Nelson Beach Trip 2011

Last week we had our annual Nelson beach vacation - and it was so much fun! We got there Wedensday evening with Chad's mom, unpacked, ate some dinner and headed down to the beach.

We were going to just get our feet wet...I think Drew might of well of just jumped in! He was soaked!

Then we woke up early on Thursday and got right to it! We spent LOTS of time on the beach, at the pool, on the balcony - completely taking advantage of our awesome hotel. Grant, Sherry and Olivia arrived at lunchtime and then joined in on the fun.

Here's a great family shot on the beach!

The undertoe was pretty bad and Emma kept falling down!


The guys dug a big hole and took turns putting the kids in it!

Emma's spikey hair blew in the wind. It was actually REALLY windy the whole time we were there. You couldn't set anything down w/o it blowing away!

Here's the kids ready to head down to the beach for some more fun!

Here's Olivia and Drew in their jammies, taking a break from hide n' seek with their dads to sit with Grandmom.

Emma and Chad swimming in the pool.

Emma liked running in the baby pool with her float.

Such an "Emma" face. Every time an airplane or helicopter went by (like, every 5 minutes), she'd point and say "uh oh."

Here's everyone playing in the sand.

Drew on the balcony w/ a giant CHEESE!

Here's Emma on the beach figuring out what this sand-stuff is!




Emma kept trying to do headstands in the water!!

LOVING the ocean!

Emma crawled over my sunburnt legs and got sand all over me! Ouch!

Olivia and Drew played with their watering cans every time we went to the pool. They tried to fill the dumptruck with water, but it kept rolling away with the wind.

Here's Emma sporting the ladybug suit at the beach!

Chad took a pretty neat mother-daughter picture. I really like this one!

We played putt putt on our last full day there. Drew had a few impressive shots! The teenage guys ahead of us gave him high fives and you could see his chest puff out a little - he was so proud!

After putt putt and dinner, everyone went down to gather seashells. I hung out with Susan and Emma in the room - and I took a picture of them.

After we checked out on Sunday, we headed to Ripley's Aquarium before going on home. Here's the guys trying to pet some rays.

And here's a group shot.

Emma liked splashing in the water but didn't touch any sealife.


And here's my favorite picture from the entire vacation! Drew and Olivia are in the bubble on the bottom, looking up at the SHARK swimming over their head!!

Thank you SO MUCH Susan for taking us all on such an awesome vacation!! We had a wonderful time!

4th of July

We went to the Lowe's YMCA 4th of July Celebration to watch fireworks. They had a huge festival going on beforehand. Here's Drew climbing on one of the many bouncehouses he went on. He didn't know how to use his feet on the steps, so I'm pretty sure he pulled himself all the way up there with just his arms!

Here's the kids hanging out before fireworks. Emma actually snuggled up with Chad as soon as the fireworks started. I think she was a little scared at first...but ended up snoozing away. Drew loved it though!

On Monday, July 4th, we went to Chad's parents' house to feed their cat since they were out in Montana. We made a day trip out of it and headed up to Boone to have a picnic in the mountains. We found our spot at the park and started eating our lunch...and then the thunder started! Here's Emma enjoying her first Capri Sun!


And it's not a picnic w/o some fresh fruit! Here's Drew enjoying his watermelon!

After a quick lunch, Drew got to put his feet in the water...and then it POURED!!

Luckily I'd brought extra clothes for the kids in case we actually let them "swim" in the creek. We were all soaked by the time we gathered all our stuff (blanket, huge cooler, 2 folding chairs, bag of food, etc.) and the kids and hopped from stone to stone across the creek and ran to our car. We called it a day and have decided to try again some other time!!