The Best Decision I Ever Made

Happy Anniversary Shan!

Seven years today!

Carolina Beach

We made it to the beach for a few days while we were in NC. I'm glad mom could come with us even though she was a little under the weather.

Taking it easy....

Chasing the birds - who I could have sworn were going to just carry Nora away whenever she had snacks out. Daniel was a good big brother and would chase them away from her.

At the doughnut shop in the morning with Grandma.

Both the kids LOVED the pool.

Nora running - which I think is so funny! It's like she propels herself by swinging that one arm back and forth as she runs.

Blue eyed cuties

There was a little fair going on next to the hotel. Nora wanted to go on ALL of the rides. She loved it.

Daniel and Daddy on a FAST ride.

Watching fireworks from the balcony: which were being set off right in front of our hotel by the water.

Picking Strawberries

My dear friend Ashley let us come pick strawberries while we were in town. Her husbands family has a strawberry farm (www.ruddfarm.com) and even though the strawberries were a little out of season already we still found plenty. The kids had so much fun - especially Nora who loves "baabees." Of course it was great to see Ashley who I don't get to see nearly enough and have known since elementary school!

Doughnuts

A trip to Krispy Kreme doughnuts which first started in Winston Salem, NC. The kids had fun watching the fresh hot doughnuts come down the assembly line. We always loved doing that when we were kids.

Grandma and the grand kids

Annie and Maya

Adorable Henry

Nora wasn't sure how to go about tackling her doughnut. Licking seemed like a good option.

They brought cute little mini ice cream cones out for everyone.

Grandma and the kids

NC Fun

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

We're always good for a trip to one of our fav's for ice cream - Yum, Yum's!

Nora found Grandma's jewelry all by herself! She was in heaven! Every time she was being a little too quiet we knew she was probably getting into the jewelry again.


She could hardly hold her arm up it was so weighed down with bracelet's.

We ran into this funny dog a few times in Greensboro. We happened to pull behind him at the gas station this time. The kids laughed so hard. I think the dogs name is Max. He rides around in this side car wearing sunglasses.

Henry

Nora and Henry hadn't seen each other since they were 4 months old! They got along great.

Our good friend Jill Locke gave us a private concert. We love to hear her play the organ. She is so talented. She let the kids watch her feet and push some buttons which they thought was pretty neat.

My niece Annie loves to cook too. We made dinner together one night.

Good job Annie! (Daniel just popped in this picture.)

Home to North Carolina

We were able to go to North Carolina to visit my Mom for a little bit. My sister Emily was able to come at the same time with her kids from Kentucky so we were able to see them as well. It's never quite enough time but it was still great.

Welcome to North Carolina....the humidity greets you as soon as you walk out the door. Shannon's glasses kept fogging up when he went outside.

Shannon with little Henry. They quite liked each other.

Slip-n-slide

The Crew: Nora, Maya, Daniel, Annie, Henry, and Ruth

Nora and Maya

At the park

Nora's first real pig tails!

Poor Nora has admired others hair for quite some time. She has a million hair bows but didn't have much hair to put them in. Finally she has enough hair to barely make some pig tails. She was pretty proud and pretty cute.