origin~aLi_ty: WHAT A DAY!: What A Week+3!! June 6-16, 2014

Let the Adventure Begin!

My mom & dad decided to treat the family to a vacation at Carolina Beach for a week. Adam wasn't able to make it back from Japan due to work. We had a busy, fun, & lovely week, but we sure did miss him & Sophia.

DAY 1:

Packing the car a.k.a. UHAUL up.

Picked up the parents and road tripped for a bout 4 1/2 hours before stopping for dinner at The Sawmill. YUMMY!! Fried Pickles.

And then after a welcomed greeting from my aunt & uncle, it was time to unload the car (up two flights of stairs)...then head to the grocery store and load it back up. (I have never walked so many steps in one day before in my life.)

DAY 2:

But going to bed tired and waking up to this view, was GREAT....

until it was time to go get more miscellaneous items for the week's stay which equaled more stairs.

Mike's and Angie's were all coming in that day.

I chose to stay in the bunk room as it was bigger and had an art table ready for me. Plus it gave my sister and family an area to themselves. Just wish it had thicker walls for those 4AM Brax awakening screams for the first few nights.

Dinner was at my Aunt Susan and Uncle Ken's marina condo which also had a pool some ventured into....for a short time...as Brax was "all done."

And then the 5 other nieces/nephews arrived....and they were excited but it was time for bed.

DAY 3:

BEACH DAY

FAMILY ARM WRESTLING COMPETITION BEFORE DINNER

My Aunt Ellen and Uncle Dan (T.P.O) came from Nebraska along with Jill, Elizabeth, & Paul who are visiting from England for the summer. Joe & Andrew even made it down, so it was a good night for Aunt Susan's lasagna.

DAY 4:

Rainy Morning =

Dunkin Donuts' coffee with cream

Wet Sand

Sand Art

Windy Trip to the Pier

(and a celebrity sighting of Michael Douglas)

(And apparently, I have an admirer from Ethiopia :)

Lunch at Big Daddy's

Crab Cake Sandwich and Sweet Potato Fries

NC Aquarium-Ft. Fisher

And yes, I crawled into the kiddie display for a picture. And no, I didn't get stuck.

Stingrays

Hurricane Wind Machine

Scuba Diver

Jellyfish Artwork - AWESOME!!

Once we got back to the beach, we enjoyed the bigger waves and cooler temps.

At night, we began decorating for the party, nephews crafted & I did some weaving.

DAY 5:

40th Anniversary Party Day

Mike, Kelly, & Dad rode down to get infamous Britt's Donuts

Angie, Wade, Brax & I went running around town picking up supplies for the party before

enjoying 15 minutes of beach time before a brief storm came through.

And then it was party time!!

Middle of the Island Catering brought yummy food: barbeque pork, roast beef, squash casserole, macaroni & cheese, rolls, strawberry spinach salad, and apple crisp. Big Apple Bakery created a replica cake and it was just as delicious.

My brother-in-law was kind enough to do a family photo session.

DAY 6:

Rest & Relaxation

While the rest of the family went over to Wrightsville Beach, I stayed put and read my book "What Remains" and ventured to a local art store. I did regret walking to the stores though as it was quite hot and humid. The walk back wasn't so fun.

The artwork in the gallery was so fun, and inspirational, and awe-inspiring.

And then I got to babysit Super Grover while Angie & Wade celebrated their 4th Anniversary.

And wrapped up the evening with some art with Gina & Brendan

DAY 7:

Sunrise

& Beach

During the day, the rest of the family took a trip to see the USS North Carolina Battleship in Wilmington and swim at a pool.

Grandpa styling Ava's hair as Aiden doesn't seem too impressed.

Kelly heading out to the beach.

FIREWORKS!!

And more photo ops.

DAY 8:

Golf

Drinks

Dinner

Emerson trying not to smile...

Fish Tacos

Honey Moon

DAY 9:

Good-bye Beach, Hello Charlotte

A bite to eat before leaving at Michael's Seafood...

crab cakes on potatoes, shrimp & grits

My folks stayed at the Embassy Suites while in Charlotte.

That night, we visited the new Tupelo Honey Café.

It was all DELICIOUS.

Blueberry Sparkling Cider

blueberry jam & honey on biscuits

I had the steak, mac n' cheese, and asparagus.

Mom had a Shoo'd grilled cheese and tomato bisque.
(Dad ate pickled beet salad, sweet potato fries, & fruit)

DAY 10:

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

After breakfast at the hotel, we ventured uptown to the new Knights Stadium and Romare Bearden Park. It's a nice addition to the Queen City and a relaxing day.