Life is Better at the Beach

You know those days that you look forward to for a really long time, but when they arrive they don't really live up to your expectations? Tuesday at the beach was NOT one of those days! Thank goodness!

Sunday in Hilton Head

Sunday was one of my favorite days of the week we were in Hilton Head. There's just something wonderful about a day dedicated to relaxing and recharging that fits in even better on a kick back island vacation. I felt like it was even easier here than it is at home to keep the Sabbath Day holy.

Hilton Head Bound

Sometimes you just need a beach trip. We've had a pretty hectic year thus far. Cam has traveled quite a bit. The kids and I have had a lot of adventures here in North Carolina, too. It's been fine -- fun even -- but certainly stressful. I craved a week away with the whole family. Not just away, but away at an awesome beach location. After attempting to plan a beach trip a few times with nothing feeling right, Cameron endorsed the trip, and I finally managed to pick a time and location that felt perfect. We were going on our beach trip!

Spring Break Reunions

Sometimes you just need to drive and drive to see a friend you haven't seen in awhile. Sometimes it's totally worth every minute in the car, and every dollar for gas and tolls. I'm glad that sometimes came true for me during Spring Break!

Wrightsville Beach Getaway

I have been wanting to go to the beach since... like... the last time we left the beach. Usually I'm a winter weather kind of girl. I like snuggling by a fire while it's snowy and cold outside. This year has been different though. The cold has been mostly an annoyance, and I've been trying to plan a beach trip to cheer myself up. Thus far I hadn't been able to make it happen for one reason or another. However, the other day, all that changed.

Christmas Eve Traditions

In a typical year, the Christmas Season lasts for about a month. It "officially" starts the day after Thanksgiving, and usually builds up until Christmas Day. Sometimes people celebrate a bit here and there until New Years Day. For me, the excitement builds and builds and peaks on Christmas Eve.

Nativity Tradition

One of the common traditions for the Christmas season is to do a reenactment of the Nativity scene. There's always Mary, Joseph, wise men, shepherds, the inn keeper, baby Jesus, a donkey, sheep, angels, and whatever else we can think of until we run out of people. I actually love doing the nativity reenactments. Even though it's the same story year after year, no two are ever the same.

The Awesome that is Martial Arts

"Wax on. Wax off." I'm pretty sure anyone who is anyone can identify that quote without much effort. This is especially true for anyone over the age of 30. That is because we come from the Karate Kid era. That's the era of thinking martial arts was our ticket to AWESOME. I was never able to persuade my parents to enroll me in a class. I guess I was just lucky that, regardless of this fact, I still turned out AWESOME.

The Christmas Card Attempt

Kingston is quite the character. Getting a nice picture of the kids to send out with our Christmas cards was quite the challenge this year.

Slightly Silly

Borderline Evil

Definitely wicked

Frightfully jovial

Fully Silly

It all worked out in the end. I sure have some cute kids. A few funny faces just adds to the enjoyment. It also brought on some laughs. What could be more Merry Christmas than that?

The Possibilities are Endless

There's something magical about playing dress up when you're a child. It's not just clothing. It's a whole experience. You put on a wizard's robe from Harry Potter, and you are IN that story. You ARE at Hogwarts!