We survived!

Last week was an event (in Oklahoma) very dear to my heart. Soooo I packed up the kids and we headed back west for 10 days. 

This was the first time I've flown solo with the kids. Let me just say... They. Are. Awesome. Really! My kids are amazing little travelers. Me? Well... After 12 years of national tours and dance competition travel all nice and solo and stuff... I could use a lesson in how to deal with my NEW travel buddies. Like... Once they're sleeping on the plane (yes, they both fell asleep!) can I go to the bathroom? Seriously people... I didn't go to the bathroom for 8 hours!!!! More on that another day. 

The kids were awesome.

I refused to overpack so, Sammies rolling bag was also my dance bag for the week. (I'm so cool) 

Sammie spotted our plane and was glued. Dee? Well he had me running a few circles but I say get that energy out! 

The only thing I couldn't manage alone was carrying Dee on the plane in his seat plus carrying the bag of "tricks" to keep them happy. Soooo sweet Sammie had to drag the bag. It was not light. She was fab.

Sammie (who's generally my harder kid) was a saint! She played and watched movies and napped for a hot second. But soooo good.

The other kid...

Well he screamed for the first 15 min of each flight. Then passed out cold and was finished until we landed. I think he was protesting his car seat and not the flight but who knows. 

 Everyone would have been fabulous had I not left my purse on the plane. (Insert angry emoji) 45 minutes later I finally had it back. No thanks to the lovely TSA agent that yelled at me. (More angry emoji) 

Anywho... We survived what I'm sure will not be the last trip to Oklahoma without the hubs. 

-whitney 

Parks & Rec

So one of the things I absolutely love about North Carolina is the parks! I swear we go to a new park every week! All within 15 minutes of our house. They're always clean, have clean bathrooms & are a great way to get us moving.

So far one of our favorites is Pullen Park. Free unless you want to ride the train, carousel or boats but a ticket is just a dollar. So not too bad. 

Brother is starting to have quite the personality! He's so happy when he is allowed to do activities with his sister! 

Brother was not super excited about the ride until round 2.

The carousel goes a bit fast for this momma but the kids love it. 

I love the train! It gives me 5 minutes to breathe and the kids both love it!!

And would you believe there is also a big sand pit?!! We take our beach toys and go to town digging. 

This doesn't even compare to a normal park! We love it. They also have a snack bar that serves local in season foods. It's pretty good!

We also enjoy the much much smaller pArk at Waverly Place. It has a tiny splash pad and sits inside a little shopping center. We like to go get some energy out and then grab a snack at whole foods. 

ThIs past weekend we decided to take turns enjoying the quiet of a restaurant while the kids played. Not a bad way to wait on food! They just so happened to have a back to school party happening.

So someone got to ride a pony while we waited. 

And the we had some good ol' Carolina BBQ!

We love it here! -whitney 

Ballerina goes to School

So had we still lived in Oklahoma, Ballerina would be in full time school + after hours care but since I am not working here... She's been home with me all day everyday for 6 weeks. Not sure how either of us feel about that! No no no... I kid... She loves me.

Back to the Ballerina. When we moved I was clueless about what to do for schools. Lucky for me (and my princess) we made some friends who go to PreK at a...DANCE STUDIO! Yup! You know I jumped on that opportunity as soon as I could. And the ballerina LOVES it.

I tried getting her to hold the sign but she really wanted to "read" it. So we have some awkward shots. And I love them all anyway. 

Seriously people... She said "I see all my new friends in there". I melted. I'm so glad she is into making new friends and embracing this move.  

Here's to new friends!

-whitney 

We live by the beach!!

Okay so maybe we live 2 hours from the beach but it's sooooo great!!!

2 weeks ago we headed down to wrightsville beach in Wilmington and had a fabulous weekend getaway! 

After our drive down, we went straight to eat at Dockside. Probably the only bad idea of the entire weekend. The kids had way too much energy to sit and wait for food. Next time... Cheap eats & to the beach!!! But while waiting we got some fun photos. 

Sammie even batted her eye lashes enough for some poor soul to let her sit on his jet ski while she waited.

Then it was beach time!!! My kids are definitely my kids... They loved it! 

My kids also LOVE hotels. Why is that? I remember loving them as a kid also. (Wait till you live in them for a national tour kids!!) 

The next day was fabulous and we wished we had stayed longer!! I love this state!!! 

Ballerina was barely out of the water but when she was... This is what happened!!

I love that he was trying to kiss her and she couldn't run away!! So fun!

More beaches in our future for sure!

-whitney 

I think I'm Gonna Like It Here

What a fun weekend! On Saturday we made new friends (thank you cousin Krissi!) and enjoyed our little town a bit. 

