Boys, Cars, Bikes and MUD

A few weeks ago we had a rainy but very warm day. The rain stopped for a bit, and so despite us all being sick, the boys and I headed outside for some warm fresh air. Cooper wanted to go for a walk/ bike ride. So I put Hudson in the push-car and we walked down the street, not too far, in case it suddenly started to rain again.

Hudson loves to ride in the big boy car. He even holds/ turns the steering wheel like he's driving. Such a smart baby.

Of course we get down the street abd there's a giant mud puddle down the hill buy the stream. I'm learning that mud is just dirt, which can be washed out of clothes, so I swallowed my natural instincts to keep the boys out of the mud, and let Coop just go for it. I have a great video of him riding down the hill through the mud puddle a few times, but haven't had computer access to upload it, and that's backing up my blogging. So I'll post these pics abd post the video later.

To get in the puddle Coop had to ride down a small, but pretty steep hill. He's getting really good on his bike, with no training wheels, and did this about 20 times, only tipping over once--just enough to get really muddy without getting hurt.

It was a nice break from being stuck inside for days, due to cold, rainy weather. I'm glad for these moments with my boys. Maybe not glad for the laundry later, but hey, a little dirt never hurt anybody.

Saturday in Salter Path

The Saturday following Thanksgiving we spent time together and with Poppy and Mema. In the morning we went to the aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. Cooper asked to get on the giant frog statue.

Having been there before, Coop wasn't too interested in many of the exhibits. But he is never one to pass up anything hands-on.

He was worried that the horseshoe crab could bite or pinch. The sweet lady working the exhibit kindly explained all about them and how they cannot hurt you.

Hudson woke up from his nap and loved looking at all the colorful fish.

Both of them enjoyed this tank.

I think I could have left Huddy in front of the giant tank for awhile.

That afternoon we got to go to the Emerald Isle Christmas Parade. Mema and the boys.

Cooper took this picture of Mommy and Daddy.

Cooper loved seeing the cool vintage cars.

The parade went on for what seemed like forever.

Then we finally saw Poppy with the Shriners.

Hi Poppy!! Coop sure wanted to ride in that boat!

Abby, Haleigh and Stella came for a visit the next morning as I was busy packing up the house and cleaning. It was fun to visit with them. Nate and his dad had gone out to build a duck blind for hunting later this season.

No visit to Poppy's house is ever long enough. Cooper loves to hang out with his Poppy, especially tinkering in the shed or in the yard, climbing on the boat, and shooting guns (which he has NOT stopped talking about since!). 

Beaufort, Beach, and Bryts Family

The day after Thanksgiving Nate had to work. But the rest of us went out for a little sight-seeing. First stop: Beaufort. Just off coast of Beaufort is said to be the sunken pirate ship of Blackbeard himself.  We didn't see any pirates in Beaufort, but we did see...

Santa arriving by boat!

We stopped to watch him and wave to him.


Then we went souvenir shopping and got some ice cream cones.  Cooper chose a bag of Mike & Ike's over ice cream, since he's allergic.  I didn't even have to ask him.  What a good little trooper.
We did spy one pirate in Beaufort, courtesy of Liz!

More souvenir shopping.  That's a LOOK, Kate!

Then we headed to the beach to fly kites and have fun in the sand.  We drove to Fort Macon, but being on the tip of the island, it was TOO COLD.  There was wind for the kites, alright, but it wasn't too fun.  So we all piled back in the cars and went to the good ol' driveway in Salter Path.  Old reliable never lets us down.  The kids weren't very interested in the kites.  Cooper: NOT AT ALL.  So they played in the sand.  Kate wasn't thrilled to be at the beach where "the water is moving!"  She was scared and unhappy, sweet pea.

Hudson wanted out, but was a good baby staying bundled in his warm car seat.

Cooper and Ellie (and Uncle Bryt, I think) had a BLAST playing in the sand.

Liz and Kate paused for a photo, and then Liz took Kate back to the house while we stayed.  I probably should have taken the baby in, but I just kept him turned away from the wind, and bundled, because I wanted to be outside and on the beach too.

Cooper and Mommy with a flock of pelicans behind us.

Uncle Bryt helped Cooper and Ellie dig a hole.

Ells Bells and Hudderbug

These two would have gone swimming if we'd have let them.

BEACH!

And the hole grew...

and grew.

That night we went out to eat, and decided to try a place in Emerald Isle we'd never been to before.

The kids were pretty well behaved.  Cooper LOVES his cousins.  He was SO SAD when they left for Baltimore early the next morning.

Nate, Bryt and Liz

Uncle Bryt feeding Hudson.  Have a picture of him feeding Cooper at about this age, too.  Cute.

Me and Huddy, who is finally able to sit in a high chair.

That night we had a battle of RISK.  I had never really played, nor had Nate.  Ellie, Bryt and Liz were pros at it.  We had a lot of fun.  But as is usual when playing a game with Bryt, he won.  He always wins.  Seriously.  But it was still so much fun.  Playing games with my siblings is one of my true loves.  I always look forward to it.  Bryt and I used to play games all the time together when we were little, all the way to adulthood.  And now Ellie is in on it--she took a close second to Bryt that night.  At 7 years old, I'd say she's well on her way with board games.  Such a fun night, and a fun vacation.

Thanks, Bryt, Liz, Ellie and Kate for making the long drive down to spend Thanksgiving with us.  We're so glad you did!!!

Thanksgiving Day--Cooking, Feasting, Resting, Shopping

This year we spent Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks.  Not only did we get to see Nathan's dad and family, but my brother, Bryt, and his family came down from Baltimore to be with us.  We arrived late Wednesday night, so the festivities started Thursday.  We rented a beach house to stay in, so we had an extra kitchen. Liz and I cooked all morning. Between the two of us we made: banana cream pie, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, and apple crisp. It was a crazy morning and none of our cooked stuff turned out quite right because both ovens weren't quite working right. But it all still tastes good!

We had the feast at Nate's Aunt Faye's house, as is Thanksgiving tradition for the Smith family. With kids, there were about 20 people for dinner, so it was a bit crazy. On top of it, Hudson was fussy, Kate was tired, and so none of us took many pictures of the dinner. I did get a few that day.

Mema and Hudson

Bryt chaperoning the kids table. Bryt, Kate, Lexi, Ellie, and Cooper.

Aunt Liz and Hudson

Ellie and Hudson (Ellie was such a great help and babysitter with the baby, wish I could take her come with me.)

Poor Kate was tired and in a MOOD.

After dinner we tried to take Hudson for a quick drive to get him to nap, since he was overtired. He refused our efforts, so we headed to Poppy and Mema's house to hang for a bit, since Cooper was already there hanging out with Poppy. Coop was glued to Poppy's hip, hardly leaving his side all weekend.

Coop and Mema, post feast.

Poppy and Hudson

Ellie and Cooper playing outside, ready to go check out the beach, despite the cold. They gathered TONS of seashells to being home.

Liz and I had originally planned on going shopping early on black Friday, but with a teething baby who had not been sleeping well, we decided last minute to head out to do some shopping Thursday night instead. Our first stop was Ulta where Liz scored hairspray for about 30% of the usual cost. Our next and final stop was Walmart. Oh my. We'd gone out about 8, and missed the crazy rush. We found some pretty good deals, and enjoyed our few hours of kid-free shopping. Thanks husbands for watching the kids (who pretty much slept) so we could go out!

Edited to add:

Cooper made this list in school of things he is thankful for. I thought it was worth sharing. Sweet boy.