Carolina Beach

We had a ton of packing to do when we got home from our Italy trip, but we wanted to cross off a few more North Carolina bucket list items before our move. Most of our list included places to eat, like biscuits and cinnamon rolls from Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen. YUM! We would pass by every morning on our runs and smell the deliciousness, so on one of our final runs we stopped and threw the food in the bottom of the stroller. Nothing makes you run faster than knowing you have amazing food at the end!

We also wanted to squeeze in one last day trip to the beach. We decided to check out Carolina Beach and it did not disappoint. We had beautiful weather and a happy baby despite the start of what turned into two weeks of a cold+teething. We were so excited to take Theo to the beach for the first time, but he was skeptical about the water and didn't like the crashing waves. During our walk on the beach, Theo was hanging off of Todd's shoulder watching the water to make sure it didn't come up to high. After a while, he warmed up to the water and let Todd put his feet in. Todd and I also built sand castles for him and showed him how to play in the sand. 

I had also wanted to eat at a hole-in-the-wall place with fresh seafood served in buckets. Fortunately Todd made it happen and found the Shuckin' Shack, and it was everything I had dreamed! Our food came out in a tin bucket and we really had to work to get our food. Our bucket included shrimp, oysters, clams, crab legs, and corn.We learned how to shuck oysters and crack crab legs open. Seriously so fun! We made a mess, but it was great! The food smelled and tasted like it had just come from the ocean.

I am going to miss the beaches in North Carolina. The waves may be smaller than the west coast, but the water is warm and everywhere you go feels like the setting of a Nicholas Sparks novel. We are missing our friends and it still hasn't hit us that we aren't going back, but we are excited to get to Houston at the end of the month and settle in to our new home.

-Makenzie

Surprise Trip to Huntington Beach

My family goes to California almost every summer and since we moved to North Carolina, we didn't think we would be able to go. Then my mom decided she wanted to surprise everyone and fly us out to surprise my dad for their anniversary and as a birthday present to my sister Sheridan. We didn't think we would be able to go, but then things started falling into place; my new job told me that I would be starting on August 18th, our neighbor moved in and left us a flier about her affordable pet sitting services, etc. So we got to drop everything and party in Cali with my family for the week!

My dad, and brother and sister-in-law had no idea we were coming. We hid in the closet when they got to the house and surprised them! It was the best surprise! Kudos to my mom for keeping it a secret the whole time, it was pretty funny!

So the first day we were there we went to the beach for a couple hours then drove out to Beverly Hills to get cupcakes at our favorite cupcake shop- Sprinkles! I know they have more locations now, but this is where we first tried them and fell in love! 

Sheridan turned 21 and we celebrated with brunch at Ruby's on the pier and Dukes in Huntington Beach. Delicious seafood, a must try if you are in the area. And of course, we had more cupcakes.

Cinnamon roll french toast at Ruby's. My mouth is watering just looking at the picture.

Birthday dinner at Duke's.

The birthday girl!

We ran six miles every day, rode bikes, shopped, played games and beached! Such a fun trip, so glad we got to go!

Oh and I had to get a Pinkberry at the airport. Makes delayed flights better.

-Makenzie

Oak Island and Southport

The best part about moving to North Carolina and not having jobs yet? You get to go to the beach on a Monday! While the beaches and towns emptied from the weekend Fourth of July festivities, we enjoyed the uncrowded beach and the small town of Southport.

I haven't seen the Atlantic Ocean since I was eight, so I forgot how warm the water is compared to the Pacific Coast. We spent the day at one of the beaches on Oak Island, one of the few pet friendly beaches during the summer. We parked right by the beach and didn't have to pay for parking. Score!

Boston's first trip to the beach. He looks like he's having fun, but he HATED getting in the ocean. I had to drag him during our walk on the beach, I'm pretty sure people thought we were being abusive.

After the beach we headed to Southport. Visiting this small town feels like you're in a Nicholas Sparks movie, probably because at least three of his movies have been filmed here. We even got to visit a few of the sites from Safe Haven. I wish we could have stayed longer but it was SO hot that we were ready to leave. I am planning to come back and stay for a weekend, it's the cutest small town and would be perfect for a weekend getaway.

The shack where Katie works in the movie Safe Haven.

This place is so beautiful, I love all of the boats.

The Fourth of July festival fringe is still up and you can see the same fringe in the Safe Haven movie (we watched the movie when we got home and noticed it).

This is roughly where the shop from Safe Haven was located.

Beautiful place. I couldn't get enough of the boats and docks everywhere. Breathtaking.

-Makenzie