"What I Did on my Summer Vacation," by Tyler Self

I played on a really cool scooter.

I got to watch tv in bed, nestled in Mom's really cool pillow

I picked up seashells and tried to hear the ocean in them.  It was not successful.

I got to ride the elevator, and sometimes even got to push the buttons!  (no picture, because Mom just focused on preventing me from pushing the fun yellow "call for help" button in the elevator instead of taking my picture)


All the ladies (and some guys, too) fawned over my super cool hat

I listened really well...
like when Mama and Daddy said "Don't climb the sand dunes"

Or, "We're going to walk on the beach, but we're not going to get wet, ok?"

And, of course, "Don't lie down in the sand."

Ok, with all honesty, I asked Tyler about vacation:
What was your favorite part about vacation? "Vacation at the beach"

What was your favorite part about the beach? "Everything"

What was your favorite part about the hotel? "The elevator"

What was your favorite thing you ate? "Pizza"

What was your favorite thing about the aquarium?  "Fishies"

What was your favorite part about the battleship? "Water and crocodiles"
Um... what?  Maybe he saw something I didn't!

Overall, I think he had a really fun time.

Wordless Wednesday -- Utter Joy

(photos courtesy of Jason)

Wrightsville Vacation -- Wednesday and Thursday

Here is the longer, more detailed description of our beach vacation, along with lots more pictures.  For the first two days of the trip, see yesterday's post.

Wednesday:
We went out to the beach again Wednesday morning and did more sand-playing.  We did a little bit of playing in the water, but he was still more interested in the sand.  We went back to the pool as well.  Tyler enjoyed it again.  This time, he even went underwater!

We took showers and went to Bluewater Waterfront Grill for lunch.  It's a hotspot at night, but we opted to go at lunch when it's more low-key (and cheaper).  Jason and Tyler got the world's yummiest fried shrimp, and I got some mahi mahi (and maybe stole some of Tyler's shrimp as well).  Then, we spent the rest of the afternoon in downtown Wilmington, walking along the river walk, the Cotton Exchange, and along the roads.

we sat outside and enjoyed watching the boats

That evening, we walked along the beach again.  It was beautiful!

The "best" shot we got after lots of attempts to get Tyler to look at the camera.  He has really sensitive eyes, so I don't think he liked the setting sun being right behind me.

playing with a shell

I'm not a fan of sharing bath photos publicly, but this one was too funny not to share.  Rinsing off all the salt and sand in his inflatable duck tub

A few of Jason's photos from the evening beach walk:

This one just made us giggle.  What is that expression???

"No no no no NO!"

Thursday:
We went out for breakfast at Causeway Cafe.  It's always packed, and you definitely get the idea you're not welcome to linger long after you're done eating, but the food is delicious and crazy cheap. After that, we went back to the hotel, packed up, and checked out.

On our way out of town, we went to the battleship.  I've actually never been, so I was looking forward to it.  It was... hot.  I mean, I know it was July, and I didn't expect a fully air conditioned boat, I just forgot how little I can tolerate heat now.  Next time, we go in March or something.  Tyler was even less of a fan of the heat.  The only thing that distracted him was the fact that every doorway had a wheel.  Big fan of that!

"I'm on a boat!"

stopped and had snack in the mess hall to rehydrate and revitalize a tired, hot, cranky boy

It was just a few days, but we had a jam-packed vacation full of fun festivities and LOTS of pictures!

Wordless Wednesday -- Wrightsville Edition

Still working on getting photos together to fully describe our vacation, but here's an "awww" moment for the time being.

Wrightsville Vacation -- Overview

For vacation this year, we headed back down to Wrightsville Beach and stayed at the same place we did last year (I don't like change!), but we had a very different little boy with us.  Just like last year, I'll make this post short (as short as I can handle) and then get into more details with longer posts and pictures over the next few days.

This time last year -- less hair, less teeth, more interested in eating sand than playing with it, and was content to sit still or hold my hand and walk around (since he couldn't walk solo yet)

This Year:

Monday:
Lots and lots of rain led to not much being accomplished on Monday other than checking in, buying groceries, and taking an evening walk on the beach.

settling in

Tuesday:
We went out to the beach pretty early in the morning, splashed around in the shallow water, and played in the sand.

After showers and lunch, we went to Fort Fisher Aquarium, then walked around the Carolina Beach boardwalk.  Tuesday evening, we got sushi, then walked around some more.

