relaxed. It was so nice. Later that day, the jetski broke, it was a sad day!

Day 8: New Friends

  Growing up there were no kids my age around our camp. So I was super excited to find out there would be tons of kids for Kaleb to hangout with! He spent so much time swimming, tubing, and running around with his new friends. He even told a girl he thought she was cute...they were so cute!

Maine is exhausting for everyone! By 7 every night everyone was lounging in the camp, ready to rest and get more energy for the next day!

Day 9: Soda and Wine Tasting

Tuesday we left the beach for a few hours to head to a local winery in Naples. At first it was just going to be me and Danny, but then I found out they also do soda tasting! So, we rounded up Kaleb and a family friend, Chelsey, for some fun.

It's the first winery we have visited with fresh hard cider, which was delicious! I liked it more the wine. The kids loved the soda. We picked up our favorites to have on hand for the rest of vacation! 

Check back tomorrow for the rest of our adventures! 

Day 8: Our Morning Walk

Have I mentioned that I live really close to the water? So close that we can start our mornings with this view!

Such a great way for the three of us to start our morning!

I can't wait to go alone with a cup of coffee and a book! How much more relaxing does it get?!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

My sister and her friend came down for a few days!

Here's a look at what we did!

Wilmington!

Duplin!

Fort Fisher Aquarium!

Carolina Beach!

Swansboro!

Lunch Date at the Beach!

Me and Danny haven't had a date night in six weeks. I don't know how people with kids do it! We couldn't wait any longer for a date...so after we said "see ya later" to Kaleb, we headed out for a lunch date!

We ended up at the 11th Street Tap House. Even though  it felt like 114 degrees out we decided to sit outside. The hostess looked at us like we were crazy...but hey, the views were gorgeous! I didn't realize the place was right on the beach, and since we have never been there before we wanted to soak it up while we could!

The food menu was tiny...but the drink menu? HUGE! I couldn't choose...and they weren't going to make me! We each ended up getting a beer flight with beers we have never even heard of. The last beer I ordered the waiter kinda gave me a funny look. After drinking it I totally understood. The Aventinus was nasty. According to the website it has chocolate, raisin, candied fruit, figs, toasted nuts, banana, vanilla, and clove notes. It also has amazing reviews, I might be the only person on earth who doesn't like it!

The food was awesome. Danny had the sliders, three different styles. I had the Cobb salad...the best one I have ever had. Tons of cheese and bacon. What more could a girl ask for?

What would a trip to Virginia Beach be without stopping to see a friend? I've now hungout with Mrs. Gambizzle in five states (North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Virginia!) Pretty cool, huh? We had a few drinks with her and her hubby before we left to head back to North Carolina.

Our kid free summer has officially started. We have zero plans set it stone. Our next big plan is Reina and Dave's wedding...and that's not until September. Give us something to do in the meantime!

Days 39 & 40: Wet, Wild....and Sweaty.

Vacation has been over for a few days....and it's setting in. While we were in Maine, my Mom taught Kaleb how to play UNO. So, as you can imagine, we've been playing a whole lot of UNO since we've been home. He must not like playing with me though - he called my Mom and asked her to come over last night! Oh, if only she lived a little closer!

Today was hot. Like, uncomfortably hot. It's a good thing today was Wet and Wild Wednesday at the marina! Me, Danny and Kaleb met up with Jacque, Austin and Jillian for some fun in the sun. And man...we sweat our asses off (for atleast one of us it looked like we peed our self!

Last time we went to Wet and Wild Wednesday we had so much fun. The kids got to go on all the slides. This time they had weird age restrictions. I'm not sure what the difference was between the two days but I could tell Kaleb wasn't really having fun. So....we got some super attractive orange life vests and went on the paddle boat!

I'm pretty sure the vest would choke me before it saved me from drowning. Also, paddle boats? Not as easy as I remember them being. I think they need to oil the pedals. It was a good workout though...as if I wasn't sweating enough already!

Kaleb is only here for two more days. Then we have to meet up with his mom. I'm already not liking the fact that next week I won't have anyone to hangout with or chat my ear off. We're already making plans to maybe have him down here for Christmas...and go to Disney in the spring. I'm a planner, what can I say!

Maine Vacation: Part 2

Day 6: Aquaboggin

The only thing I wanted to do on vacation was go to a water park. I wanted to go on Monday because everything is half priced...but because the guys went golfing we were stuck going on Tuesday. But it was so worth it! They had an amazing military discount....Danny got in free and me and Kaleb each saved $5 on our ticket. That's less than we were planning to spend on Monday!

The three of us went on a bunch of water slides! We had a yummy picnic lunch. And then Kaleb did a few more slides by himself. He must have done one slide atleast 10 times..he had so much fun, I love bringing him to new places!

 

Included in our super cheap tickets was unlimited mini golf. We didn't keep score but we had so much fun. It was the fasted round of mini golf ever...and I'm the only one that got a hole in one...with an assist from Kaleb!

After our fun day out we headed back to the beach. I took Kaleb frogging (he sqooshed one between his fingers!) Me and my sister used to go frogging all the time, they are super tiny frogs, I wouldn't be able to pick up the big ones!

For dinner we went to one of my favorite places, the Muddy Rudder. They have awesome clam chowder! I had grilled swordfish...but I should have had the fishermans platter, the few pieces I stole from my Dad was amazing!

Day 7: Portland

After the guys went golfing and the girls (and Kaleb!) went shopping we all headed to South Portland. My parents always go to the same bar and sit outside...this time they wouldn't let us sit outside, even when we threatened to leave! So, we decided to go to another bar...and sit outside. It was a gorgeous day in Portland!

 

After some yummy food and drinks we walked around downtown. Kaleb and my Dad got some ice cream, I bought some peach balsamic vinegar and a Life is Good shirt. We had fun navigating the streets...and trying to find a public bathroom!

Day 8: Big Sebago

Thursday we took the boat to the big lake for a day of fun! And BONUS...my sister came up for the day! We literally sat in the sun all day drinking and eating. And yes, the drinking started at the early hour of 10AM. Hey, it's 5 o'clock somewhere, right?

 

Day 9: Family Day!

Friday morning the guys went golfing (again!) After that we had tons of family come up...my cousin Brian, his wife and little girl, my Nana and Grampy and two of my cousins. We hungout on the beach, my Dad took all the kids tubing...and of course we ate yummy food!

Day 10: Roadtrip!

Saturday morning we were up early packing the car for our trip home. We had a yummy breakfast and said all of our goodbyes. Kaleb did not want to leave! He said next summer we are staying for 20 days and flying up! 

We left Maine at 9AM. There was so much traffic. We sat in an hour of traffic before the GW Bridge. Then we sat in two hours of traffic in Maryland because of a really bad accident. We finally got to Raleigh at 1AM.

We stayed at the in-laws and woke up to a yummy breakfast. We were back on the road at 9AM Sunday morning and finally pulled into our driveway around noon. Longest trip ever. I'm saving my pennies now for flights next summer!

We had such a great vacation! It went by at just the right speed...not too slow or too fast. We relaxed, ate yummy food and did everything we wanted to. We've already decided that we are going to take this same exact vacation every summer...a little tradition for our family! I'm already looking forward to next year!