Vacation Recap!

We are back from our awesome vacation! Warning: lots of pictures ahead! We had so much fun and I don't want to forget anything. We started out our vacation in Pinehurst, North Carolina. We visited my Great Aunt Judy. She is my Nana's sister and she reminds me so much of her. My Nana passed away in 2007 and I miss her so much.  We also visited with my cousin Louise and her kids. Louise and her friend Betsy own a fabulous women's boutique in Aberdeen called Eloise so I also did some shopping while I was there too. :) This is Kennedy reading with her cousin Will.

 Trying on Louise's shoes.

 Family photo. The only person that's missing is Nick of course and Louise's oldest son, Jack. He is going to Auburn in the fall and he was there for some informal fraternity rush events. We missed seeing him!

 Louise and her husband Wayne are members at a fabulous country club in town so we took advantage of the pool while we were there. Kennedy really enjoyed their sweet potato fries.

 We also ate at a really great barbeque place called "The Flying Pig." They had cornhole and Kennedy had a blast playing with her cousins. I absolutely love any kind of restaurant that has entertainment like this for her while we wait for food, it makes life so much easier!

 After our visit in Pinehurst, we drove down to Myrtle Beach. My all time favorite beach is Isle of Palms, which is an absolutely gorgeous beach but Myrtle Beach comes in a close second because there is so much to do there. We stayed at the Breakers North Tower Resort, which was amazing! We got there around 11 and treated ourselves to some brunch at Flapjacks pancake house.

 

 Absolutely in love with Kennedy's coverup from Eloise! I have a matching one. :)

 We headed for the beach and just like last year, Kennedy loved it! We spent the whole afternoon there!

 That night we headed to the Family Kingdom amusement park. When I was a child, I used to come to Myrtle Beach every summer with my dad, stepmom, half siblings and some family friends. We would always ride rides at the Pavilion but unfortunately it has been torn down. I do remember us going to the Family Kingdom a few times though and riding The Swamp Fox roller coaster, good times! I can't wait until Kennedy is old enough to ride it.  We did ride some other rides though and Kennedy had so much fun! I was terrified to let her go on anything by herself but she did great on the cars! The swings she was not so sure about which surprised us because she loves to swing. She also loved the Merry Go Round and the antique cars.

 The next morning it was raining, booo! We headed over to Ripley's Aquarium but unfortunately, everybody had the same idea as us. It was PACKED. Kennedy really didn't get to see any of the exhibits except this moving shark tunnel because there were so many people there. They did have a play area for toddlers but really the only thing she was able to do was play with the wheels because there were so many older kids there.

 Later that day, the rain cleared up and Grandma, Paw-Paw, Uncle Jon, Aunt Rachael and Tristan came into town, yay! We headed to the beach for a few hours but Mommy forgot the camera.

 That night we attempted to take a family photo on our beautiful balcony but it was very windy. We headed to Planet Hollywood for dinner and then to Broadway at the Beach. Kennedy rode the cars again and loved them all over again. Mommy, Daddy, Paw-Paw and Tristan were also crazy enough to ride these insane rockets that go very high up in the air and spin you upside down, lots of fun!

 The next day we spent the entire day on the beach. Kennedy did go up to the condo from 12-2 to nap but Aunt Rachael had a headache so she stayed up there with her. I parked my chair in the water, put my toes in the sand and read my book for 2 glorious hours. Rachael called me when Kennedy woke up and I went and got her and brought her right back down to the beach. Kennedy loved every minute of it! Perfect beach day!

 

BTW, I was reading The Chaperone by Laura Moriarity and it is a must read! It is set in the 1920's and is about a woman who is a chaperone to a teenage girl trying to make it big in New York City. It is also about this woman's past and some secrets in her own life.

 That night we left Tristan and Kennedy with Grandma and Paw-Paw and had a "parents night out" at Broadway at the Beach. We enjoyed some daquris at Wet Willies and then ended up at a bar called Froggy Bottomz and watched an 80's cover band perform. Tons of fun!

