Candids

Disclaimer:  These photos are awful.  Out of focus, messy background, poor lighting.  But that's kinda the point.  Just wanted to inform you that I know these are bad photos before you proceed.

People have asked what it's like being a family of four now.  This kinda helps give you a glimpse of our daily life.  Holly was in a particularly good mood, so I wanted to get some pictures of Jason with both the kids.  This is what I got...

At first, Tyler seemed game.
Me: "Oh, let's get that blanket out of the way."

Tyler decided to help.  Daddy and Holly just kept doing what they were doing.

Tyler "helping" by throwing all the pillows in the floor.

Everyone (well, except for Holly) distracted by the tv

At this point, Tyler was totally over the "let me take your picture" thing

...and proceeded to jump on the couch, which he knows isn't allowed (that's half the fun, though, right?)

*sigh*  Guess I'll have to try again later for a family photo

Snapshot of Time

It was not a great day.

In the arboretum parking lot, Tyler had insisted on being strolled.  Two minutes later, he wanted nothing to do with the stroller, which meant I had to chase after him AND lug an empty stroller behind me!  Seriously, someone invent a stroller that levitates or shrinks or something when your kid isn't in it.  I hate pushing an empty stroller.  We hadn't left the house until after 10, so Tyler and I sat on a bench so he could eat a snack (and I could take a rest!).  Problem was, I hadn't brought myself a snack, and it was nearing lunch time, and I was getting hangry.  More like hungry-cranky, but that's not nearly as catchy of a term.  I was sweaty.  I was losing my patience.

Then, Jason called us over because he wanted to take a picture.  I was way not in the mood, but posed for one anyway.






Photos amaze me sometimes.  I usually think of them perfectly capturing a moment.  This day, though, I didn't want to capture that particular moment.  I wanted to leave and eat lunch and sit in my air-conditioned car with a fully strapped-in toddler.

When Jason got his pictures back (this is another film shot), I was shocked by the photo.  This picture didn't summarize the day we were having, but it caught something much better instead.

I'm not normally a fan of B&W, but love this photo.  Besides, getting my eyes open and Tyler looking (and smiling!) at the camera all in one shot is a miracle.  Definitely one of my favorite pictures Jason has taken with his film camera.


What a beautiful snapshot of time.  Because this happened about two seconds later...

Yes, he is jamming his fingers in my eyes.  Ah, the precious moments of motherhood.

Wrightsville Vacation -- Monday and Tuesday

Here is the longer, more detailed description of our beach vacation, along with lots more pictures.

Monday:
What is it with us and rainy beach trips?  We constantly fought rain last year, too.

We ran into several patches of TORRENTIAL rain on our way down to Wrightsville.  I kept checking the radar on my phone and saying "Ok, we should be done now," but then another storm would pop up unexpectedly.  So, not much happened on Monday.  We drove around until it was time to check in, then unpacked, bought groceries, and ate back at the room.  The weather cleared up after that, so we walked out on the beach that evening.

No more rain once we finally checked in, just ominous clouds

taken with Jason's film camera; love the old-school look!

Tuesday:
Jason woke up really early and got some amazing shots of the sunrise with his film camera.  I wanted to mention that because there is a lot of uncertainty with film cameras.  Am I getting the shot?  The answer was a resounding "yes!"

A little later in the morning (maybe 8:30?), we headed out to the beach.  Tyler loved playing in the sand, but wasn't too keen on the water.  We played in the wet sand for a while, then moved up to our bag and played in the dry sand.  Daddy made "volcanoes" and dug holes that filled in when the waves washed over us.  So exciting!

Not as afraid this year, but still not overly keen about the ocean

Digging holes in the wet sand

"Whoa!  What's happening to my hole?"

Taking a second for a Mom-and-Dad photo

Meanwhile, this happened... when Mom and Dad aren't watching

After the beach, we swam in the indoor pool (the outdoor pool was too crowded), and Tyler had a big time!  He loved floating around and Jason "throwing" him.  We had the whole pool to ourselves, so it was pretty awesome.

After showers and lunch (sandwiches in the room because we're super fancy folks), we went to the Fort Fisher aquarium.  We learned last year to NOT go on rainy days, so we met a much smaller crowd this year since it was sunny outside.  Tyler seemed to enjoy it more this year (he frustratingly focused on our backpack straps and other random things last year instead of the fish we had paid to see), which made US much happier!  All these photos are courtesy of Jason, whose photography skills can handle low-lighting and glass tanks.

concave glass -- definitely caught us both off-guard!

We also stopped at the Carolina Beach boardwalk, which was honestly a bit of a letdown, but Jason did take a few good pictures of us that I wanted to share.

That evening, we went to one of our favorite sushi places, Bento Box.  They have lovely outdoor seating.  Tyler had fried rice and veggie tempura, while I had some of his food and a shrimp tempura roll.  Jason, enjoying the "Meg is pregnant, so we don't share rolls" freedom, got two spicy rolls that made him break into sweats.  Somehow he claims it was a pleasant experience.  I just don't get it.

More film pics:

 After stuffing ourselves, we walked around Mayfaire Shopping Center, going in a few shops to get a reprieve from the heat (my suggestion!).  Tyler's night was made when we saw not 1, not 2, but THREE parked fire trucks in the parking lot!  We walked by them, pointing out the ladders and hoses.  He was thrilled!

We were worried about Tyler sleeping on vacation since he was in a new inflatable bed that he could get in and out of.  We discovered a perfect combination -- exhausting him during the day and letting him watch some Peppa Pig right before bed (about an hour after his usual bed time).  Success!

Tomorrow, the rest of the trip

Duke Gardens

Photography is a bit different for us these days.

Jason has really gotten into film photography, so it takes him a while to get all the settings correct for his photos (unlike digital, where you get a preview and can say "oh, the lighting isn't right" or "oh, that's not quite in focus").  I sometimes bring my camera, but spend most of my time with Tyler.  Things are a little difficult as the "two-ness" is coming out in him (thankfully his current rebellion is sitting down in protest instead of running off or throwing a tantrum *knocks on wood*).  Plus, I'm not really supposed to pick him up, so there's a lot of chasing around my independent little guy.

All that said, I did manage to take some pictures back in April (maybe?  sorry, it's been so long, I can't remember) at Duke Gardens.

Climbing on park benches = world's most awesome thing

There were lots of "Tyler running off" pictures for me to choose from!

Hey, I DID manage to photograph something other than Tyler while I was there!

... because this was happening at the same time

teaching the difference between "touch the flower" and "pick the flower"... it's a work in progress (sorry, Duke Gardens folks)

Self portrait (with goofy-faced boy)

New Bern -- Jason's Photos

To be honest, I was mostly on strolling/wrangling Tyler duty during our recent trip to New Bern.  Jason managed to get some pictures of what we went to see (not just of Tyler!).

waterfront

ceiling of gazebo/pavillion

the Tyler-wrangling I mentioned before

cool panoramic photo Jason stitched together in Photo Shop

playing cannons outside of Tryon Palace

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.