We just got home from a nice relaxing vacation! We almost made it through the week with no drama... almost.

We like to take the boys on vacation right when they are finished with school each year when we can, the school year is long and hectic and it’s a great way to end the year. They got out of school Friday, June 1st and we left for the beach that afternoon.

Our first stop was Carolina Beach, NC. My parents actually live there but this time we rented a condo and went with Steve’s long time friend Jay, his wife Danielle and their 18 month old baby, Jonah.

A week prior to leaving for vacation it showed rain almost the entire time we were there, but it ended up being absolutely beautiful every single day!

Hubby likes to wake up early and catch the sunrise. I’m more of a sunset girl... because well... mornings. Here’s one of the sunrises he captured, almost looks like a sunset.

The boys had a great time jumping the waves, bogey boarding, and getting way too much sun! I didn’t take nearly enough pictures on the beach because phones/cameras and water and sand scare me and don’t really mix well. One night we went out to dinner and were able to spend time with my mom and long time family friend Pat, who also resides down there.

Our last day in Carolina Beach we stopped at the Aquarium before heading to our last leg of the trip. The last time we had been to the aquarium was when we got engaged almost 9 years ago. If you've never been to the aquarium in Fort Fisher, I recommend it! They've even added a dinosaur exhibit and it's pretty cool and very realistic.

Our last part of our trip we headed to Emerald Isle, which is about 1.5 hours down the coast. We went and met up with Steve's sister and her kids. The water in Emerald Isle is so blue and clear it's almost like being in the Caribbean. A few hours into our trip, Cohen and his cousin Arabella were jumping waves and having the time of their life. Next thing we know cohen is screaming bloody murder from the water! I run to him and he's hysterical. Come to find out he got stung by a sting ray! Poor guy.. his foot was gushing blood and he was in extreme pain. The EMT's came and checked him out but unfortunately there isn't much that can be done. They had us soak his foot in warm water and said eventually that would help draw the venom out. Within 2 hours he was better, but it did take a few days before he was back to normal.

Overall, it was a great, relaxing vacation that was over wayyyy to quickly! We'll be back in Emerald Isle in July for a family vacation with Hubby's side of the family! This time with some heavy duty water shoes! Stay tuned~