Cherry Grove, 2009!

Oh, our family just loves this place. People say it's too crowded, but not where we are....it's just perfect (except that my Daddy's not there). Anyway, our week went by way too fast. Lots of pics follow.

Waiting the first day to go out is like waiting on Christmas. Takes toooooo long for the adults to unpack some stuff......all 12 minutes of it!!!

I'm with the kids on the waiting. I am, without a doubt, the least patient adult when it comes to getting out in the sand and waves. Cammie snapped this right as we were heading out.

Tide pools are second best to 7-foot, smooth waves!

The kids have the boogie-boarding down to a perfect T!!I love to boogie board too, but I stay way out. Can't ride them all the way in like they do.....I think I may be a little top heavy?!?!

My girls!

That little 'hole-in-the-wall' joint is called Duffy Street Seafood Shack and it's one of our favorites. It was extra special this year because Seth, who was allergic to everything and I mean EVERYTHING (except for about 5 things) when he was little was tested by the allergist the Friday before the trip. He can now eat shell fish, not scale fish though. Anyway, all he wanted was fried shrimp and this was the best place for him to get it. Oh, what a day. We toasted him and the kids are giving him high 5's. Meanwhile, Nana is in the background (white pants, coral top) making new friends. It's surprising that she didn't already know them, being that she knows seven -eighths of the people in North and South Carolinas.....at least their grandparents and cousins!!!

Getting ready for beach portraits. They turned out expensively beautiful, especially of the kids!

Can we say 'serious' golfers?

Gregory Paul and Gregory Seth!

Dad and his babies in front of the horses from the Dixie Stampede which is right beside The Carolina Opry. Great show, as always.

More beach shots!

One of my favorite pictures ever of my Mama!

Other shots!

Brookie and her look alike American Girl doll have matching bathing suits!

Baby birds are barely awake as we catch up on the Tour de France before we go out to the ocean.

Where ya goin'?

Where ya goin', Mom?

Why is everybody leaving me? I know when something is going on.

Marion

So, the girls and I have been in Marion all week. We've been swimming and wall climbing at the YMCA and have done various other activities. I've taken ample time to go to my old high school to run some....running stairs is quite different from running uptown.....thought I was dying at the top of these stairs. Ran them every other lap.

They don't look that steep....except when you're running them. This place brings back memories.

We also spent an afternoon with Amanda, Katelyn, and Matthew. Went to lunch and then to the park in town. I haven't been there in ages. Played a little while on the playground and then on to the splash pad which was great for cooling off.

Hadn't planned to do this, thus the shorts as opposed to a bathing suit. We just let loose and went in. That's some COLD mountain water.

Texting is much more important than splashing.

Me, Mom, and Amanda.

Red, White, and Blue!

Have a fun July 4th weekend, but be safe. And, remember our Veterans and present day military! We thank you and honor you.

Diggin' and Divin'

This week has been fun. On Tuesday, Brooke and I went with our church group to Hiddenite gem mining. Brookie has been before in the mountains, and she knew exactly what she was looking for. This mine is not quite as 'fancy' as the one she went to with her class, but adventurous just the same.

Brooke says there's too much mud to find alot of gems, but the creek mining was the stuff!

In Hiddenite!

We have been swimming quite a bit this week as well, both at the lake and in the pool. Today, we went to the Stewarts' pool for the afternoon.

Carly and Brooke in Carly's pool. This has to be the cleanest pool ever!

Strike a pose, 'Mini-Me'!!!

And then, go for it! I give it a 10!!!