Holden Beach and a new decade

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2013

Holden Beach, NC

Time to catch this blog up a bit. Last weekend was Memorial Day weekend. It was so special for many reasons. First, Jack turned six months old! He is such a big boy. Two days before (on Justin's birthday to be exact), Jack said, "dada" for the first time. Justin was quite pleased...even if Jack had no idea what he was saying.

It was Jack's first trip to the beach. We went to Holden Beach with Justin's family, a vacation we look forward to every year! Unfortunately, we could only go from Thursday to Saturday but it was three days of lots of fun! We ate at a few of our favorite places including Provisions (best shrimp burgers ever) and The Giggling Mackerel. It was such a comforting and relaxing few days. We didn't want it to end. Jack did very well with the car ride that ended up being almost 5 hours due to traffic from biker week in Myrtle Beach.

Jack loved the beach! The first night we went to the ocean was for pictures. Thursday night, Sherry arranged to have a professional photographer come to the beach and take our pictures on the shore. We got several in the water, near the dunes, etc. She had great props too. Can't wait to see how they turned out! Hopefully we'll have them in a few weeks. Jack giggled as I dipped his toes in the sand. Here is a picture...

Sherry had the great idea of bringing an inflatable baby pool to the ocean. We filled it up with water and let it get warm in the sun (the water temperature was just a little chilly). Then Jack played and played. Julianne eventually warmed up to it and had a blast too. Jack kept pulling at Julianne and grabbing her cute bathing suit. He just loved her. It was a grand time!

Us, playing around in the beach house. Jack loves the phone. Towards the end of the car ride, I was desperate and resorted to letting him watch bugs bunny cartoons on YouTube. He was a peach considering how long he was trapped in the car so I figured he had earned it. I know...bad mommy!

Julianne, with those gorgeous blue eyes! She's a doll baby! Big brother, Luke, is in the background. Boy, has he gotten big! Reed too! They aren't little boys anymore. I feel so old :)

 

Jack's first sparkler! He was mesmerized. Sherry always has so many fun things for all the kids, all ages! Luke and Reed really enjoyed them. Of course the grown ups did too!

A trip to Holden wouldn't be complete without lots of time on the porch. Granna and Papa had the best seats in the house! Such fun, having both babies together! It was a PERFECT first beach trip for Jack. I honestly look forward to Holden every year and only wish it could last longer!

After Holden, we drove cross-state to Aiken to pick up the dogs and visit with family. We went to see Star Trek and ate at Carolina Ale House for Justin's birthday celebration. Jack loved having five days off from day care and was spoiled rotten!

Last, but definitely not least, Justin turned 30!! Big milestone! Welcome to my decade ;) Hard to believe I fell in love with that boy when he was only 19. It's been an amazing 10 years and my, how the time has flown! I'm going to blink and another 10 years will have passed. I am one lucky girl to have him. He is a wonderful husband, a caring father, and an extraordinary person.

Justin, I love you with every ounce of my heart. You are the man of my dreams. I am so proud of the man you've become. You are an amazing daddy and I wouldn't want to live this life without you.

Above are two videos of us playing on the beach. Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!