Carova Beach

We took a family vacation
the week after Labor Day
and traveled with Nana & Papa
to Carova Beach, NC.

We took off on a Saturday
and spent the first night in Plymouth, NC
(Pronounced Ply-mouth).

We found a restaurant
where Nana tried whole fried crab.
An experience in itself.

 



 

 

 

 

 

The next day, we traveled to our beach house.

 

Getting there was part of the adventure.

There are no roads once you reach Corolla, NC.

The rest of the drive is done on the beach.

True 4x4 is a must.

Luckily, the Buick made it without getting stuck.

 

 

 

Our beach house did not disappoint.

It was small compared to the mega-homes surrounding us.

It was perfect for what we needed.

 

It was right on the beach

with a beautiful boardwalk and gazebo.

 

Heavenly.

 

 

Sara had a lot of fun

in the "big sandbox".

She loved running out

into the waves with no fear.

 

 

 

 

Sara tried her FIRST push pop.

The smile says it all.

She had it after dinner

and she was on a sugar high.

 

At bedtime, she was 100 miles an hour.

We asked if she wanted to go to bed

and she said, "no" over and over.

 

 

 

 

 

Daddy tried kayaking into the ocean.

"A" for effort.

The waves were a little too big.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daddy & Papa tried surf fishing.

Another "A" for effort.

The sea creatures weren't taking the bait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We waited for the wild horses

to come for a visit.

After a few days,

we took a drive to see them.

 

It wasn't long until we found them.

Along with a mud puddle or two.

 

 

 

 

 

We had a week full of relaxation.

 

Aside from a day or two of rain,

we had sunny, beautiful days.

Not too hot, not too cool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family photos and making friends with birds.

 

Birds like goldfish

(both from the ocean and Sara's snack cup).

 

Gazebo cocktails and cappuccinos.

 

 

 

 

Many trips back and forth to the beach

on our own private boardwalk.

 

 

 

Plenty of time for reading.

 

 

 

 

Plenty of time for relaxing.

 

 

 

 

And plenty of time for silliness.

 

 

 

I think Sara is offically a beach lover.

 

 

 



 

17/18 Months

 

 

 

Sara is 18 months old today.

 

I had to search my blog

for a 17 month post.

There was none.

This girl keeps her mommy busy!

 

Sara was moved to the next

room and age group at daycare.

There are days she doesn't want to leave

which is so great to see.

 

Sara is ticklish and loves to tickle in return.

She puts her hands up and says,

"tickle tickle" in a high voice.

 

She has the best belly laugh

and the sweetest smile.

 

 

 

 

 

Sara loves her daddy.

She asks for him from sun-up to sun-down.

She loves "daddy rides" on the mower.

Sara and Gunnar are four months apart.

They are forming a nice little friendship.

Which makes their parents happy

since they are forming a nice little friendship too!

 

She still loves her Mason.

She lights up whenever he comes over to play.

I bet in another year, these two will have a blast

playing outside on the playset.

 



 

She loves puppies and kitties.

We are still working on being nice to "sissy".

When she tries to pet Lucy,

she does more hitting than petting.

 

 

 

The biggest change I've seen

in the last couple months

is her independence growing.

She is content to play by herself

or sit with a book and read.

 

 

She is such a neat kid.

We are so lucky to have her.

 



Daycare Update

 

Sara is doing really well at Stepping Stones.

She likes having breakfast at drop off.

There are no more tears.

She smiles, waves good-bye, and gives me a kiss.

 

 

 

 

Sara also has a new "bestie" at daycare.

 

She found a winnie-the-pooh plush toy

and has claimed it as her own.

We think it's like a security blanket for her.

 

Her teachers thought she brough it from home

because she never lets it go!

 

 

I can't believe how fast she's growing up!

 

 



Summertime

And the livin' is easy.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Stone Mountain

 

We took a Saturday drive
and found a hidden gem in the mountains.

 Stone Mountain has waterfall slides,

hiking trails, and pretty butterflies.
 

 

 

 

We're looking forward to returning

once Sara is big enough to try the waterslides.

Lounge Chair

On one of our shopping trips to Target
Sara and I found a cute chair - ON SALE.

 

 

Sara tried it out in the store first.

 

It was a perfect fit.

 

We had to buy it.

 

 

 

 

 

Daddy approved.

 

 

 



Grandma Rose

  

This month,

we said "see you later"

to my Grandma Rose.

 

 

 

 

My BINGO partner

as far back as I can remember.

 

Always present, always loving.

 

She would have given

the shirt off her back

to anyone who needed it.

 

She loved the Lord.

 

She loved life.

 

She was sassy

and kept me on my toes.

 

If too much time had passed

between phone calls,

she would answer saying,

"So, you are still alive!"

 

I'm thankful for our time in Mayer.

To be close enough

to BINGO on Wednesdays in Winsted

and attend church together on Sundays.

  

I'm thankful for the time

Sara had with her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I read Psalm 23 and Isaiah 49: 13-18

at her funeral.

 

 

 

 



 

The reunion in Heaven

must have been glorious.

Until we meet again, Grandma Rose.

 





The clouds on my return flight after the funeral.