sea turtle patrol

Quite the sight. 

As if the first rays of the sun blessing the pier at Myrtle Beach State Park weren't enough, this particular Friday morning happened to be a sea turtle nest hatching day.

Apparently somewhere around ninety babies made their walk from nest to sea three days prior and it was time for the park rangers to do their digging and uncover any remaining survivors.

This little guy was considered strong enough to be released.

Amazingness.
♥

July goodness...

Enjoying the beach, soaking up time with friends and family, catching up on reading, and even getting in a few photo-shoots...

What a sweet month it's been...

Just a few more days and we'll be back to Raleigh and back to work... and before long, back to the grad school grind!! :)

summer vacay, week one

Can't believe how fast time goes. 

Week one is already in rear view!

It's been great. 

Not a dull moment to be found around here!

No wonder we were so culture shocked moving to a new town with new faces and not so many familiar ones. Of course I wouldn't change a thing, but it sure is nice to be reminded that there are people in the world who have known us more than fifteen minutes. :)

Looking forward to digging deeper with some budding friendships in Raleigh, but for now, it's great to be surrounded with family and friends and all things familiar! 

I've even been digging up old journals and photo albums... enjoying the reminder of where I've been and asking for more vision for where we're going.

south africa, 2003

Tuesdays with Cade...

Little Buddy tried to wear us out today...

pretty sure we returned the favor.

Except for two short naps, these two didn't stop moving alllll day.

Man oh man, I love them to pieces!!
♥

Tuesdays in July, this is where we'll be.

30 Days of Vacay

In year-round multi-track schools, we call it tracked-out.
{alsoknownas: Summer Vacation}

I call it 30 days to play!

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to work with these little ones and see them come so far in one short quarter. And, with that, I'm so thankful for a job that affords vacation time like this! Thirdly, the track I'm on (track 4) also happens to coincide beautifully with Jeremy's school breaks!

Jeremy says God Himself spoils me.
I can't help but agree.

I'm so thankful for this time to travel & play and see family & friends and take pictures & write down stories... I can hardly stand it!

If you're in MB and you want to catch up, give us a shout!
We're thrilled to be here for a stretch!
♥

TMC..(Mon.8.24)

lunchtime spot overlooking the market common... I think I was missing the girls and our play-full week... ♥

last {best} day..(Thurs.8.20)

appetizers for supper at The Market Common..

Ended up getting to spend the whole last day with the girls!


we did the State Park.. and then they got pedicures...


The Market Common was a good one to save for last.. the Thursday Lawn Party (& corn hole) was fun.. then Barnes and a walk around the shops.. had to hug the palm trees! ♥

Broadway {at the beach}.. (Wed.8.19)

true staycationing must involve some good ole MB attractions...


dinner at Joe's Crab Shack, putt-putt at the Dragon's Lair.... (where mom and jeremy put all of us to shame!)


then more tattoos.. henna this time.. and of course we couldn't resist the Tiki Jim's photo spot!! :)

girls' {project} night.. (Tues.8.18)

duct tape purses in the making..


somehow failed to get an aftershot... I'll have to grab kelli's from fb.. ♥

Myranda and Sam came too which certainly added to the fun!

low-key {movie} night..(Mon.8.17)

Anna's kitty had kittens...

..nice low-key night tonight after working all day (the girls had a busy one at Freestyle Music Park.. so glad they loved it there! -airbrush tattoos and all- :)

..decided instead of venturing to Broadway we'd do a 10:00 movie instead.. The Time-Traveler's Wife for Rosey since she read it & was dieing to see it... crazy story. didn't love it. loved going with K & R though.. and was happily surprised at the $7 movie price.. (thought it was going to be $9:).. made for a late night, but again, more than worth it! ♥

huntington {gator watching}.. (Sun.8.16)

pretty sure he was opening wide just for us! :)

full, fun day today: church, empire fire (my favorite place ever!) for lunch, home for a short rest, and then huntington beach state park and some good gator-time!!

(we were pretty excited considering last time kellianne was here we took her there and there were no gators to be found!)

fun {beach} day 1.. (Sat.8.15)

the epitome of sweet vacationess!!

yes they were burned, but I'm pretty sure it was worth it...

(fun day at the beach with these two and mom & kayla!!)


....and the night was great too:



..a little dressing up for a fancy dinner where we learned to fancy-fold our napkins... and 'the best sunset spot' on the beach!

the staycation begins.. (Fri.8.14)

KelliAnne and Rosey's visit started off nicely with two nights at a hotel in MB!!

(I didn't stay Friday due to a little Sat. morning work, but gladly joined them as soon as it was over!:)

playing catch-up..

I have some back-tracking to do... and I actually really want to do it.... not sure how I'll manage just one photo per day, but we'll see... :)