Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Anniversary Trip

Okay, I think it's time to blog about this anniversary trip that Stephen and I took, considering it was the last weekend of August!

We wanted to go somewhere kind of close - we didn't have time for another Vegas trip or anywhere else like that (we would love to venture to Alaska or Colorado some day) so we settled for Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach. It would be our first time in three years going to the beach without children!

As we were headed toward the coast, Stephen pointed out that we were going to drive right past Lake Waccamaw - home of Camp Anchorage. Stephen and our youth group went to this camp last year and our church became fast friends with the leaders and workers of the camp. So when he suggested that we stop in and see everyone, I was so excited!


Unfortunately, everyone had left the camp to head to Wilmington for the weekend - right where we were going! We still walked around all the buildings of the camp and Stephen gave me a tour of everything. It's beautiful out there!


We got to the beach and basically headed right into downtown Wilmington. It was a Friday night so as you can imagine it was quite busy. We put our names on the list of a restaurant and then just walked the streets. There was a live band playing for free by the water so we just sat out there and listened for a while. It was nice not to be on any time constraints!

Then we got buzzed that our table was ready, so we headed back to the restaurant - Front Street Brewery.

The food was amazing.


As we walked back to our car, we passed this chain link fence that had tons and tons of keys hanging from it. Okay Wilmie friends - what's up with this!? It was kind of creepy...


 The next day we spent just a few short hours at the beach. It was beautiful weather and it was so nice being there just the two of us. I saw several other families there, running after their children, comforting them when they got covered in sand or scared by the waves... brought me back to July when we were at the beach with our kids (and a lot of family there to help!) and I definitely prefer it just the two of us at this point in our lives!!

After the beach we were off again, trying every restaurant possible before we had to leave! (Isn't that the point of vacation!?)

We got to this little pizzeria called Slice of Life. Their food was delicious!! Thank goodness for GPS for finding local restaurants. We were lucky to find this place!


 Of course it wasn't long before I was hungry again! But Stephen wasn't, so I was able to satisfy my sweet tooth at The Fuzzy Peach, which is a frozen yogurt joint. So good!!


 And on to the putt putt course! At this point, Stephen has no idea how bad he's going to lose...


I am feeling really confident...


SPIDER!!  This course had a "jungle" theme and I thought this was a decoration! This spider was as big as my hand and it was ALIVE and hanging over our HEADS. Not cool, spider, not cool.


Did a little graffiti action, reminding me of our high school days.


We ran into the mall when it started storming (also we were running out of places to go). We actually did leave with a couple of purchases. Stephen got a new wedding ring and I got a couple of sauces that are sold exclusively at Kitchen Collection. I know, we are so wild and crazy.

I saw this being sold at Kitchen Collection and literally shrieked in delight! I told Stephen this proves he's not the only man who has these issues. Hahaha! (I didn't buy it, but trust me, there are days I wish I had!)


 Okay, dinner time! We wanted some seafood so we headed to Surfs, a place we had passed a couple of times throughout the day. Man, oh man, am I glad we ate here! They had some incredible chili and amaaaazing shrimp, flounder, and onion rings. Not only that but they had some awesome live music going and because they weren't busy, our waitress even hung around our table a bit and chatted with us. It was such a laid-back restaurant. It was delicious and so much fun


Okay, so not even ONE picture of the happy couple! I can't believe it! Actually, I can. I love being in front of AND behind the camera, but Stephen would much rather be behind! I promise we were on this trip together! We loved every second of it. It is so rejuvenating to have even a short time without children.

We were very blessed that Stephen's mom and sister came all the way from Georgia to help out with the kids! So we knew they were in very capable hands and we I didn't worry about them for one second!

I'm already looking forward to our next trip together... whenever it may be!!

Here's to 7 wonderful years together, and looking forward to the next 70, if God will bless us with that many!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Old Pictures

Came across Bri's school pictures from last year. What a cutie! Actually I think we did buy some of these. I need to make copies of them for the grandparents...


 Mom showed me these pictures last week to prove how much our kids look like me sometimes:

(I'm on the left)


 Again on the left:


 Again on the left: (It's my good side)


 And my favorite: (I'm in the overalls and striped shirt) vs. Hunter


Okay, that's not the best picture that shows the resemblance between us but I still think he really favors me! Yay!


Thursday, September 27, 2012

2 Cute Videos

This first video is a mere 17 seconds long and is just typical Brianna.


 


This one is less than a minute long. You may have seen me post this one on Facebook already. Kaleb laughing!


sdf

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Local Business: Paint Store

In August, my nephew Kaleb turned one. We were struggling with what to buy him that would be unique and something he would enjoy for a long time.

So you can certainly imagine my excitement when I came across this trunk at a yard sale:


 I know, I know, doesn't look like much. But I knew he needed a toy chest and this chest was super sturdy and made from really good wood. I even got my sister's opinion because she is the expert in my opinion! She was very impressed with my purchase so I was very happy.

But then... I knew I wanted to paint it blue because they have a nautical-theme going on in their house. But I am not a painter. I didn't know how much to get, what kind, what color, NOTHING. So I turned to another expert - Joe at Sandhills Paint. I showed him a picture of the chest and explained where I was going with this project. He helped me pick out the perfect color and primer, and helped me understand what type of paint I needed and everything.

Priming:


 Finished: Mariner Blue!


A little seashore action going on and scripture - Matthew 8:23-27 - "And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!"



I am completely happy with the outcome of this "trash to treasure" project. It's filled with toys at Kaleb's house now, and I hope he'll be able to enjoy it for several years!

Next project for us from Sandhills Paint: our master bathroom! I'm excited!

Sandhills Paint Center
177A Pinehurst Avenue
Southern Pines, NC 28387

910-692-7000

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Play Date at the Park

A few weeks ago, our friends Stephanie and Daniel were just getting back into town, and Stephanie called out everyone for a play date at the best park in our town. Stephen was working so I jumped at the chance to take the kids for some much-needed socializing! For me, of course, not for them! We had a blast!


Brianna perfected this move by practicing at home for the past two years:


Cleaning off the fence... they picked off pinestraw one piece at a time. These are not my genes.


Hunter = not shy.


Older kids = not impressed.