Vaca to N.C

May 21-30th
We took a trip to lovely Hampstead, N.C. to visit the Davis family one last time befo-re they moved back to Ohio. Grandma and Grandpa Reinhart along with Auntie Em and Uncle Kevin joined us and we all stayed in a Beach House in Surf City on Topsail Island. The beach was empty, the sand was clean and soft, the water was warm and clear, our rental house was nice and close to the beach. I would have to say hands down it was the best vacation ever. Everyone had a good time and got to do the things and activities they want on their vacation. Grandma got to take long walks on the beach every morning,play in the sand with Nathan and hold little Finn.



Grandpa got to fly a kite on the beach and eat a Chicago Dog from “Hot Diggity Dog’s” hot dog stand.


and be silly with Nathan.


Daddy got to drive Go-Carts with Mommy.

and Surf with Kevin


Mommy got to go shopping with Grandma and catch up with Auntie Em and Maggie

and of course hang with her favorite little man on the beach.



Auntie Em got to work on her tan and go shopping.


Uncle Kevin got to surf and play bladder ball on the beach.



Maggie got to take little Finn to the beach for the first time


While we were in N.C we stopped by the Wilmington Children's Muesuem. There were several exhibits but Nathan's favorite was the grocery store. He quickly filled up his shopping cart with apples and bananas then over to the Cheez-its! He wanted me to open the box so he could eat a few. Fortunately i had some Cheez-its in the diaper bag...crisis averted!



Another favorite place in Surf City is "Luna Pops". We of course had to stop in and get some.


Nathan had to taste everyone’s Luna pop to see which one was his favorite.


All over the beach were these curious little crabs that would emerge from a hole on the beach and then scamper across the sand only to disapear in another hole. Well, we finally captured one in our pink bucket. Nathan didn't know what to think about this funny little crab.



Nathan liked the sand trucks but liked stepping on and smashing them more.




Our rental house had a great view of the ocean as there was an empty lot across the 2 lane street. Most of our free time while we were back at the house was spent on the balcony looking out at the waves. So a typical vaca day would start with Nathan waking up at 7am or earlier and wanting to go upstairs and out to the balcony to see the beach. Once we were out on the balcony, Nathan would point out to the beach and I would tell him “that is the beach” and then he would point to his chest a few times and then back out to the beach. Most mornings we were at the beach by 8am and one morning we were out there at 7am!!! We would stay at the beach in the morning playing in the sand and running into the waves until about 11am and then we would come back to the house clean up, eat lunch, and take a nap until 2 or 3pm and then go back out to the beach until 6pm, come back to the house, eat dinner, get Nathan ready and put him to bed by 8pm and then everyone would hang out on the balcony until 10 or 11pm before going to bed. Sounds like a perfect day if you ask me. Here are some more cute pic of Nathan and the beach!

Nathan is already to hit the beach!

Nathan was not scared of the waves and in fact would laugh and squeal everytime he got wet.


Nathan loved getting his feet and hands wet and sandy.

Daddy was writing Nathan's name in the sand and Nathan tried to do it too.

Nathan really enjoyed crawling in the giant hole that Daddy dug with the sand shovel.


Nathan had to to drink his apple juice in the beach chair like the adults

Nathan was trying to skip rocks across the water just like Daddy. He would find a perfect rock and then run up to the water with the rock behind his back and then thros it as hard as he could...adorable!

Nathan sticks out his tongue when he is concentrating



Everyone had a great time at the Beach!

Water Fountains

So the rain stopped for 1 day and it was hot and sunny after work, so Katie and her boys (Riley and Sully) and Nathan, Nick, and I went to the Greene to the Water Fountains. It was nice because the fountains are outside and it is free entertainment for children and parents. It was not to crowded, so we ate a picnic dinner and then let the boys go play in the fountains. Riley was an old pro and got right in the mix of things, while Nathan and Sully were a little more timid.

Nathan saw Riley splashing and jumping up and down in the puddles and wanted to try too. Nathan tries to jump but can’t quite get air between the ground and his feet.


Nathan eventually worked up enough courage to walk up to one of the geysers from the water fountain and got completely drenched. He turned around with a shocked look on his face. We didn’t know if Nathan was going to burst into tears or start laughing. Fortunately for us, it was the later and he loved it! He went back in to get soaked a few more times. Here are some pictures of the boys being boys.

Mother's Day

Nathan and Daddy let mommy sleep in for Mother’s Day and then made pancakes and bacon for breakfast. Daddy and Nathan also gave me charms that spelled “MOM” for my Pandora bracelet. Afterwards we went outside to play and Nathan picked a dandelion and gave it to me. That dandelion was by far the best Mother’s day gift ever. Later that day I got to eat at my favorite restaurant “PF Changs” for dinner. A good day was had by all, especially this mommy on Mother’s Day.

Wet Spring

It has been a very wet spring with almost 2 weeks of straight rain. Well, the rain hasn’t stopped Nathan from wanting to play outside so we bundle him up and send him out. Here are some pictures of Nathan playing in the rain.

Easter 2011

Nathan got to celebrate Easter with his favorite little cousin Fiona. The Easter Bunny brought them lots of goodies to eat and they hunted for Easter Eggs.



Nathan also got an awesome Cozy Coop car with a trailer from the Easter Bunny. Nathan especially liked sitting in the trailer while I pushed him around.



Later that day we went to Shoop Park just the 3 of us and had the entire park to ourselves.
Nathan went up and down the slides,
through the tunnels,

and found the biggest stick he could carry.


Daddy and Nathan spun round and round laughing the entire time. When Nick set Nathan down on the ground he stumbled a little bit because he was dizzy. We thought he was done but he ran to the spinner and started turning around in circles himself, so he must have liked it. It was a great day and having the park to ourselves made it even better.