The Beach

Wrightsville Beach, NC

July 20, 2013

Andrew was a little timid at first and initially just stared at the ocean.  He did cry when a big wave came- I think it scared him :(

He always observes and takes in his surroundings before he gets comfortable.  Such a cutie- Love him to pieces.

Finding Seashells

Loungin' with Dad

Beach walk with Dad

Beach naps are the best

Things Andrew loved: watching the waves and people, eating fresh peach chunks on the beach, and being snuggled under his towel and blankey against us to escape from the wind.  Things Andrew didn't like: sand in his diaper, the BIG wave, and Joe and I giving him an impromptu bath on a random lawn before changing him and putting him back in the car to drive home :)

Beautiful Day

Video of our boys :)

Happy 4th of July

This past week on the 4th, we decided to drive over to Duke University's campus.  We went inside the chapel and walked around the grounds.  

This is the bell tower atop the chapel, and is the first thing you see as you drive down into campus on Chapel Drive.

Chapel doors entrance

We learned a lot about the University.  The school was founded by Methodists and Quakers in 1838 in the town of Trinity.  Then the school was officially moved to where it resides now by James Duke in 1924.  James also renamed the University after his grandfather George Washington Duke, who was anti-slavery and pro-women's rights, which we thought was pretty cool given the time period. 

Inside the Chapel

The school and chapel are multi-denominational.  The statues and stained glass are interpretations from Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, and other Christian founders/leaders.  I didn't see Joseph Smith up there though :)

Cute boys

Joe loved the architecture and started singing the "Harry Potter" theme as we walked around campus.

This plaque is at the front of the University and it states that the University "aims to assert a faith in the eternal union of knowledge and religion set forth in the teachings and character of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; to advance learning in all lines of truth".  This just touched me on a patriotic day full of celebrating our freedoms!

As we left campus the bell tower started ringing The Star Spangled Banner and Yankee Doodle Dandy- it made our 4th of July!  Yeah for freedom of religion and education!

Other updates:

Andrew is officially up on his knees.  Crawling to commence shortly.

Love this chunky boy!  Andrew will be 8 months tomorrow and now has 8 teeth!  He also LOVES swimming in the pool.  He is a fish!

 Our first North Carolina barbecue experience.  The food was pretty tasty and the culture was pretty awesome too- notice pig :)

Miss you and Love you all like crazy,

Joe, Stace & Andrew   

xoxo

  

Science Center Fun

This week we went to the Greensboro Science Center with Leah and Jenn Lewis.  Andrew's favorite part was watching all the fish and sharks swim by in the aquarium.  He was amazed!

7 and 1/2 months

Jenn (my cousin) is hugging the penguin.  Leah (her daughter) is in the stroller, and Jenn's nieces are the other two super cute girls.  We all had a great time.

Watchin' those fish

This past week Joe was reading out loud and Andrew was playing with his toys.  During his play time, Andrew scooted himself right over next to Joe and snuggled in :)

Andrew loves his bath time :)

Love Bug

Hope you all are well.  

Love you,

Joe, Stace & Andrew