Kure for the Summertime Blues {Part 1: Cute Cousins}

We spent the first week of June at Kure Beach and it was a great time together with sun, sand, waves, family, and everything you need to make a memorable vacation.  Too many photos for one post, so I'll split them up.

It was so fun for us to get to watch these two precious cousins love being together.  The older they get, the less that one year difference is making and they are really learning how to play with and enjoy each other.  Here's some proof of that.

Eating side by side (with matching "bear ears").

Coloring together...

Sitting on the beach together...

And when we needed to cook dinner, they hung out  reading books together in Clara's baby prison pack and play.

Excited for spaghetti night...

Reading together...

 Munching on some apples while they wait out the summer thunderstorm...

Taking a stroll down the pier.

And looking out over the deep blue sea....

Playing on the playground...

 Donning matching PJs...

There was lots of playing doctor...

It's always been one of my favorite things to do to fix beach goodie bags/buckets for my buddies when we head to the beach together.  I gotta say; I had even more fun making them for these two sweet kids.  And the most fun watching them open them!

 Working on their crafts together...

Next post: On the Boardwalk
Stay tuned!

Memorial Day Picnic(s)

Memorial Day brought sunshine and warm weather and it was the perfect day to meet some friends at a park.  My dear friend Sarah drove up from SC and met me halfway, in Charlotte, so my other sweet friend Susie, who also lives near Charlotte, met us too.  We all have two year olds and it was such a random, fun, impromptu gathering.  I had never been to Freedom Park in Charlotte, but that's one amazing park.  It reminded me of a "real" city park, like Central Park in NYC.  We played on the playground a bit, walked on the paved trails some, saw the ducks swimming in the picturesque lake, climbed some trees and enjoyed a picnic.  I'm grateful for these precious friendships and hope that Clara will learn from me how valuable girlfriends are in life.  Old and new.

And we came home that night to make the traditional Memorial Day fare. Hot dogs and burgers that were to die for, baked beans, watermelon, chips, potato salad.... the whole she-bang.  Yum yum.

Thankful on this Memorial Day for all those who fought to give us the freedom we have today.  Never to be taken for granted!