Wednesday:
More beach, then we went out to Blue Water seafood restaurant for lunch (highly recommend!) and downtown Wilmington for the afternoon.  That evening, we went out for a long beach walk as the sun set.

Eating lunch at Blue Water.  This was my vain attempt to get him to smile at the camera by saying "Where's Mama?"  His response was to point at me with a quizzical "don't you know where you are?!?" expression

walking along the beach during the "magic hour"

Thursday:
We went out for brunch at Causeway Cafe (yum yum and cheap!) and to the Battleship before heading back to Raleigh.

"Wait, I've gotta take this call"

Like many people these days, we don't have a landline.  What does this mean for Tyler when he's in a room that DOES have one?  Instant infatuation.

We discovered this on vacation when Tyler would not leave the room phone alone (we almost-immediately had to unplug it).  So what did Tyler do on the phone?  "Call" Grandma and tell her various things from the trip.

My absolute favorite thing he told "Grandma"?

"Grandma, cookies all gone.  No more cookies."

Surf City

At the beginning of August, we went on vacation with all the Selfs to Surf City on Topsail Island.

We were going to be there Saturday-Tuesday.  The forecast did not look great:

Not great at all.  Oh well, they get the weather wrong all the time, right?  Um, not this time.  It rained the WHOOOOOOLE trip.

That said, it was a nice, relaxing time with family.  I actually decided to focus on relaxing rather than *brace yourself* taking photos.



That's right, you heard me.  I DIDN'T have a camera attached to my face the whole time!  In fact, I went nearly the whole trip without taking a single photo!  Instead, I played with Tyler and Sawyer.  I cooked dinner.  I rode around the island just to see what there was to see (which wasn't much...).  I watched old episodes of Hee Haw.  I went to lunch with Jason and Tyler to a place that overlooked the stormy, rainy ocean.  I relaxed.  And it was awesome.

The last night we were there, there was a break in the rain.  Jason and I had discovered a walkway earlier in the day that we thought might be a good place if there was a sunset to see that evening.  There was, and OH. MY. GOODNESS.

I mean... there are no words...

Just, just, .... no words.

As if this wasn't breathtaking enough, at one point Jason turned around and there was a RAINBOW behind us!  THIS kind of sunset AND a rainbow?  I couldn't help but say a prayer of praise to God for the beauty of His creation and for giving us this moment after a rain-logged vacation (sorry that Sara, Adam, Beth, and Jake all missed the sunset).  Incredible.

What a precious time with family.

I did take a few more photos that evening other than the sunset.

Tyler stealing Paw Paw's hat

Sawyer/Jake the Pirate/Ninja Turtle (it changed through the day) cared more about a tiny boat parked beside a store than the sunset that was captivating all of us.  Oh, and do you love his tank temporary tattoo?  Tough guy.

Beach Photo Bonanza

For those who have 30 seconds to read this post, just click on this link to see Jason's photos from our beach trip to Wrightsville.

For those who want to put off work or chores for a bit longer than 30 seconds, read ahead.  Jason has finished editing his beach photos, and I wanted to share some of them here.  I cannot say enough to express how much I love his photographic eye.  He is able to capture moments so well without having us pose (or wait 30 minutes for him to capture the "perfect" moment).

Tuesday in Wilmington

steamy and windy, right before the storm came through

much more impressive picture of the storm than the one I took, taken from the safety of the parking deck

Wednesday morning at the beach:

sand = awesome!

giddy boy (showing off all his toothies)

handing me a shell for approval

first experience with the water

I'm tempted to use this picture in my Earth Science class -- hmm, do I use it to show erosion, the importance of beach vegetation, or to discuss soil profiles?  Decisions, decisions.

Wednesday at the aquarium:

(also known as "the many faces of Tyler" collection)

(and the "many faces of Mama" collection)

 Thursday:

cooling down in a shady spot at the arboretum

first pool time (but it's ok, because Duck was there... oh yeah, and Mama)

Sunset Thursday evening:

another "hand Mama the shell" moment

looking at me off-camera to see if he is allowed to explore

exploring on the sand

*insert excited squeal here*

my idea, though Mr. Squiggly Feet took some convincing

Tyler playing with Daddy's shoes after the footprint pic

Ok, brace yourselves for some utter beauty.

Are you braced?

Wowza!