. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We just got back from visiting Stephanie, Bill and their sweet Sophia at Holden Beach, NC.It was so wonderful to see them, as it has been way too long since our last visit.
Each year in June, Steph's entire family gathers for a week at the beach. The twelve of them have been going to Holden Beach - at the same perfect beach house - for over 20 years.
I was lucky enough to spend the day with the fabulousHylan clan last year and was thrilled to be invited back. This time Lee as able to come with Amelia and me. We made a weekend out of it, staying in Myrtle Beach and spending Saturday and Sunday with Steph and company.
Amelia and Sophia, Steph's little girl, share the same birthday - March 14 - one year apart. I can hardly remember Amelia at Sophia's age... boy, how time flies! Sophia is such a cutie. She kept us all laughing with her sweet noises and desire to eat sand.
Our surfer girl got a new "surfboard" this weekend. You may think it's a boogie board, but to her, it's the real deal. She's just starting to catch some waves - soon she'll be hang-tening!
This is Stephanie and Bill's last vacation before moving up North - way North to Alaska. Bill is being stationed in Fairbanks this August. They'll live there for a year before coming back down to the lower-48 when they'll move to Alabama. Talk about extremes!
It will be hard to have Steph so far away, but it does provide a great excuse to go to a state I've always wanted to visit.
Topsail Island was TOP fun! Our friends the Neals recently invited us to join their wonderful family for a few days at the beach. They had rented a house right on the ocean with a view that couldn't be beat. The fun started from the minute we got there Wednesday night and didn't end until the second we left Sunday afternoon.
The girls, Amelia and Sarah, were early risers - much to the dismay of their parents. There was no doubting that they wanted to get as much beach time in their day as possible!
After early breakfasts (ask Chef Lee about his yummy egg & bacon sandwiches!) the dads rushed out to stake our claim on waterfront... tent, umbrellas, chairs, towels, and monster sand piles... the Neal/Brinson group knew how to make their presence known. You should have seen the massive sand mountains Chris and Lee created. The girls couldn't have been happier climbing up and sliding down. Between digging, wave jumping, more digging, shell finding, swimming, even more digging, and crab watching, our little Wahinees kept themselves mighty busy. Don't let the pictures fool you - there were SMILES on their faces all day long!
When we weren't on the beach, we could be found at the local putt-putt testing our skills, sampling the local treats, and enjoying delicious meals thanks to our personal chef Catherine. For a 7-month pregnant gal, she never stops - the Engergizer bunny has nothing on her!
One evening saw an action-packed, highly competitive round of Taboo... the winner is still being determined. A dispute was filed by the Brinsons against the Neals for delay of game. Something about being tired due to an early-rising toddler and a pregnant wife was offered as an excuse... we're not buying it! Rematch!
All-in-all, it was the perfect beach weekend. The girls got along famously, the adults actually relaxed, the weather was beautiful... no one wanted it to come to an end. Thanks Neals for including us on your beach adventure. We had a blast! MermaidsSurfer GirlPutt-Putt Dancers
To see more photos from our beach adventure, click the link below...
"Every couple should have a signature party." - Tanya Freeman. The Freemans have fabulous annual Derby party. I've been going for ten years now, but it's been around much longer. .. We all get dressed up in our Derby finest - including hats, sample traditional Derby treats, and cheer on the ponies. The party has changed over the years as our families have all grown, but the event still remains a highlight of the year. . While we Brinsons are still searching for our "signature party," the Linkes have found theirs! This past weekend Dean and Leah held their second annual Corn Hole Tournament. A bunch of us gathered at Leah's Dad's home in Pittsboro for an afternoon of grilling, competing, and socializing. So much fun! .
Corn hole is bean bag toss game that you play in teams of two. Thankfully, it was a double-elimination tournament. My poor partner Keith - he had the misfortune of getting paired with a complete novice, me! While I had a few good practice tosses, I was no match for our competition. Like putting, you really need to learn the "touch" of your toss. I might find mine after about a 1,000 more tosses.
While the adults tossed bean bags, the kids played. Amelia couldn't have been happier to have partnered up with Shelby - one of her favorite friends. Much to their delight, Leah had sidewalk chalk waiting for them. As you can tell from these pictures, the girls had a ball!
Stay tuned for updates on whether we ever find our signature party... for now, it's still missing...
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Each year in June, Steph's entire family gathers for a week at the beach. The twelve of them have been going to Holden Beach - at the same perfect beach house - for over 20 years.
Amelia and Sophia, Steph's little girl, share the same birthday - March 14 - one year apart. I can hardly remember Amelia at Sophia's age... boy, how time flies! Sophia is such a cutie. She kept us all laughing with her sweet noises and desire to eat sand.
Our surfer girl got a new "surfboard" this weekend. You may think it's a boogie board, but to her, it's the real deal. She's just starting to catch some waves - soon she'll be hang-tening!
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