Ft. Fisher Aquarium 9-19-09

For Harris's birthday, we went to Ft. Fisher Aquarium in Wilmington. To get there we rode the ferry across the ocean. I figured it was just one of those you take when sight seeing and didn't realize you DROVE YOUR CAR on it.

I was a little freaked out by the whole thing.

Chris and the boys loved it.

Cara too.

Here we are at the aquarium.

We met the Linton's there so Harris and Annie could celebrate their 2nd birthdays together.

Annie and her mommy, Jayme.

Touching lily pads

Checking out the gators

Nick was fascinated by the giant alligators

Nick and Annie had a great time crawling in the crab tunnel.

It is possible to get a 4 year old and 2 two year olds to sit still for a picture.

Los with the birthday buddies.

Harris was having a rough time, so sweet Annie shared her toy.

Ribbit, ribbit.

We had a wonderful time at the aquarium

I just thought this was funny. After four nights sharing a bed, here's how the boys ended up on the last morning.

Oak Island, NC part 2 & Harris's 2nd b-day Sept. 18-19, 2009

Cara started feeling bad on Wednesday night after we arrived on Oak Island. We just figured it was from the stomach flu which she had over the weekend. Nope. By Friday morning, she sounded really bad so Chris and I had to find a doctor to see her. She was diagnosed with Bronchitis and given an antibiotic.

Here she is playing with the chair as we were waiting.

All smiles now.

Cara and Harris preferred it in here because no sand would touch them.

Nick ready to go boogie boarding.

Sorry for the shabby video. I kept waiting and waiting for him to catch a wave and almost missed it.

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday sweet Harrison, happy birthday - YOU'RE TWO!!!

"It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to."

Cara's got Sophie the Giraffe, so she's good to go.

Progress! By the last day, Harris would go in the ocean. He didn't love it, but the screaming finally stopped.

My little princess looking like a grown up at 33 weeks old.

To celebrate Harris's birthday, we went putt putting. I don't recommend taking two children who have no concept of rules putt putting. We survived though.

Cara got a turn too.

I love this picture of father and son.

Giddup Zebra!

I'm a slack mom for not getting him a real cake, but he did have one a few weeks ago at his party.

Mom, it isn't going out.

Cara decided to eat her sleeve while waiting for a cupcake.

Mmmmm.

So the is the last smiling picture of our boys. Nick got a wicked case of the stomach flu a few hours later and slept the rest of the time.

Oak Island, NC part 1 - Sept. 16-17, 2009

Beach Time!!!

The first day, we crammed the car full and headed down with a completely uneventful ride. After we'd unpacked, we headed to the ocean. As soon as Harris's feet touched sand, he completely freaked out. He refused to put his feet on the sand. That should make for an interesting time. So he screamed bloody murder the entire time we were there the first day. Oh, and did I mention that Cara started running a fever and isn't her fun loving self. She isn't loving the beach either. I feel so bad for her. The good news is that Nick is having a BLAST. He loves the sand, ocean, shells, and all of it. That's awesome for us. At least one of our kids is having fun.

DAY 1

If you look carefully, you'll notice Harris pulling on Chris trying to keep him from going anywhere.

My Cara, not screaming yet.

She really wasn't too sure about the sand.

"I. Don't. Like. The. Sand!"

I wish we were closer to the beach. Nick just ran and ran.

DAY 2

Nick got to go out on his Spider Man boogie board today. He really thought he was going to be able to surf. Not so much. But he did catch some waves.

I stayed back on a towel with Harris and Cara so that the sand wouldn't touch them. Notice the terrified expression on Harrison's face.

Okay, here I go.

Chris helping him get ready.

I love the look of Nick's absolute joy.

No, you're eyes aren't deceiving you. That is Harris standing on sand without screaming. He finally warmed up and enjoyed himself. Friday, we're going to see if he'll venture out into the ocean.

Mmm, Cara, how does that sandy shovel taste?

Nick getting buried.

She finally just gave up.

Did I mention that the boys are sharing a room and a bed? It's Harris's first time sleeping in a big boy bed. Notice Nick isn't wearing pajamas.

Our condo is really close to the city park, so we decided to take the kids before dinner. Incidently, it's also right across from the police station. I laughed when Nick told Harris that he better behave himself because the po po would come and arrest him. Yea, Nick - Harris is the one who should behave.

Our princess watching her subjects on the swings.

Cara decided she wanted to try too.

One of the first real smiles we've had since we've been down here.

Nick helping Harris so he wouldn't be scared.

Mommy had a turn on the slide too.

Even Daddy took a turn.

We really are having a good time. Our goal for the rest of the vacation is for Harris to get in the ocean and for Cara to start feeling better. We're spending the entire day at the beach on Friday and meeting Harris's b-day buddy Annie at Fisher Aquarium on Saturday to celebrate the kids' 2nd birthdays. Fun times are still ahead!