Pergola.

Ever since I have been a homeowner I have dreamed...yes, dreamed of having a pergola.  I always have wanted an additional structure with a simple architecture that adds to the yard.  A little oasis for me.  Our home is east/west facing, and our backyard in the summer just bakes! We couldn't  really enjoy having dinner out on the patio without roasting to death. Believe me, we have tried many times. So this little pergola provides just enough shade to keep it cool, yet it still filters the beautiful sunshine through. Every time I look out my kitchen window I cannot help but smile.  Brady and I wanted one last year for our 10 year anniversary but, whoa. It was out of our price range.  We were lucky enough to have a good friend that just started a pergola business on the side, build one for us. We debated back and forth for a while and finally decided to go for it. And I am so happy we did. Happy 11th Anniversary to us! It is something we will enjoy forever, we spend a lot of time outside in the yard, my boys in particular. Now we have a shady place to linger, and I think it is pretty dreamy....

Vacation.

Virginia Beach, V.A.

We just returned home from a wonderful family vacation.  It was fun and filled with images of my boys splashing in the salty waves and running with sand between their toes. They really turned into beach bums. When I saw the ocean I realized how much I had missed it. So beautiful and the sound of the waves crashing onto shore is so tranquil.

We also took a day to visit Brady's Aunt and Uncle. Yes, this is their home. Right on the water,  it was beautiful but HOT!! Really, the hottest I have ever been but worth it. The boys spent the day jet skiing in the ocean. They had a ball.

Brady headed up to D.C. for a day with some of the family. Although I wished so bad I could have gone, I stayed behind to take the boys to the beach. He had a good time, it is so pretty there.

A visit to the naval museum. Nauticus was incredible. Brayden even got to walk on the USS Wisconsin. This ship is huge. It was used in battle in the first Gulf War.

We also drove down to Hatteras, N.C. Stunning. Charming houses, sandy white beaches, and I even found a darling antique shop. Couldn't resist picking up a couple of items. I will post about those later. The boys took a day and did a deep sea fishing outing. A great catch, we later cooked and ate fresh fish until we all had our fill. Yum.

Such a charming lighthouse...

Brayden saw this on the way there and we promised to stop on the way back and let him go Grave Digger crazy!  Monster truck heaven for 2 little boys.  It actually was neat to see all the big trucks being worked on and loaded into these giant semi's for touring around the country. There was a small petting zoo which Greyson loved as well.

The roads are lined with these yummy markets. Make your mouth water. We also hit a couple of thrift stores. These are things that give me simple joy.

We had a wonderful time together. I still have so many more pictures and could go on forever on what we did and saw. But, the boys were amazing.  They traveled well and were so very good. Thanks to our family for a wonderful, memorable time together. As you can see our boys were all tuckered out by the last day. We came home from Busch Gardens amusement park , laid them on the bed, and this is what they ended up looking like. Just snuggling together, melt my heart. 

What a great trip!

Le Bain.

Just a little bathroom update.

I really like the paint, it feels so fresh.