The beach is full of new and exciting experiences

This week the boys have uncovered new and exciting things to do at the beach and its surroundings.  Let's take a look at some of the things that they really enjoy doing now (in no particular order):

1.  Collecting sea shells
2.  Playing shuffleboard
3.  Jumping in the ocean
4.  Playing Putt-Putt
5.  Going to the driving range and using real clubs
6.  Playing beach volleyball


For the past couple of days, the boys have loved to walk around the beach and pick up sea shells.  They like both the really big shells as well as the pretty yet very small sea shells.  Then they put them on top of their sand sifter and pour water over them in order to get rid of the sand on the sea shells.

After playing in the indoor pool and slides, the boys meandered over to the corner of the pool area and found shuffleboard.  Mark and Granna were having an intense game when Jack came over from the pool and wanted to join in.  Then it became a doubles match, not of shuffleboard, but of ping-pong.

The first day we were here the boys were not interested in getting in the ocean.  They kept saying "Go away WATER!"  But not lately.  Jack and Mark like to walk in the ocean a few steps.  Every time they go, they get a little braver and braver and they let the water get higher and higher on them.  Today, Jack and Mark started jumping over the waves.  Jack really liked this.  In fact, he tried to jump over one wave but it was too big and he got a face full of water.  He just laughed.

On Monday night, we went to Putt-Putt for the first time.  They had a fantastic time.  After every hole, they would say, "Is there another one?"  But there was vast disappointment at the end when they made the putt on the 18th hole, the ball went away and we couldn't get it back.  How sad.

Last night, Mark and Jack went to the driving range.  There were some kid clubs the boys could hit with.  And wow could they hit the ball straight.  It was so impressive it will get its own post.

And finally, what trip to the beach would be complete without a trip to Wings/Beaches/Eagles, etc.?  We bought a couple of items that were needed and one that was "completely needed" said the boys.  It was a volleyball.  Our balcony overlooks the ocean and before that, a beach volleyball court.  They loved watching people play the game and insisted we buy a volleyball.  So we did.  Well, we did play volleyball some today, although using the beach ball was better suited to their current skill sets.

Here are some pictures from the week:

Hey Grandpa, how do I say checkmate in Spanish because I am getting ready to tell you Checkmate in Spanish!

What a rough life we have.  Relaxing under our yellow umbrella, watching the waves, checking out the girls, etc.  You know, the usual.  How YOU doin'?

Oh, there is another sea shell for me.  Excellent!  - Mark

We are looking for more sea shells!  - Mark and Jack

Granna with her two grandsons!

Where is our yellow umbrella?  - Mark

Let me show you.  - Jack

Beach Volleyball time.  I think this father-son team is ready for the 2016 Olympics.

I don't see any more sea shells.  Daddy, where are more?  - Jack

Weeeee!!!! Jumping over the waves is fun.

The relaxing family on the relaxing vacation.

OK, the bucket is clean, but I see two people are wet.

Mark is screaming "CHEESE" for this picture with Granna and Grandpa!

Jack is screaming "CHEESE" for this picture with Granna and Grandpa!

Mommy with her two sons.

Going to the Beach

After we slept following the beatdown of the Citadel, we packed the car and headed down the road to Myrtle Beach.  Heather had to get up a little earlier than the rest of us and go teach Sunday School for the 3 year olds at church (but our three year olds stayed home with Daddy as we finished packing).  After lunch at Jason's Deli (Mark didn't eat much because he was so excited to come on down to the beach), we drove down I-40 with Granna and Grandpa right behind us.  We finally arrived at our hotel around 5 PM.  Everyone loves to see the beach. 

After we checked in and unpacked a little bit, we went out to dinner.  Nothing like a good seafood dinner to get yourself started on a vacation.  There is something just better about hushpuppies at the ocean, isn't there?

We took a couple of pictures after dinner of the boys.  They are cute, aren't they?

 

Was dinner good?  Smile if you think so.

 

Anyone ready for an after dinner nap listening to the ocean waves?

 

No better way to finish the day than with some putt-putt.  - Mark

NC State vs Citadel

Another Saturday, another football game.  This past weekend it was the Wolfpack taking on the Citadel on Military Appreciation Day.  We were hoping for a blow out win to help the offense get untracked.  But before the game could start, we needed to partake in some tailagating.  This weekend, Andy and Amy's 9 year old nephew came up to the game because Andy was officiating a wedding.  He played with the boys as they threw the football and tossed the bean bags for cornhole.  Then we ate on Heather's favorite tailgate of the year.  We had:
Spinach and Artichoke Dip w/Crackers
Marianated Pork Tenderloin
Jalapeno Corn
Asian Salad
Baked Potatoes
Garlic Bread
Double Doozie Cookies

After that was done, we went to the game.  We saw a C-130 flyover before the game.  At halftime, they unleashed an American flag that was 100 yards long.  It was very impressive.  Jack and Mark were mesmerized.  There was a bagpipe band that played Amazing Grace.  Overall, very moving and inspiring stuff. 

Oh, the game.  The Wolfpack started their 5th string true freshman running back, Shadrach Thornton, and he ran 21 times for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 52-14 rout over the Bulldogs. 

All in all, a great night.

Here are a couple pictures from the day:

Is it time to eat yet?  - Jack

I need more Mommy.  - Mark

Jack and Mark listen to the bagpipes play "Amazing Grace." 

The boys marvel at how big the flag is!

