Charleston/Folly Beach

Logan had a long weekend off from work (MLK weekend). We decided a week before that we should take a fun trip with the kids. We ended up heading down to Charleston/Folly Beach which is 3 hours away. It was so fun! We felt like real grown-ups because we got a hotel room for the night with the kids. It was the first time we had ever done a family trip (besides camping).

We love family trips that involve extended family too, but there's just something about going with just our family. It's pretty special and memory building. I hope this is something we can do many times throughout the years. We love the Charleston/Folly Beach area. Logan and I went once before while interning in South Carolina a few summers ago. This time around, we took the kids and showed them around.

Details of the trip: We didn't do any of the museums. We figured the kids would do better outside running around than inside. Plus, the weather was perfect -- mid-60's and sunny! We ended up walking around to see some popular sites, and then happened upon a little neighborhood park for the kids to play at.

We got lunch at Folly Beach. We were looking forward to some delicious fish tacos, but the restaurant we love was closed for renovations. We ended up going to Rita's for a quick (overpriced) lunch of burgers and fries. It was decent, and they served the kid entrees on a frisbee which was a nice touch. After lunch, we headed across the street to the beach/pier. It was a bit windy at this point being so close to the water, but we played on the sand for a bit looking for sea shells (Hudson found a sea star which was the highlight of the trip). We also walked on the pier where we saw a fisherman catch two baby sharks. That was pretty cool. We headed home after that and the kids napped most of the way home.

We can't wait to get back to this area again, but I think it will be more enjoyable in the spring/summer time when the weather is warmer for swimming. :)

Waterfront Park

 Walking through the city

 Rainbow Row

 Hudson took the picture of us below.

Battery Park

(Hudson loved pretending to launch the canyons. He kept saying, "aim....FIRE!!") 

Folly Beach

(about 20 minutes from Charleston)

2014 Recap

I love love doing these yearly recaps (albeit about two months late this time). It's fun to look back and see everything we accomplished individually and as a family. 2014 proved to be a busy, but happy year for our little family. We learned so much, experienced so much, and began our new journey in a new city this year. Here are the highlights:

Abby:
-started exercising regularly (Pilates and running)
-completed two 5Ks and her first half marathon
-spent her first weekend away from the kids (girls' trip to Williamsburg)
-traveled to NYC twice (over the summer and for Macy's Day parade)
-started volunteering with a local charter school
-served as a Primary teacher (church assignment)


Logan:
-graduated from NC State with his Master's in Analytics
-got a "big boy" job working for a consulting firm
-completed a 5K, two Tough Mudder races (here and here), and a half marathon
-learned wood work (dining room bench and garage shelving units)
-traveled way too much in the spring for job interviews/recruiting (Utah, New York, Mexico, Chicago, Charlotte)
-served in Elder's Quorum Presidency and still serving (church assignment)

Hudson:
-turned 3 years old
-still loves dinosaurs, animals, and books
-started preschool two days a week
-officially potty trained
-had his first soccer season
-excited to be a Sunbeam (at church)

Amelia:
-turned 1 years old (smash cake/1 year old pics here)
-learned to walk
-still loves her binky
-can say "mama" and "dada" and "bobba (milk)"
-loves to eat anything and everything
-had her first ER visit (not an accomplishment or highlight by any means, just had to put it in here)

Together:
-moved from Raleigh to Charlotte
-celebrated our 5 year family anniversary
-had lots of visitors come to Charlotte (mainly our families and the Wrights)
-made/making new friends in Charlotte
-traveled to AZ for Heidi and Matt's wedding
-annual Corbett beach trip
-Thanksgiving in Virginia
-second Christmas at home

(All photos taken by Jen Korth Photography)

Other recaps..... 2013  2012  2011  2010

NYE in Raleigh

Lucky us we got invited back to the annual Harris NYE party. We have been going since it started in 2011. The Harris family knows how to throw a party. This year there was a magic show and pinata for the kids, annual boys vs. girls game, chocolate tasting, yummy food/drinks, and a full house! We partied hard. The kids did pretty well staying up so late too -- thank goodness!  It was so fun to see many of our Raleigh friends and catch up.

