Fourth of July Week

July was our first dose of summer at home after all the fun we had traveling in June, but the first week was anything but ordinary as it included July 4th. Thanks to the holiday, on Tuesday we got to visit with one of my beloved UVA s'women, Emily TC and the Clark family, who were driving through Durham on the way to GA/AL. We convened at Foster's Market, got to meet the adorable Sammy, and enjoyed a delicious breakfast.

Sammy & Meghan got along great!

Wednesday morning we got together with Kierstin and Kelsey for a play date at Kids Together park and lunch out at Chipotle. 

Then things got a little crazy with a pre-holiday twirl off the night before the 4th.

July 4th! Meghan celebrated with patriotic pigtails which she promptly ripped out after the photos.

We headed to the elementary school for the annual parade and enjoyed Kona Ice afterwards.

Sadly no pictures were taken at our cookout that night, but a good time was had by all (or at the very least by me).

Weekend at Wrightsville Beach (June 28 - 30)

Just like that we were home from our respective vacations (NYC & Southampton posts coming soon) with the summer stretched out in front of us. 

The kids loved the props that came from funk hour at Kate & Jay's wedding.

We spent some time at the local parks Wednesday and Thursday before we heading out on another adventure Friday. Meghan had fun on the new-age see saw. 

Friday afternoon we traveled down to Wrightsville Beach for a weekend at the Blockade Runner with Su-su & Gramby. Guess they just didn't get enough of the kids last week. Despite a rain shower Saturday afternoon and pretty rough weather Sunday morning, we managed to get in our fair share of beach time.

 Meghan explored the Blockade Runner gift shop.

Saturday morning after breakfast Brec & Clara took some putting practice.

Out on the beach for some Saturday fun. Jack's old favorite toy makes an appearance.

Meghan looks on, only slightly frozen

Fine, I'll say 'cheese'.

Loving the water...

and the scenic view!

Headed in after a great morning on the beach with only slightly purple lips.

Dinner at the Oceanic

On the walk home from dinner back to the hotel room

Just a still frame shot of rather than the video taken of Meghan above but the fun that he's having exudes off the page.

Snug as three bugs in a rug!

Week with Gramby & Su-su (June 17 - 24)

Let the catch-up commence...

Only a few days into our summer vacation and our first big event was upon us. Su-su & Gramby graciously agreed to keep the children for us for almost a week while we ventured out on our own for the first time since our trip to Hawaii, first for a couple of days in New York city followed by several in Southhampton for Jay & Kate's wedding. On Monday night before we left, we kicked back and let the grandparents take over bedtime, we figured they wanted to practice before we left them to it on their own. 

Clearly things were out-of-control very quickly after our departure on Tuesday.

Wednesday everyone woke up in high spirits, and Meghan played a tune on the harmonica.

Then there was a trip to Tuckahoe for a little scooting on the blacktop. I've been told many times since about the puddles through which they rode.

After scooting there's always time for the jungle gym.

Thursday included a trip to the mall to ride the train, followed by lunch at the food court

Someone's ready to eat dinner!

Tasty watermelon

Playing ball in the front yard.

Everyone loves going to the pool, but no one loves the prep for it.

Hmm, who put on this helmet?

Trying on Su-su's visor

Someone seems to have gotten a Nuk out of the crib and is showing off her conquest.

A little light tee-pee reading before bed.

Meghan joins in the fun.

Maybe a tea party added in the mix too?

  Uh-oh, someone wasn't happy to leave the tee-pee for the confines of the crib.

She looks excited that Mommy & Daddy are returning today!

Thanks to Su-su & Gramby for allowing us to have fun in the Hamptons while they showed the kids a grand time in Richmond.

Beach Photo Shoot

Here it is August 17th, and I'm two months behind in blog posts. Of course rather than talk about what was going on at the end of June, I'd prefer to report on our most recent trip to Emerald Isle! So as a compromise, I'll post a just one series of pictures from the beach with a promise to catch up to the full entry soon.

This began as an impromptu after dinner beach outing that morphed into a photo shoot when the kids came up the walkway together. Meghan sat down first, and the others followed.

The perfect angel for the camera until her big brother and sister pile in.

And the fun begins...

Wait, what? You wanted to take our picture? With us looking at the camera?

Jack takes off.

Now he's back with a cute smile, and Meghan hits the road.

Unfortunately Clara picks this time to veer from her picture perfect smile to a "silly face".

A rare shot of the little ones smiling with Clara out of sorts.

Gah! I tried to explain to her that she always had to be on the ready with a smile because it's so rare to get the other two looking in the same direction, let alone smiling.

A keeper!

And Jack's bored.

Several cute ones in a row until Jack decides that he absolutely must scratch his head.

Still scratching, but now things start to disenegrate.

Meghan decides she wants the step to herself. "No, Jack!"

She's still shoving which the other two find hilarious.

Another winner.

Abandon ship!

Clara pausing for a few single subject pictures.

Back at it, Meghan tries to regain her spot.

Jack's patented "cheese" and look away from the camera.

Phew, that's all folks!