Krispy Kreme

We got to tour the local Krispy Kreme factory.  I wasn’t allowed to take pictures in the factory (because of the “secret” recipe).  However, it was a blast for the kids to see how the doughnuts were made (and the adults too). They liked it when the donut holes went through the glaze fountain.  YUMMO!  At the end of the tour they gave each kid two donuts and each adult a dozen.  This was so nice; especially since the tour was free. We learned some interesting facts too about Krispy Kreme and how it was won during a poker game for the original owner and how the reason they have a drive through is b/c people would literally drive to the original owner’s house to get some of the sweet stuff!  And you have to admit…you gotta love it when that “hot now” sign comes on.  We went out on a sugar high…we probably had it before we even had a donut simply because of the smell!! 

The kids finished another year at the local library's summer reading program. They love getting their prizes for reading and especially their tshirt at the end. :). I remember starting haleigh with that the year we moved here. I still have all her tshirts from each year. :) 

Mother daughter toe nail painting. I did hers, she did mine!!  She said we were twins now. :)

Picking up Snowby

Becky, I took this picture for you.  These are Grandma’s hibiscus plants.  I know I was trying to tell you how big they really were. They are gorgeous.

Had a nice visit with Maw before we left town.  And we had a nice visit with Mom but I didn’t get a picture of her. :( 

We are so glad that mom was able to take such good care of Snowby while we were away.  And it worked out nice to break the trip up since it was soooooo very long.

I really enjoyed spending time with y’all but I realized on the way home that I really haven’t spent a nice couple of days with you since the Mother Daughter Luncheon back in May…and that was a busy weekend so I could almost say it was before then.  I’m glad that you will be coming up for my birthday weekend and really looking forward to actually seeing you for more than a couple hours.  And I was thinking, coconut will do!

Maw, don’t be mad about his picture of you but I love it!  It’s so you, working in the yard. 

Lot’s of butterflies in Maw’s yard.  And I have been instructed by Chris that we don’t have near enough flowers in our yard.  After looking at my mom’s flowers and Maw’s flowers he says that it is in my “bloodline” and I need to do better next year.  Will do. 

Tom and Jaci’s

Tom and Jaci are such wonderful hosts.  We are so grateful that they accommodated us during our trip.  It was nice to be together again with laughter and love among us.

On the last night of our vacation, we went back to “The Loon” for a gathering of good friends. There was a great spread of food and it was so awesome catching up with old friends and neighbors. 

We appreciate your kindness and generosity, Tom and Jaci.  And we loved seeing you and being with you. I wish I would have gotten some pics of the kitchen because it is gorgeous!

 

Miss my Angie—so nice to catch up with her.  Made me realize how much I truly miss her!

 

These are Angie and Jason’s cuties.  They were sweet.  So  glad that I finally got to meet little Abby. 

“Check out my hops.”  Lol

Uncle Jamie..as the kids call him.  Soooo good to see him.  And his mama made me that purdy scarf.  Still waiting on the apple butter. ;)

Chris was so glad to catch up with Ben.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get pictures of everyone that came to see us.  I was too busy chatting.

All the kids having fun.

Beach Time

 

This is what happens when Haleigh gets a hold of my phone and starts to take pics.  Lovely. 

The first four pictures are from my iPhone and I found them when I downloaded pics from the beach.  They are from the beginning of the trip.  The kids were passed out on the way in.  The pictures of the water was their first exposure to a very small beach in the old neighborhood.  It was so cute because when James got down there he said, “I'm so excited we’re finally at the beach.”  Little did he know where he really was.  They both just walked right in!

These are pictures pulled from my phone and Chris’s phone.  First, I must admit that I did NOT ride the Ferris wheel.  I didn’t want to have to use the kid’s tickets so they could use them on something else (wink, wink).  But they (especially Jamesy) had to ride this thing.  I love their faces.  They got quite a ride, too.  Every time I thought they were done, he sent them around again.  I don’t think the kids minded but not so sure about Chris! We kept the kids out really late this night.  We hung around the “fun park” for a while, saw a magic show by the boardwalk, and ended the night watching fireworks over the beach.  Great evening!

Who’s the strongest?!  Chris had his turn too…he was sooo close!

This was Haleigh getting her special braid in.  She loves it!

Chris dug the kids a hole.  It wasn’t quite big enough at first so he kept digging.

The kids really enjoyed their time at the beach.  They loved to dig around in the sand.  The heat really wears them out so we were glad we didn’t spend the whole week there.  There were 1-2 foot waves which were also intimidating to them.  On our last day there, we asked if they wanted to go to the beach before we headed back to Tom and Jaci’s and they both said they preferred the pool (which was indoors).  It was all good though.  They were so cute and it was fun to watch their excitement to everything they did and saw.

Hello, jet noise!!  They flew over at least every 15-30 minutes. 

Argh!

Introducing ZhuZhu, Haleigh’s new hermit crab.  She thinks he is such a cutie.

And we came home with not one but two (2nd not pictured).  James had to have one too.  Haleigh’s is ZhuZhu and James’s is Cottie.  Don’t ask me how they came up with the names.  But they sure are excited to have these as an addition to our family.  We told Haleigh that they may not live forever but she said, “that’s OK, I’ll draw a picture of him so I can remember him forever.”  We hope that will live a while.  They have already been upgraded to a nicer living arrangement.