Family Pictures

While at the beach for Lanny's birthday, we took an opportunity to take some family pictures on these beautiful NC beaches.  Ocean Isle is a beautiful place.  We think these pictures caught the essence of our happy family!

Cousin Lanny's 4th Birthday was a "bowl" of fun!

So for Lanny's 4th birthday, he wanted to go to one of his favorite places with all of his family...THE BEACH!  They have been spending even more time at the beach this Summer since buying a beach house, and the whole family joined them for a fun weekend.  Another of Lanny's favorite past times is to go bowling at Planet Fun while he is at the beach.  The kids really enjoyed bowling together and playing lots of games.

Ready for the party.

The big boys have their balls and are ready to bowl. 

Reade is having some trouble picking his ball.

Cousins Lanny, Lilly, Evan, and Reade are all ready for the games to begin.

Mommy helps Evan on his first shot.

Lanny rolls his first ball and hopes for a strike!

The birthday boy waiting for his pizza.

Emma's pizza has to be just right.

Lanny and his "spicy" drink.

Lanny's cute bowling cake.

Singing the birthday song.

Making wishes!

Evan had to have a green hat...his favorite color!

Lots of Star Wars toys for the birthday boy!

Cute bowling treat bags.

A funny Emma face...what a drama queen!

30th Birthday Celebration!

While I didn't have the big 30th birthday party that I thought I might have, I did spend it with the two people who mean the most to me...my babies!  I love my sweet boys!  They really made my birthday special.  We spent my actual birthday at the beach since it was on Labor Day weekend, but once we got home, Eddie and Evan surprised me one night with a sweet chocolate cake with raspberries on top that they made especially for me.  I know, I am so lucky!  They also had some beautiful flowers for me to cheer me up since I had experienced quite a shock the day before with the loss of my little doggie, Jingles.  I am still sad about that, but he stayed with me so long that I really can't complain.  He is at rest in his own little back yard with a sweet little memorial stone reminding us of him everyday. 

Mommy's special birthday cupcakes at the beach.  Daddy forgot to bring matches to light the candles.  :-(

Chef Evan and the cake.

Showing off his masterpiece.

Helping Mommy blow out her candles.  What more could she wish for?

Mommy with her beautiful flowers.

Labor Day Beach Trip

We desperately needed this one last Summer trip together before the hectic chaos of school and work began again...and it was a great way to celebrate Mommy's big 30th!  We had a great time in a fabulous resort in Myrtle Beach with a large indoor waterpark.  Evan went down the waterslide with a little coaxing from Mommy! 

Our beautiful beach bum.

Trying out the water with Daddy.

What a gorgeous face!

Snack time.

Writing his name on the beach.

Not bad for a 3 year old.

Playing with Mommy.

He left me on the waterslide and decided at the last minute to go down by himself.  I was scared he would get scared at the end because the water got a little deep so I rushed down behind him.  He was just fine without me!

PUTT PUTT WITH FRIENDS

We met our friends and next door neighbors for a fun night of dinner, putt-putt, and ice cream.

Evan played like such a big boy and finished the game.  I am pretty sure he beat Mommy.

Sitting patiently with Mrs. Kristin.

Mr. Eddie (or Uncle Eddie as Evan called him) was very gracious in letting his wife and son beat him.

Mommy did surprisingly better than usual.

Evan and his "big brother" Zachary

Time for a cool sweet treat!

I just love his sweet expression here.

Zachary enjoyed his big cone.

Of course the adults had to have some sweet treats too!

Evan goes for a horseback ride.  This adorable ice cream parlor was chock full of old timey play things.  My favorite was the old carnival game where the men squeezed the handle to see how "hot" they were!  ;-)

The boys ridin' together!

Mommy and Evan playing in the water.

Evan finally got brave enough to let go and play a little on his own.

MORE FUN WITH FRIENDS

Evan meets Superman...and his sidekick, a rather large parrot.

Mommy's old high school friend, Jeanne, and her little man, Brighton. 

Evan rides Mr. T Rex!

Bright wasn't too sure about all those teeth.

Evan and Daddy feed the giant carp.

A tired little man patiently waiting for some fireworks.



Evan got to ride some of the old rides from the old Pavilion.  He loved these motorcycles with the silliest horns.

Dune buggy time.

Daddy had to take one for the team and ride one with Evan.  Mommy could not handle this one!

Love this action shot!  Their smiles are priceless!

Love the carousel!

Mommy could handle this one.

Some sweet Labor Day fireworks.  Apparently, we weren't supposed to stand on the bridge, and Evan was not liking the smoke blowing in his eyes.

Had to get a picture of these boys together!

And one of the old friends too!