June 2023

June 1st everyone worked.   Nick was at the car dealership.  Jeremy worked in the garden.  Steve was at his desk at home programming away.  Avian and I were both at school - my tying up the loose ends from the year and Avian working with the tech team to get the tech ready for next year.  

June 2nd, Avian and I headed for Lynchburg to attend Aleena's graduation.  Since our regular hotel was already booked, we stayed at the Tru by Hilton and I must say it was a great place.  The graduation was held at Liberty University in their arena.  Aleena sang a solo with the choir and did a fantastic job.  We cheered when she went across the stage and posed for pictures outside.  Afterwards we all went to Olive Garden for dinner.  I got to know Aleena's family.  They are very nice.  We got back to our hotel by 10:30 and went right to sleep as it had been a full day.  

The television welcomed us into our room.  

Avian especially loved the hanging chairs in the lobby.  

June 3rd we woke up and headed home.  While we were gone, Steve had found an estate sale and an old toolbox which he brought home and fixed up.  It turned out great.  Jeremy spent the day at a videogame tournament.  Nick went on a bike ride and then to the gym.  

June 5th we had the O'Briens over for dinner.  Holly brought her notary stuff and we signed all Avian's name change papers and got them notarized.  It was the final step before turning the paperwork in.  

June 6th Jeremy and I deadheaded the iris and then made some of his pants into shorts for the summer.  I cleaned the truck and Xterra in preparation for our beach trip.  Avian went with Alex to their gym and played volleyball.  Both Avian and Alex are getting ready for school tryouts in August.  Nick worked a very long day in order to get everything done before having time off to go to the beach.  

June 7th Avian, Nick and Steve worked.  Jeremy's mushrooms are growing really well.  I was surprised that the holes in the bucket method worked.  I worked on Dad's quilt in the morning and then went to a data meeting at school.  From there I went for my annual visit with Dt. Moll.  I am happy to report that I am still boring,  When Avian got home from work they wanted to get their papers turned in to the court.  We drove to the courthouse in uptown (without any traffic), found a parking spot, got right through security and the elevator was waiting for us.  There was a moment of panic when the lady had to look up where Huntersville was because if Huntersville wasn't in Mecklenburg County then one of our character witnesses would not be valid.  Luckily, Huntersville WAS in Mecklenburg.  We then went downstairs to pay the fees and were walking out the door of the courthouse 45 minutes after entering.  I thought we were going to be there a lot longer.  It was a really smooth process, which I think we REALLY appreciated since we had to jump through so many hoops to get to this point.  We had time left to stop by the dentist and pick up my flipper so I would be ready to have my tooth pulled.  We went to Sipco on the way home to celebrate!  Back at home, Steve finally figured out how to get the program to do what he needed it to do.  It was a good day!

Paperwork is in. One step closer to legally being Avian. 

The obligatory from the top picture.  

June 8th, my nephew, Eric, and Kate were married today.  My mom said the ceremony was beautiful.   The weather cooperated and the day was a success.  I cleaned the bathrooms (no small undertaking when the kids' bathroom is involved).  Jeremy mowed the lawn.  We spent the day getting everything ready for Shaun and Kathy's visit.  

June 10th, Steve and I went to the airport to pick up Shaun and Kathy.  We surprised them at the baggage claim.  It was also fun to see our friends, Chestin and Sharron.  They had just arrived, on the same flight, from their daughters wedding in Utah.  Back at home, the kids were ecstatic to have their aunt and uncle in the house.   While Steve and I stopped in at one of my seminary student's graduation parties, the kids took Shaun and Kathy on a little tour that included a stop at Sipco for drinks. We had dinner and went to bed as we wanted to be on the road early the next morning.  

June 11th was drive to the beach day.  We took three vehicles because Nick really wanted to drive his car.  We put Shaun in the Mazda with Nick in case Nick wanted a break.  Kathy, Jeremy and I were in the truck.   Steve and Avian were in the Xterra.  The drive was a good opportunity for Shaun and Kathy to get to know Jeremy and Nick a little better.  We stopped at the Scuppernog and walked the nature trail.  Kathy and I were behind Nick and Jeremy when we heard them singing.  They had found a turtle on a log and were so moved, they composed a song on the spot.  It was hilarious.  

Taking a break after walking the nature trail. 

Turtle on a log - the inspiration for the song.  

Driving across the bridge from Manteo to the Outer Banks.  

We found our house and got everything settled before Zooming with Mom.  Mom enjoyed the tour of the house and the report of the drive.  Afterwards, we played on the beach for a bit, had dinner and Nick made spinach puffs. We sat on the deck and watched the stars while eating spinach puffs.  It was the perfect way to end the first day.  

