Family Fun added to the To-Do List

Thanks to my hubby - the man who keeps me balanced - the ying to my yang - we had a night of impromptu family Christmas fun. We started with the light display at the James Center and finished with pizza at Bottoms Up. It was random and unplanned (totally outside of my normal) and WONDERFUL! This night turned an average day in to a memorable experience for all 4 of us. 

Merry Christmas 2015

Christmas Eve 2015

All Dressed for Church

Making Reindeer Food

 Making Ornaments

 Ready for Santa

The B-B-Beach

My new favorite picture. These small moments I simply love.

Sand between my toes and sun on my nose :) We were all happy for a short vacation to the B-B-Beach, aka Avon, NC. On the first day we took the kids over to play at in the Sound. It was PERFECT for our little explorers. They could run, splash and play all they wanted and we just sat back and enjoyed the view. 

It is always such a special treat to see all of our "Family By Choice". The kids have all grown up so much this past year. It was a trip to see them all together toddling around. Look forward to Melissa & Jakes new little one joining the mix next year. Now that I'm looking back on the 4 days, I did a terrible job taking pictures! I sure hope Liz and Don got some good shots to remember this year by. The only complaint I have is that there just aren't enough hours in the day to really catch up. With the little ones at the ages they are it is hard to carry on much of a conversation between the "Mommy!" requests and "get back here" moments… so to this point - to all that I love you all and am so grateful that we got to see each of you this year. Thank you Mom and Dad for the cottage and thank you to the whole Ackert crew for the hospitality :) Until next year!

(side bar moment to follow this post: Ava and the Door Knob)

Catch Me If You Can

Wyatt and Ava got brand new fishing poles for the cottage. Down to the dock we went. They did good watching their bobbers and waiting for a bite. It only took a moment for Ava to get one on. Her first fish! She helped reel it in and was happy to see the "fishy", but don't ask her to hold it!  

"Fishy"

Ava's First Fish!

Back to waiting and enjoying the moment, then suddenly Wyatt's pole flew from his hands. It shot straight out in to the creek and quickly disappeared. Shocking, stunned and relatively speechless… Mom and I couldn't help but burst out in laughter, however poor Wy Guy just looked confused. He was so happy he'd caught a fish and so sad that the fish caught the pole. Then the bobber popped up in the middle of the creek. Two young boys from the cottage across the way just so happened to be tooling around on their dock. Mariner hollered over to them for help and before we knew it the boys had jumped in their kayak and paddled after the bobber. By the time they finally chased it down they were almost to us. One of them grabbed the bobber and pulled up the fish. The pole thief was an 8 inch croaker and as he made his sound Wyatt decided he should be called a "tooting fish"! At the other end of the line we found the fishing pole! It was a little muddy but still in good shape. At the end of our inaugural fishing trip both kids had a catch and we got a good laugh. Later that night Wyatt recounted the tale to Daddy and Grady... Now he has his very own fish tale! Funny how that 8 inch clepto is now a giant force to be reckoned with, ask Wy Guy, he'll tell you!

Wyatt's face when the pole took off!

Spring Visit with the Fam!

On Mother's Day weekend we had the PA fam come for a visit. Deb & Al were able to get the condo again for the week and the rest stayed with us. Saturday was spent hanging out at our house. The boys chopped down some trees and planted me a Mother's Day surprise; a beautiful new cherry tree for the front yard! The kids had fun playing in the rain and that evening after the little ones all went to bed the adults had an epic time around the dinning room table. The conversation was flowing almost as easy as the wine… and the only thing I really remember is "HANESSSS!!!!"

Sunday we had a really nice Mother's Day brunch. It was so nice to have both our mothers there to celebrate with. Later in the evening we got to visit Deb's condo and swim in the amazing pool there. It was like a theme park!

All the helping hands.

My new tree and attempt at a nice group picture… maybe next time!

The following week I headed to Nashville for a business trip while the kiddos got to stay and play with Gramma, Aunt Jackie, Cameron and Callie. I know they had so much fun! Friday Wyatt got to go back to PA with Gramma for a special trip to Sesame Place with the other cousins. Ava stayed home with me and I have to say it was really nice to have her one on one for a little bit. But believe me I sure was happy when Wy Guy returned home!

I LOVE OUR FAMILY & THE TIME WE SPEND TOGETHER!!!