*The Williamson Way*

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Beach Weekend Recap

We went to the beach this past weekend with 3 families: the Conners, the Grosses and the Shifflettes. Between us, we had 8 adults and 8 kids-- and it was SO much fun!

We left Thursday morning and headed to Wrightsville beach. We stayed at the Susan's mom's house and it was fabulous!

After unpacking and doing some stuff around the house, we headed to the beach to let the kids get some energy out...and because it was a beautiful day!

With that many kids, it was all hands on deck pretty much all the time. We were constantly counting heads and making sure we had everyone!

We stayed on the beach the whole afternoon and it was so much fun!

Friday, the husbands all played golf and we had some sitters come over to help with our crew-- at first I didn't think we needed them, but I've got to say- it would have been a HARD day doing it without the added hands! That is a crowded beach and it is really hard to keep up with 8 active and brave children (who aren't afraid to go in over their head in the ocean!).

Love this picture of Susan and Emma:

Sweet Jane was tuckered out! It was her birthday and she was a party animal!

There was a guy skim boarding on the beach and the boys were all anxious to give it a shot.

These two are little beach bums together.

We celebrated Jane's birthday that night with a little cookout and the kids eating outside!

She was soooo sweet opening presents. I took about 93 pictures of her opening presents. I can't get enough!

Sweet Emma sat on my lap while we watched Janie open her presents. I loved some snuggle time!

Saturday, we went over to Susan and Dustin's house-- they are over on the sound side so we were able to play in the water a lot over there. Eddie and Cal rode the paddle board.

Andy and Janie had a date at the end of the dock...

A little storm rolled by and the kids all had rest time. Cal snuggled up with the babysitter and crashed-- he never naps so this was a big deal!

My girl...

And then on Sunday we got up early and headed to get Bruce!

We had such a fun weekend with the best of friends. We laughed so hard. We played cards against humanity. My kids didn't sleep through the night. The kids played so hard. We laughed some more...and we made a TON of memories for us and our families!

#carriedaway: week 29

Week 29:

Day 218: hung up from a phone call and turned the corner to see Cal reading Andy our NFL football book. He said "mommy, he's got to learn these teams soon."

Day 219: Getting a workout in.

Day 220: such a fun night at the Durham Bulls!

Day 221: the boys tested out dog beds today.

Day 222: some serious bike riding today!

Day 223: love listening to this sweet guy running football plays while I cook dinner.

Day 224: watching their mommas take the ice bucket challenge!

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

A bittersweet party

This past Wednesday, we held a going away party for some sweet, sweet friends who are moving in a few weeks. It's Sally's brother and his wife-- and we ALL love their family! So, a "fiesta" was held in their honor and it was so much fun!

This is Sally and Sheila at the party...

This was a party for kids and adults...so it was big! And fun! Here are some of the little ones playing together...

And here are some of the big girls playing together....

Cal had a blast! This was right after the pinata-- a huge smile and a green mouth with your best buddy- what more could a kid want??

Andy also had fun-- lately, his MO is to take off his shirt....all the time. He never has a shirt on. I don't know why-- we don't get it, but whatever! Nothing like a party at the country club with Andy running around shirtless....!

It was such a fun night with fun friends and their families! Eddie had a work thing and had to miss it, which is a bummer-- but we still had fun with all of our friends!!! Sheila and her family will certainly be missed... thankfully they are just a car ride away!

Bringing home Bruce

He's home!!!

After a long weekend at the beach with friends, we went to pick up our newest family member! We were all soooo excited!

"Come on, Mom! Let's go!"

He rode home from the beach on my floorboard. He chewed on a chew toy for a bit....

...and then he slept pretty much the rest of the way home!

He got a teeny bit carsick so I picked him up and held him-- he likes to sit up!

When we got home we set up his crate-- Andy and Bruce BOTH like it!

Bruce really plays hard for about 5-10 minutes and then he just crashes-- he takes hard naps! It doesn't matter what kind of noise is going on around him, he sleeps right through it!

Bruce and Hank.... so many people have asked how Hank is doing with the new pup. And, truth be told, the jury is still out. He was not real happy with us when we got home. Bruce got all in his face and he growled at him-- something we do not allow at all-- Eddie yelled at Hank and Hank was sooo upset. But we don't want him growling....at anyone or ay dog!

They have warmed up to each other a bit-- Bruce wants to play/bite/crawl all over Hank and Hank doesn't really enjoy it...

...but they are getting used to each other!

I kid you not, I find Andy like this more times in a day than I'd like to admit...

Bruce has learned about the "drop zone." Can't accuse him of not being smart!

The thing that gets Hank upset is not getting the attention. I was cooking dinner the other night and Hank and Bruce both scooted closer and closer to me... I was standing in the corner of the kitchen and they inched their way next to me-- melts my heart. I love my little boys!

Bruce came in the bathroom with me while I showered (I can't leave him for a minute unattended-- unless he's in his crate-- way too many little toys around to eat!), and he decided the tiles were perfect for a nap!

Hank had his feelings hurt while Bruce came in for the shower, so I let him in and they both snoozed a bit... they will be best buddies in no time...right?!?!

One of Andy's "things" is his pillow- it's a little giraffe pillow that he's had forever. We tried to replace it about a year or so with a solid blue one and he flat out refused it. Bruce, on the other hand, loves it. He was carrying around Andy's pillow, so we got out the blue one and he now sleeps on it in his crate! ha! Think he's spoiled?!?! I do. And I am okay with it.

We brought Bruce home on Sunday. Today is Wednesday. So far, Bruce has slept through the night each night (knock on wood!) and has had NO ACCIDENTS (seriously knocking on wood right now!). We don't know if we are lucky with the sleeping thing--we might recruit him to train Andy!!!!-- and the bathroom thing is wonderful...but I am taking him out often. It isn't like he is letting us know...yet.

All in all, so far so good with our newest little man!!!! We are beyond smitten...can you tell?!