Stole this picture from my friend, Christy, because I didn't take any pictures at all of the party. 

This is when the kids did the pinata. 

We also had the opportunity to stay with the Wrights and the Williams came down from D.C. too. It was a reunion with some of the best of friends! 6 adults, 6 kids staying in a two bedroom townhouse. Fun times! The only downside was the epidemic going on throughout the house. Seriously. I'm pretty sure at least one person from each family got sick. We ended up leaving early just because everyone was not feeling well. We made a quick stop to Downtown Raleigh where we went to the Museum of Natural Science. Hudson missed this place so much! I'm glad we were able to go for an hour before heading back home. Can't wait to go visit Raleigh and friends again!

 

All the besties together watching Frozen. Duh!

 (just missing Olivia -- I think she was napping).

These two are so stinkin' cute!

At the museum. 

We wore the kids out long enough for them to crash in the car ride home -- success!

Christmas 2014

Ok, so Christmas.....

We had our church ward Christmas party complete with a nice dinner and program. It was a fun time. I kind of like our small ward; it sure makes things really cozy and special when we all get together. The kids really liked being part of the nativity story.

Then we had our Christmas program at church. I sure love the Christmas season and being able to celebrate the Savior's birth. He truly is THE gift and because of Him I get the sweet opportunity to be with my family forever. 

This was our second time staying home for Christmas. We loved it. It's so nice waking up in our own beds and having it be Christmas morning. It's so magical. I especially love getting everything ready for Christmas. I know that might be overwhelming for some, but I really enjoy sending/receiving Christmas cards, cleaning, cooking/baking, shopping, etc. It's such a fun time of the year and sometimes I wish it would last longer.

We were so lucky to have my brother come down from Virginia to visit. He had a few days off work, so he stayed for a couple of days which was so nice! We loved having him in Charlotte with us.

Hudson LOVED helping make sugar cookies. We made a lot this year! He was definitely part of the whole process. It was messy, but watching him get excited about helping made it worth it. 

rolling the dough

Our Christmas themed mantle

We were bummed about not having ANY snow. So, we made this snowman on the door. He's been up all winter.

mailing a letter to Santa at the library

We also went to the Ballantyne Hotel for the Gingerbread Lane. So fun! 

This was one of our favorites! So pretty!

Frozen themed Gingerbread house

Christmas Eve. pizza making for dinner -- yummy! 

We like this pizza making tradition because the kids love it so much, and it's EASY!

opening up jammies from Grammy and Grandpa Corbett

cutest little elves

This is one of my favorite pictures from Christmas!

Elf family

After Christmas Eve dinner and getting in our jammies, we got in the car and drove to Hillard St. for this neighborhood light display. It was so cool. 

Christmas Eve magic 

Christmas morning -- Amelia was up super early, so Logan woke up with her and they played in her room. Well, Logan fell back asleep by accident and woke up to clattering downstairs. She had made her way down the stairs (a FIRST) and found her stocking. So sweet. 

 Christmas morning -- we had the missionaries over for breakfast and played with some of the new toys the kids got. 

Amelia loves this new toy of hers. 

Christmas afternoon -- Uncle Tommy got Hudson his new bike helmet, so we went for a walk to Romare Bearden. 

at Romare Bearden showing Tommy the city

love this girly and that city behind her

The Saturday after Christmas, we took Tommy on a little day hike at Kings Mountain about 45 minutes away. It was a beautiful day for December. It was a 4 mile hike total, and we were so glad to have my brother with us. Hudson was such a trooper for doing most of the walking, but he got tired at the end and we had to take turns carrying him. Next time we will get another backpack. 

Next post: New Years Eve in Raleigh! (Almost done posting about 2014 -- sorry for the delay)