Final night on Topsail Island

One last night on the beach!

Nick, Sam and Ben all headed down to the beach.

Nick and Uncle Marc fishing.

Playing in the tide pools.  The boys just couldn't help but to get wet, one last time!

Our cousin, Andrew fishing.

Look what Andrew caught!

We sadly said goodbye to the beach the next morning and returned to the midwest, hoping to return again, soon!  It was a fun, relaxing week and a special time to spend with our family.  The only mishap for our family was Nick's glasses.  He lost them in the ocean, on Monday!  Poor kid, he didn't complain once!  He now has a spare pair as well as a neon orange floating strap, all set for a return trip to the beach....

Topsail Island beach

During low tide in the morning the boys enjoyed playing in the tide pools.  The water was much calmer and quite warm.  Nick, Sam and Ben considered these their own personal swimming pools!

Fishing Trip

While in NC we all went on a fishing boat trip in the sound.  It was a fishing excursion designed just for kids.  Everyone caught lots of fish and had a great time!

Ben checking out a huge fishing pole.  The boat had just returned from an ocean fishing trip.  That pole was replaced with a Transformer's fishing pole!

Cruising to our fishing hole.

A huge birds nest!

Sam caught one!

Nick's first catch!

Ben wasn't too sure about this fish!

The fishing trip was designed for kids, but the grownups couldn't resist giving it a try too!



Uncle Dan, Aunt Deena, Max, Emma and Jackson. 

Aunt Joy and Uncle Bob.

Even Grama got into the act!

Aunt Ellen, Uncle Marc, Daniel, Nathan and Andrew were also on board catching fish on the other side of the boat.  I never made it to that side of the boat with my camera; I was too busy fishing myself!

Topsail Island!

After the wedding festivities we headed for the coast to Topsail Island!  A lot of our family joined us for the week.  It was truly a wonderful week on the beach.  The boys had so much fun with their cousins, aunts and uncles and Grama!

Our home for the week.

The biggest sand box, ever!  The kids loved playing on the beach.

Nick loved searching for shells.

Sam and Mommy, chillin' on the beach!

Daddy made the boys their very own "beach" chairs!

This creature didn't stand a chance!

Being overly cautious, I brought the boys life jackets, just in case!  While they didn't need them on the beach, they begged to wear them in the hot tub!  Sam was practicing the back float with his life jacket, entertaining his cousin Andrew and his brother, Ben.

The wedding reception

We all enjoyed the wedding reception, dancing the night away!

Mr. and Mrs. Stan Smith!

Nick is all smiles and ready to party after completing his task of ring bearer!



Pre- dinner drinks and appetizers.  Sam and Ben are ready for the real stuff!



The boys getting a better view of the newlyweds first dance from the stage. 

Later "dancing" on that stage!





What a night! 



Wedding Day

Nick looked like a perfect gentleman in his little tux!  He did such a good job and took to heart when I told him he needed to stand still during the ceremony.  He delivered the rings to the altar and then he stood very still looking out at the congregation, never once looking behind him at the wedding taking place!  He was so, so cute!

Uncle Alan took Nick around and showed him the ropes of the whole wedding deal!



Daddy trying to keep Sam and Ben in check!  No easy task!



Sam and Ben, looking for trouble!



Wingman, Sam.







The Wedding.





Nick and the sweet flower girl, Grace.





Our little family.



Mommy and her boys.



Pictures with Grama Schraufnagel.