Outer Banks, Post #2

By this time, all I could think about was the wedding that was scheduled to happen on the beach the very next day, and how awful it was going to be. Not because of the chance of rain, not because of a hurricane crossing over Nags Head like the week before, but because of the mosquitoes that covered the whole island just waiting to suck my blood. From the first day alone both kids had mosquito bites all over their legs, back and face, and that's after covering them head to toe when they went outside.  It was miserable!

Saturday, 7:00am-Day of the wedding.
Andy, Yvonne and Olivia arrive with all of their mosquito ammo ready for war!

I don't know if it was the aerial crop planes that sprayed bug repellant for 8 hours during the night over the entire island or Andy arriving with cans and cans of mosquito fog, but whatever it was, we woke up on the morning of the wedding and did not see one mosquito!!!  We could not believe it, it was a miracle!

We were ready for a wedding on the beach!  Come back tomorrow for wedding pics.

The Outer Banks, Post # 1

Our family recently traveled to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, more specifically Nags Head North, Carolina for a wedding on the beach and a family vacation all tied into one.  So much happened in the past week that I can't cram it all into one post so I will start from the beginning and I will see where it takes me.

Before we even left our house for the 16 hour drive down, these were the texts that I received from family members who were already at the beach house.

I thought that maybe Kenna was exaggerating about the mosquitoes, but once we got there and hardly pulled into the drive-way, little lone get out of the van, we were completely swarmed by thousands of blood sucking mosquitoes!  It was awful, like nothing I have ever experienced, we seriously thought these HUGE mosquitoes were going to pick up our van and fly away with it! All we could do is cover the kids and run inside!

No joke, this is what it was like!  I thought I was going to die.

It's a good thing that 5 hours into our drive down we stopped at a Home Depot and bought $65.00 worth of bug spray, it helped until 10:00am of the morning we arrived, then it was GONE (only lasted 3 hours.)

Soooo, we called the next group of people who were planning on staying at our beach house with us and told them to buy MORE bug spray before they got too close to the OBX (which was sold out).  They came with probably $200.00 worth of mosquito fog and OFF bug spray.

Did it help?  Find out tomorrow ;) hehe

Nick at 3.

Has blonde hair. Can hit a baseball further then I can. Is 35 pounds. Independent.Nickerbocker.Melts my heart when he says, "I miss you Mommy". Calm.Is not potty trained and could care less if he wears a dirty diaper all day long. Loves trains. Goes to 3 year old Pre-School. Had a Pirate Birthday Party in the OBX. Playful.Jumping off the diningroom table is a favorite past-time. Takes 3 hour naps still. Wakes up VERY early.Plays at the table instead of eating.Is 40 inches tall. Can't ride a bike yet.Giggly.Nickle-Pickle.Athletic.BIG belly laugh when Daddy tickles him.Points out every bus, train and plane.Tries really hard to run fast, but really he is not.Is big for his age.Loves his blankie.Holds on to Daddy's leg and says,"Miss you Daddy."Can't drink enough milk.Is left handed.Is very good at putting puzzles together.Gives Daddy thumbs ups.Picks out football jerseys to wear.Has blue eyes. Pretends he is a dog.loves to play with my iphone. easy going.Likes to eat Frank's Red Hot Sauce on his eggs in the morning.Is the most wonderful son a Mommy could ever have.

Nick, Daddy and I wish you a very happy 3rd Birthday, you are a great little boy and we can't imagine life without you!

Our butterfly took flight today.

For the past two weeks we have been raising 3 caterpillars, turned chrysalis' in our kitchen.  Today our first caterpillar, better known as "Sprakle" in our house hatched from her (I have been told it IS a HER.) warm and cozy sleeping bag.  It was the most exciting thing to happen in our house "EVER", announced Kate.  We let Sparkle's wings dry and let her practice a bit before taking her outside to be free.

 Nick didn't want to touch the butterfly, but he sure examined it!

Kate was curious at first, and wasn't sure about holding Sparkle, but...

...then she got brave and enjoyed every second of Sparkle hanging out on her.

Kate encouraged Sparkle to practice using her wings.

Beautiful!

After Sparkle's first flight she landed in a tree.

We have 2 more chyrsalis' to hatch soon and we can't wait!

(Thanks Susie for the caterpillars!)

Kate and Kindergarten

Today was Kate's first day of Kindergarten...

...and it went just perfectly!

I got this picture idea from pinterest.com, lets just hope I can keep it up each year!

Patty: Why do you have to go to kindergarten today?

Kate: Because I need to, First you have to go pre-school, then kindergarten, then 1^st grade, then 2^nd grade, then college, it’s just what you have to do.

Anxious and ready to head out the door.

Kate found her locker right away.

 Kate and her writing folder.

She enjoyed playing with the rice table the most.

Patty: What do you think you will do in Kindergarten?

Kate: I don’t know…play games, play hide-n-go-seek. But, I DON'T have to take naps!!!

Awwwww, Mommy and Me Pic!

Patty: Do you remember your teachers name?

Kate: Yea, Ms. Hunt.  Is she a Grandma, cuz she looks like a Grandma.

Ms. Hunt is older and very calming (perfect for Kate), speaks in a very soft voice and seems very organized (Perfect for Mama)!  I am excited for the year!