 The next day was our last day. :( We checked out of the condo and headed to take a walk down the pier. We had an absolutely amazing trip. We are so glad that Kennedy loves the beach as much as we do! We can't wait for many more beach trips in the future!

 



Our Swimming Diva!

We wrapped up swimming lessons this week! Kennedy was so excited to get her certificate! This week she really started kicking her legs and splashing so I was very proud of her. :) We will definately be doing the "Mommy and Me" class again next summer!

 

I didn't do a "Five on Friday post" today because I have been packing like crazy!  We leave for vacation tomorrow. We are  going to spend two days with my family in North Carolina and then on Monday morning we are headed to Myrtle Beach for 5 days. I am so excited! Kennedy had just turned 8 months old when we took her to the beach last year and she loved it so I think she will have even more fun this year.

 

I will end this short post with a throwback to last years North Carolina/Myrtle Beach trip:

 This is is Kennedy with her Great-Great Aunt Judy.

 It was so windy this day and the waves were out of control but our brave little baby loved it!

 Kennedy looks so little!!!!

 

 

I hope everyone is having a great week! I will post about our trip when we get back. :)

 

 

 



Lora Ann's graduation/Happy late Father's Day!

This past Saturday, we drove up to Asheville, NC for Nick's cousin Lora Ann's high school graduation party. It's about a 4 hour drive. Kennedy is a pro at long trips but only if we have our secret weapon, the portable DVD player. She took a 2 hour nap and then was content with watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Little Einsteins DVDs. Kennedy had a blast at the party playing with the balloons and her cousins, Tristan, Tabatha and Marley.

 Nick's parents have 6 grandchildren and Tristan is the only boy. He does so well with it though and is really good with the younger cousins. Kennedy loves her Tristan!

 The beautiful graduate, Lora Ann!

 Love these pictures of the cousins! So sweet! Can't wait for many more memories of these girls growing up together.

 Kennedy was okay sharing Tristan with Marley but when Tabatha got in her space, she got a little upset. LOL. Also-funny story about the play phone Marley is holding. Marley kept saying that some "bad girls" were on the phone and they were hiding in the woods trying to ruin the party. She would go up to people at the party and hand them the phone and say "it's the bad girls! They are hiding in the woods!" My SIL Gretchen and I were laughing so hard we about peed ourselves.

 The first picture was about the best one we got of the whole Kaune family. I look ridiculous because I am trying to hold a very squirmy toddler. Posed pictures are about impossible these days with Kennedy.

 Austin, the family dog came and crashed the next couple of pictures. Not to mention, Tristan decided to be a typical teenager and make hand gestures.

Father's Day was very low key for us. Kennedy didn't get to bed until 9:30 Saturday night, which is 2 hours past her normal bedtime. She was up at 7:45 the next morning but was not a happy camper.  She is a lot like me, likes to be in a routine and likes her sleep!

 

We gave Nick his Father's Day present which was a card and a Cabellas gift card. We just got a Cabellas in Augusta and Nick has been dying to go so he was very excited. We ate breakfast at the hotel with Nick's parents then hit the road. When we got home, Kennedy napped and Nick and I unpacked and relaxed. We are very fortunate that our church offers a 5 pm service, so we headed to church later that afternoon.  It was an amazing service! The band 2nd Edition from Lee University led us in worship and our lead pastor preached an inspiring sermon geared towards dads. Sadly, I was a bad Mommy and didn't take ANY pictures yesterday of Nick and Kennedy. Probably because Kennedy was in a bad mood most of the day and I didn't even want to attempt. They did have a photographer at church who took some pictures but Kennedy was fussing in them.  Sigh. So here's a throwback to one of my all time favorite pictures of Kennedy and  her daddy. Kennedy was about a week old in this picture. I love how she is looking up at him! Melts my heart!

