Camp Invention

Next up was a week of Camp Invention for Danny and his friend, Tanner. Such a cool program where they did a lot of STEM exercises and built their own personal robots!

Carpool mom

Ice cream with Tanner, his sister Phoebe and friend

Showing off his creations

Kingston just being cute

Fathers Day and the Big Plunge

I'm always playing keep-up with the blog, so I'm a little behind on what's been happening for our fam. First up was Father's Day weekend, which was spent... moving! That's right, we took this crazy plunge and decided to sell our house and the first person who saw it just hours after it was listed (sight unseen via FaceTime) put in an offer and that was that! Madness! But we did manage to have dinner with Papa and Uncle Kevin to celebrate the wonderful "O'Connor" dads. Shout out to my amazing dad and Gpa - we love you!

We're currently renting a duplex on the Carolina Beach Lake, which offers beautiful views, hungry geese/ducks/turtles and a path to run, ride scooters and bike. A win, win to beat summer boredom. The boys call it "the lake house". Our next step is a little unsure at this moment as we finalize plans. Our hope, however, is to secure a place to renovate on a bigger lot, so we have a garage and backyard. If that falls through, it'll be plan B!

Gazebo picnic at the lake

Porch lounging

Walking distance to fun restaurants

Love the pictures the photographer got of the "white house" as the boys affectionately call it. It was such a beautiful house with so many good memories. Looking forward to what comes next for us!

Last amateur pic after I cleaned the place for the walk-through. :(

When Daddy Does Vegas

About mid-June Jimmy headed out to Vegas for 4 days for a work trip, so it was be and boys to fend for ourselves. And the only way to stay sane when you're solo day and night is to stay busy!

Pizza and gelato at Your Pie

Moments before the power went out because of a storm

Waiting for a table at Mexican restaurant

This kid

Jacks Retreat at the Boardwalk

Danny's Land Rover hung at the Myrtle Grove library

Storytime

Cape Fear Museum

It's Hot, Hot, Hot

This just in, it's hotter than you know what here in coastal NC. That's why I say thank the lord for the Hugh McRae park and splash pad.

Playing up a sweat

Danny under a bucket of water

Bubble boys

One more quick spin at the park

And then just the boys being cute because why not?

Welcome Etta Jacqueline!

I am sooo far behind on the blog! But starting where I left off, a couple days shy of her due date, I wake up to texts from Alex that she's in labor (from super early AM) and "headed to the hospital" (about 6am). It was a Friday and also Danny's last day of school. I thought I'd be cool to just let her be born and then go see her, but I was instantly in panic mode and just HAD to get to Chapel Hill. Luckily, Marisol offered to sit with the boys during their naps and until Jimmy could get home, so I could book it! Good for Ali, but bad for me, I got a text when I was just a couple miles away from the hospital that she was just born! So I squirmed around in my chair in the waiting room for about 30-45 mins before Dieter gave me the go ahead to come back. Cue instantly in love with this little beauty!

I'm such a proud sister and aunt - my mom was in the delivery room and said that Alex did great and she's since been just a great, natural mom! Only complaint is that she doesn't send me more pictures - I'm talking multiple times a day is what I need.

Here are other scenes from Etta's first 12 hours or so on this earth.

Nana aka "Holly Etta" with her namesake

Happy Gpa

Can I keep her?

Proud Uncle

Late dinner that night at Bar Taco

The next AM, one last snuggle before back to CB for my boys

And finally ready to go home from the hospital and looking like a little china doll.

Good work Ali and Dieter! Can't wait to get my hands on her again soon!