Shaun, finally at the beach

Kathy and Shaun just happy to be at the beach. 

Under the house where we stored everything.  It was full of beach-themed decor even outside.  

Perfect place for the bikes. 

Shell collections table and a rope bench swing.  

This was in the kitchen.  After coming to the Corolla for years, we have finally learned how it is pronounced.  

June 12th I got to take my long-awaited morning walk on the beach.  After breakfast, me, Avian and Kathy went to the beach and played in the waves.  Kathy decided to give boogie boarding and try and really enjoyed it.  Avian was a good coach.  

Avian has been waiting for this all year long.  

Kathy enjoying watching the waves.  

Shaun came down to watch all the fun.  

Avian showing us how it is done.  

Cheering for Aunt Kathy on her first run.  

Both catching a wave.  

I love boogie boarding and it is even better with my sister!

Just about the time we were all getting tired from riding waves, Nick and Jeremy came down to the beach.  I stayed with them and played a bit longer before heading back to the house because a thunder storm was heading our way.  

Relaxing on the beach. 

Time spent staring at the waves is time well spent.  

Once we were all cleaned up we headed to Timbuck II to let Shaun and Kathy look around in the shops.  We had a great time exploring.  It was a good day for fun hats and silly sayings on random items.   

Look!  It's the Pinball Wizard!

After shopping at Timbuck II, we went to the store to get all the ingredients for sushi and then headed back to the house to relax for the evening.  

You cannot beat the view from the back porch!

June 13th opened with another walk on the beach.  I seriously look forward to this all year long.  One perfect week of getting to do morning walks on the beach!!  The pelicans and the dolphins were there today as well.  

It doesn't get much better than this.  

My dolphin friends came on my walk with me.  

The pelicans were there too.  

Back at the house everyone was getting ready for our day of lighthouse touring.  Our first stop was the Bodie Island lighthouse.  We walked all around it enjoying the scenery.  Since there were not a lot of people, we actually got to see what it looked like on the inside.  

Me, Jeremy, Avian, Kathy, Nick and Steve in front of the Bodie Island lighthouse.  

Looking up into the spiral staircase.  

I love the little house attached to the front of it.  

We took the nature walk on the pathway through the marsh to get to this vantage point.  

We stopped at the beach just past the Oregon Outlet and collected the big, white shells.  It is also a fun spot to watch the boats going in and out of the sound side through the outlet.   By the time we got to Avon we were all hungry so we found a little pizza place for lunch.  

As luck would have it, there were a ton of pinball machines.  Jeremy and Shaun were in heaven.  

The Hatteras lighthouse from the parking lot.  

I love this lighthouse with it's iconic red base and black/white spiral.  

The lighthouse keeper's house.  

Nick chilling on the porch.  

The drive to the other end of the Outer Banks is ALWAYS worth it.  There are so many things to see.  We stopped at Scarborough Faire on the way back so the kids could show Shaun and Kathy the fun shops.  This is also where I get my elephant pants.  Kathy and I got each got a pair.   By the time we got back to the house we were all tired and hungry so we ordered pizza and chilled on the deck. 

Avian showing Aunt Kathy and Uncle Shaun their drawing books.  

The sunset across the dunes is so pretty.  Especially after a really good thunderstorm. 

June 14th we got up early and headed to the top of Corolla to drive on the beach and find the horses.  It was the perfect morning and the horses were all out.  

ELEPHANT PANTS!!!

We put some chairs in the back of the truck and let Shaun and Kathy enjoy the open air on the beach ride.  

Avian wanted to ride in the back as well.  

There are several benefits to coming first thing in the morning - no one is on the beach yet AND that is when all the horses are out.  

Steve loves driving on the beach and I am glad of that because it stresses me out a little bit.  I always think we are going to get stuck.  

Back at the house we got the meet the owners of the house we stayed in last year, The Cat's Meow.  Their names are Gary and Diane and it was fun talking with them and hearing about all the upgrades they have made to the house since last year.  After some breakfast, we headed back to the beach for a day of shell hunting.  The water was too cold to get in so Nick and Jeremy dug holes while the rest of us looked for shells.  

Steve would use his shell catcher...

...and bring us piles of shells to sort through. 

We sat there for hours sorting and chatting.  

Let the hole digging commence.  Nick's was a perfect circle.  

Jeremy in his shade hole

The sun on the water and the birds playing in the surf.  I love this place!!!

After cleaning off all the sand and salt water, we went to the shops to find Shaun a sweatshirt.  Kathy found the cutest hummingbird wind twirler.  We got some ice cream and walked around Timbuck II before heading back the house for some dinner.  

Steve and I took an evening walk on the beach and watched the sun go down over the dunes.  