First home game

Saturday night, we took the boys to the home opener for NC State.  They were playing the Jaguars of South Alabama.  This was not expected to be much of a game.  And it wasn't.  The Wolfpack jumped all over the Jaguars by the score of 28-0 at halftime and cruised to a 31-7 victory. 

The boys did good at the game.  This was the first home game that they saw the pregame show with the band as we held them back in the concourse during the last two years.  They really enjoyed that (especially Jack). 

At the start of the fourth quarter, the game was out of hand and the boys were tired.  They had been up late the previous night and were up late now at the game.  Since the Wolfpack had been putting in the reserves, we figured it was time to put the boys to bed. 

Everyone is glad that the Pack won and all of us had a good time. 

Next up, the Citadel.  Same time, this upcoming Saturday.  Stay tuned for more pictures from the boys next week.

Here are a couple of pictures from the game:

 

We are the Red and White from State and we know we are the best!   "We love this song" - Jack and Mark

 

Grandpa and Mark

 

Daddy and Jack

Scott's 4th Birthday Party

On Saturday morning, we went to Scott's 4th birthday party at Eastgate Park. Jack and Mark had a great time playing basketball and corn hole as well as playing on the playground. Jack tried the pin the car on the racetrack, but Mark decided to pass. The theme of the birthday party was Hot Wheels! It was really cute! Here are a few pics from the party:

 

It is my turn for pin the tail on the donkey (well, what passes for us 3 year olds)!  - Jack

 

 

This is how you do this Mark.  - Jack

 

 

Scott with his brother Keith and his parents, Jason and Diane.

 

 

The kids at the party while Scott shows his Wolfpack some love.

 

Mark and Scott on the modified see-saw.

 

The Willefords and the DeVaults at the at the end of the party.

 

 

 

 

 

11th Annual Kickoff Party

As is our tradition, we hosted our 11th Annual Kickoff Party last Friday night. We always host this party on the Friday night before our first home football game of the year! As usual, we all had a great time together. Years ago, this party started with just "the gang" -- 13 of us! As the years have gone by, we added children. And now that so many of our parents have moved to Raleigh, we have added our parents. So, now when we all get together for the Kickoff Party, there are 3 generations! This year, there were 18 adults and 7 children! With that being said, we forgot to take any pictures. Yes, I know it hard to believe, but Heather forgot to take any pictures! Everyone had a great time and we all agreed that the food this year was the best ever!

First night in big boy beds

Monday night was the start of a new era in the DeVault household.  Jack and Mark are no longer in their cribs.  They slept in their big boy beds.  Earlier in the day, Mommy and Daddy took down the cribs and put up their new twin beds.  The comforter is really up the boys' alley.  It has sports and more sports on it.  They were so excited when we got home from dinner and saw their beds for their first time.  We didn't know how they would sleep considering how excited they were.

They slept pretty well for their first night.  They did not get out of their beds, not even once.  Now, they did wake up a few more times than normal and they required a few more visits from us, but overall they did very well.  We hope night #2 is even better than the first night.

Here are a few pictures of their beds and the boys in them:

 

Mark's new big boy bed

 

Jack's new big boy bed

 

I am one happy boy in my new big boy bed - Mark

 

I am going to stay here forever.  - Jack

 

We are so happy, excited, and thankful we don't know what to do except smile and laugh.  - Jack and Mark

Last night in the cribs

Tonight is the last night the boys are sleeping in their cribs.  Starting tomorrow night, they will be in their big boy beds.  We are putting in twin beds tomorrow morning.  So to commenorate the last night in cribs, we took a few pictures to remember:

 

 

 

A trip to Tennessee

This weekend we visited Mimi and Poppy in Tennessee.  With Sunday being Grandparents Day, it was a good time to be in Kingsport since we hadn't been in Kingsport in a few weeks.  We drove up on Friday night.  Not only were Mimi and Poppy there, but cousins Kate and Macy along with Aunt Janet drove up on Friday as well.  Once all four cousins were together, business picked up at the house.  The kids were all excited to be all together. 

On Saturday morning, we went to Johnson City to the Hands-On Museum (for Raleigh people, it is similar to Marbles).  The kids loved it.  They really enjoyed it.   They were able to play on a play structure, sit in a car, go to a "grocery store", be a bank teller, etc.  All the children were happy and tired when we left.  We all then went to Jason's Deli for lunch.  The boys ate so good.   We aren't sure if they were just hungry or the food was that good.  It probably was a combination of the two.

We were going to take them back to Mimi and Poppy's house for a nap.  But about 4 minutes after we got in the car from lunch, we wound up with two sleeping kids.  So we decided the best idea would be to let them sleep while we drove around town.  The good part for us was that we got to listen to the second half of the Wolfpack's 10-7 victory over Connecticut.  The bad part was that it was raining.  The boys slept for about one hour, just enough time for us to listen to the vast majority of the game.  Good job Jack and Mark.

We had a good time with all of the family (except Uncle Jarett who had to work).  We look forward to going back sometime next month.

Here are a couple of pictures from the weekend:

 

Macy and Jack - say cheese

 

Look at me, I am climbing! - Jack

 

Daddy get into the action some at the Hands-On Museum.

 

 

Macy and Mark grab some items at the grocery store.

 

Am I ready for my spot on Supermarket Sweep?  - Mark

 

 

Do you have your Harris Teeter MVP card?  - Kate

 

How many hula hoops can we bring out on stage?  Need this one Jack?  - Mark

 

We are in East Tennessee.  We need to get on a tractor pronto.  - Jack and Mark

 

I love Mimi! - Jack