 Of course a Father's Day post  wouldn't be complete without a shoutout to my two wonderful dads! My biological dad and my stepdad Karl. My biological dad is home from rehab after having his stroke. He is still struggling with relearning to use his left side, so continue to keep him in your prayers. He will get in home therapy 3 times a week. He was able to get a wheelchair and two of his friends are building him a wheelchair ramp at home. I called to wish him a Happy Father's Day and he sounded tired but happy that I called. We are all coming to terms with the fact that he may not walk again but are trying to keep optimistic and encourage him not to give up. I hate that he is having to learn this hard lesson about what alcohol can do to your body, but he's my dad and I love him unconditionally and I know he loves me too!

 

I called my stepdad too and we mostly discussed all the fun things we are looking forward to doing in exactly one month when we take our trip to visit my parents in Oregon! So excited! Karl has been such an excellent father to me. He stepped up to the plate numerous times when my dad was absent in my life and I love him so much!

This picture was taken on my wedding day. I had both my dad (left) and Karl (right) walk me down the aisle. So special to have both of them give me away.

 

Hope everyone else had a great Father's Day weekend!

5 on Friday-Yay for Summer!

Happy Friday! We have had an awesome first week of summer! Here's what's been going on in our "neck of the woods."

1. Have you read The Fault in Our Stars?  To be honest, I had never even heard of this book until one of my co-workers told me about it a few weeks ago. I have been invited to go see the movie next week with some girls from work so I started reading the book Wednesday. It is sooo good! My reading time is limited to nap time and after Kennedy goes to bed and I am already almost finished with it in two days. Definately a must read!

 

 2. Speaking of movies, I saw Malificent this week with my sister in law Rachael. Sleeping Beauty was always one of my favorite Disney movies when I was little and I always thought Malificent was so scary! This movie did not disappoint. Angelina Jolie was fabulous in the role. It is quite different from the original but had a great storyline. I really enjoyed it.

3. Alright so no Bachelorette this week due to the Hilary Clinton special but I have to dish on last week's episode. Eric, God rest his soul, I think was a little naive about how this show works. I am going to have to take Andi's side on that whole arguement. I think if you want to see a fake bachelorette, rewatch Emily Maynard's season. She has since admitted in interviews that she only did the show for the trips and to be famous. Call me crazy but I really think Andi is there for the "right reasons" and "to find love." Hehe, sorry had to use the stereotypical lines. Oh and the Boyz II Men date? BEST DATE EVER!

4. We took a trip out to Waynesboro, GA to visit my Uncle Karl and Aunt Gail on their farm this week. If you have been following my blog for awhile you know that we have taken Kennedy out there a few times before and she always has such a great time! Both Uncle Karl and Aunt Gail have been having health issues. Aunt Gail is currently undergoing chemo for a brain tumor. They are trying to sell the farm because it's just too much for them. They have lived there ever since I can remember so it will be sad to see them go but I know it's what's best.  We are cherishing the time we have left on the farm. Kennedy was reunited with her buddy, R2, the donkey. She had a blast "riding him" and pulling him around the barn. Wherever Kennedy went, R2 followed. It was the cutest thing! We also visited with the horses and Kennedy loved riding on the golf cart.

5. So what else has Kennedy been up to during her first week of summer break?

 Helping Daddy in the yard.

 Playing in her new playhouse. Side note-yes, my husband lives in white tank tops in the summertime. It is what it is.

 Aaaand, her absolute favorite thing this week? Swimming lessons! She was so excited to go yesterday that she grabbed Daddy's keys and headed for the door! If you have a YMCA near you, I highly reccomend the "Mommy and Me" class. The class is for 6 months to 3 years old. Kennedy is surprisingly the youngest in the class. She loves the songs and being in the water. They have been working with us on kickboards, trying to get them to learn to kick. My little diva just wants to lay on the kickboard and float around, no kicking for us. But, I am okay with that. I didn't sign up for the class for her to "learn to swim" at 18 months. I did it for her to be  even more comfortable in the water and to have fun, which she definately is!

How has your summer been so far? Be sure to link up with Christina, Darci, Natasha and April to tell us all about it!