June 15th I got in my morning walk before everyone else was awake.  So many gorgeous things to see at the beach.  

The front door was my favorite color.  That is always a good omen. 

I am standing in the driveway looking at the stairs that take us to the beach.

Water makes the coolest patterns in the sand.  

We went back to the shops to exchange the shirt Shaun bought the day before.  We had grabbed the wrong size.  While we were up at the shops, we took Shaun and Kathy into our favorite game store.  It was a fun morning of exploring.  

These big chairs are all over the place along the coast.  It is part of going to the beach.  

On the way back from the shops, we saw Nick riding his bike.  He had gone clear up to where the road ended and the beach began and was on his way back to the house.  After eating some lunch, Kathy and I went for a walk on the beach.  It was so good to have her in my happy place with me.  We had some good talks while walking on the beach. 

Once we all got back from our various activities we all piled into the vehicles and went into Kitty Hawk to visit the Wright Brothers Museum.   It was fun to go with Shaun because he noticed things I never would have because he knows a lot about planes.  We explored the museum and the replicas of their workshop where they built their planes.  

We are standing where the Wright Brothers took their first flights and the monument is in the distance.  

After working up an appetite at the Wright Brother's Museum we went to Kill Devil's Custard for dinner.  They have the best burgers and fries.  

June 16th, after another glorious morning walk on the beach, this time with Steve, I took a bike ride through the old neighborhood where we stayed for our first trip to the OBX and years afterward.  Nick ran to Harris Teeter and got himself some sushi for breakfast.  That was what he had been waiting to do along with the bike rides and running on the beach.  We all have our own beach traditions. 

Shaun and Kathy went for a walk on the beach.  Steve and Avian went and got slushies.  Jeremy slept in.

After a bit, Nick, Avian and I went to the beach to see if we could make it out the sand bar.  We did it and spent some time body surfing.  Kathy came out and gave it a try as well.  After we were done playing in the water, Kathy and I sat by the water and watched the waves and talked until it was time to go back for dinner.  

The tide started coming in and we just stayed there and talked.  

Jeremy came and joined us for the last little bit.  

Back at the house we had some dinner and then tie dyed our shirts.  We got them done just before a HUGE rainstorm hit.  I also got the rootbeer float cupcakes made so they could chill over night.  

Jeremy had his whole design all planned out.  I just wing it and hope for the best.  

The clouds were super cool during the storm.  

The sky was pretty after the storm rolled through.  

June 17th we went to the seafood market to pick out what we wanted for the low country boil that night.  While we were there, and the guys were paying for the seafood, I told Kathy we needed to check out The Farmer's Daughter because they had the cutest t-shirts and Kathy was still looking for the perfect OBX t-shirt.  We found one.  It was yellow with a map of all the OBX lighthouses and it said "Salt Life" on it.   It was as close to perfect as they come.  

After lunch, we piled in the vehicles and went up to the Whalehead Club to walk around the grounds and see the last lighthouse - the Corolla lighthouse.  The kids wanted to show Shaun and Kathy their favorite bookstore up in the village as well.  

Avian found a stump to stand on while waiting for everyone.  They are definitely my kid.  

I love this lighthouse.  The red brick gives it so much character. 

The gardens around the lighthouse are stunning as well.  

Steve and Avian tying knots in the maritime museum.  

There was an impressive collection of boats on display.  

Sitting in the gazebo relaxing and watching the beautiful scenery.  

We then drove down into Duck to the other Mystic Jewel store to pick up the chain that Kathy really wanted.  We had spent a good hour and a half in the Mystic Jewel up at Timbuck II looking at all their gorgeous jewelry the day before.  I found the most gorgeous pendant.  All three of my favorite necklaces have come from the Outer Banks.  Steve stopped into a woodworking shop and found a gorgeous wood carving he really liked - Happy Father's Day!

Back at the house, I went down to the beach to recenter before deveining the shrimp and working on dinner.  While I was fixing dinner, Jeremy went for a bike ride and crashed coming around a corner.  His shoulder was really sore, but there didn't appear to be anything broken.   We ate a wonderful seafood dinner and had the cupcakes to celebrate Father's Day (a day early since we would be travelling the next day).  

Yummy seafood dinner!!

June 18th I was up bright and early for one last morning walk on the beach. 

Sunrise over the ocean.  

Nick came down to get one last beach run in before heading home.  

The view from the top of the stairs looking down into the neighborhood.  

One last picture of the beach before going back to the house to pack up.  

Our house, "The Crowe's Nest"

From the front.  It was a great house.  

The living room area just off the kitchen. 

This sitting area had a great view!

We got everything all packed up, bikes on the truck and the house swept out and were ready to hit the road by 8:40.  Before we left, we went to the stairs to take one last picture to cap off this amazing week.   

Our tie dye shirts turns out really well.  The beach/ocean is the perfect backdrop for this picture.  

One last picture before we have to go back to reality.  

I had to go and stick my feet in the ocean one last time before leaving.  Good bye my happy place.  I will be back soon!

On the way home, we stopped at Cook Out and ate our food, picnic-style, in beach chairs in the Walmart parking lot.  It was a true redneck experience.  To help with the ambiance, I talked in a think Southern accent so Kathy and Shaun could have the full experience.  

We made it back to Charlotte with time to chill a bit before Zooming with Mom to tell her all about our week at the beach.  We had potstickers and General Tso's chicken for dinner before heading to bed.  

June 19th we took Shaun and Kathy to the airport at 5:30 a.m.  I was so sad to see them go.  This week at the beach with them will be a core memory for me and one that I will always cherish.  Jeremy woke up in time to say good bye to them.  Nick and Avian both had to be back to work.  I spent the rest of the morning putting everything away.  About mid morning a huge rain storm came through.  I was watching the weather to make sure that Shaun and Kathy would not be stranded at the airport.  Their flight got out of Charlotte before the worst of the storm him later in the day, thank goodness.  While fixing dinner that night there was a tornado warning.  Duck and cover.  Nothing really big happened in our neck of the woods though.  I made some yogurt so I would have something soft to eat after having my tooth pulled and then went to bed.  

June 20th I had my tooth pulled.  When Dr. Rasenberger went to fit my flipper, the tooth fell off.  I was without a front tooth replacement until this could be fixed.  

June 21st I called the dentist to see if she could fix the flipper.  She tried, but the tooth just fell off again.  She ordered me another one and I would just have to wear a mask until it came in.  I got home and Steve wasn't feeling well.  I took Avian to get their sports physical so they can try out for volleyball this year.  

June 22nd it rained all day long (4th day in a row), but it was the perfect weather for getting things done at home.  I got to take dinner into a family that just had a new baby.  The baby was so tiny, but when they told me the weight and length I realized that was the size Jeremy was when he was born.  

June 24th I attacked the front flowerbed.  I had to dig down 6-8 inches to get rid of all the Bermuda grass root.  Jeremy helped me move the rocks and build a retaining wall.  It will look really nice when we get it all done.  Avian went to Anthony's birthday party that night. 

June 25th-26th - Jeremy had a rough night.  With no school or work to keep him busy, he started to get depressed and we had to talk him out of his funk and find things to keep him occupied so he wouldn't think about things too much.  

June 26th we cleaned out Jeremy's closet and drawers and got rid of all the clothing he either didn't like or didn't fit him.  We ended up with 7 large garbage bags of clothing and shoes to donate to Goodwill.  Now he only had clothes in his room that he likes and that fit.  We went out and got him some new shoes since all his old shoes were completely worn out and falling apart.  He was VERY excited to get things cleaned out.  That night there was a HUGE thunderstorm and lots of rain. Very cool!

June 27th I got the stitches out and it stung really good for a bit afterwards.  I did a little more weeding and then headed to the pool with Avian.  Steve has been very busy at work with a lot of projects.  That night neither Steve nor Jeremy could sleep so they went for a late night drive and came back much more relaxed.  

June 28th I went to work in the morning and then to the dentist in the afternoon to pick up my new flipper.  It felt good to be whole again and to show my smile to the world.  After the dentist I got to meet someone the missionaries have been teaching for a bit.  It was fun to see someone who was so excited about the gospel and wanting to learn more.  Steve had another busy day at work trying to solve some programming problems.  At the end of the day, Avian and I went and found them some new shoes because the old ones were falling apart.  

June 29th Avian attended a volleyball clinic in the morning.  I got to go with Eden Anderson to the South Carolina, Columbia temple.  It was fun to get out and do something with Eden.   

Picture proof that we really did go to the temple.  It was a fun day.  

Sitting in the gardens after the session was very relxing.  

Back at home, Jeremy had his first tutoring session with Remind and we got his car paid off.  It was a good day. 

June 30th, we finished prepping the front garden area.  It is ready to start planting.  Jeremy's vision is about to come to life.  He has a really good eye for what will look good and grow well together.  We have had a butterfly bush in the backyard that has not grown in the last two years.   In fact it looked like it was dying.  Jeremy put it in a bucket so he could try different locations where the bush might like to live.  He nursed it back to health and it now has a new home in a happier location and is doing really well.  He has a green thumb for sure.  He gets that from him grandparents.  

I can't believe June went by so quickly.   It was full of fun and adventure and I am sad to see it go.