We attended the Apex Farmers Market which was celebrating "Christmas in July"! Ballerina wanted NO part of Santa but was really into the music students playing carols. She told me she needs a "tar"... I assume this means guitar. 

We also met our local firemen and got to tour their truck! 

After a brief stint at the market we went to lunch with our new friends at a little place downtown called the Blistered Pig. It was great food & they were so kind when we said there would be 5 diners under age 4. (The former server in me was dying for them) 

Brother really enjoyed the... BUTTER. 

I mean... The kid ate butter straight front the cup and then announced to a table of 11 "MMMmmmm". For real? He's a mess. 

On Sunday we headed to Marbles Children's Museum for the morning. THIS PLACE IS AWESOME!! 

When your kids can touch everything and you know they're having a blast... So awesome!! So many learning tools!! 

Brother was obsessed with the ambulance. 

It only took one visit for me to buy a membership for the family for the year. I feel we will be here a lot!! 

We've survived our first full week in NorthCarolina  and I must say "I think I'm Gonna Like It Here"!! 

-whitney 

BOUNCE!!

So today the kids and I headed over to this place called BigE Bounce. Cost me next to nothing to entertain my kiddos indoors for 2 hours while it poured outdoors. 

This is the toddler room. It was fabulous! Brother preferred to sit with me and watch Ballerina the first 30 minutes or so. Then some other kids came in and he went to town chasing after the toddler ladies. (The kid is really the biggest flirt ever) 

We didn't take too many pics because I was busy running around with them. After about an hour in the toddler room I let Ballerina head over to the big kid room. I managed to get a pic or 2 but that's about it. She loved it. 

Climbing way up to slide down. Brother was sad he was too small. 

And playing a bit of soccer! Her daddy would be so proud. 

We will more than likely frequenting this place! 

Now I just gotta make it through Friday before Daddy is home all day too! Yippeeeeee -whitney 

Are We Almost There?

When I was a kid, we drove all over the earth on vacation. My parents had this awful cassette that played car trip songs with the title track being "Are we almost there?". From the moment this moving madness began I have wanted to ask when it would all be over! And now, Finally, we have "arrived".

Not sure how many people pack up their 2 toddlers and start an entirely new life somewhere in a 4 week span in a place they have never been! We have lost our minds!! Or have we? So far (in my rough 72 hours here) I am in love! I mean, of course, I am sad to leave OKLA. My family and my studio are a HUGE part of my world. But hey, that's why planes were invented. The hardest thing for me so far has been my 3 year old constantly asking for her friend Anna! Oh the heartbreak. It will pass and we WILL be visiting. 

Any who... Back to this place. My hubby had it basically set up for us when we arrived. (I hit the hubby jackpot) My mother (Tutu) and drove across the country with me and the crazies. (That's one KIND KIND woman) and my father drove another car out with my stuff that wouldn't fit in my car!! (Again, I'm a lucky girl). It takes a village to move your family across the country!!! 

My kids were not awful for 18 hours in the car. Crazy but not awful. They loved staying in hotels. Ha!! And were really pumped about the gross breakfast included in your stays...

We had one long stop at a Cracker Barrel (what? Who am I?) and Ballerina talked us into buying (and wearing) costumes! 

Once we arrived in NC, the kids were fab!! We've had a good few days playing with Tutu & Paps. We are all VERY happy to see Daddy again and now it's time to get our new home organized!! 

Here's to new beginnings!!! 

-whitney 

Back to the bloggy blog!

I had given up on ever having the time to blog our adventures. BUT... Now that we have moved away from everyone we know, I'm thinking it's the easiest way to keep our friends & family up to date without blowing up other people's social media feeds!!! Soooo... Starting Monday!! We are back! If you want to follow our NC adventures, Subscribe!!! Follow!!! We will be blogging about 3-4 days a week! 

Love, the Browns! 

Lake City!!

A quick photo blast from the mountains!!

Tutu & Ballerina talking a walk by the river during one of our picnics at Lake Fork.

Lake City supplied us with several things that were very beneficial to our trip... Coffee Shop being #1 and a PARK!! We went to the park every day!!

Even brother had fun at the park!

We had many a picnic while in the mountains. Ballerina loved every single one!

Dee in his new camo hat!

Dee & Pappy...

Every girl needs a fly fishing shirt and camo hat!!

Learning to "clink" or cheers!

One day there was a bear safety lesson at the park... so naturally we had to attend.

Eating out with a 2 year old is always a challenge.

Lunch at the park one day with Tutu & Janice!

Nothing like a little roast beef sandy... Mmmm

Add caption

One of the biggest highlights of our trip was dinner on top of Gold Mountain. 

Simply breathtaking!

Yes, we put our 2 year old and 4 month old on the mountain side alone for photo op!

It was a great vacay... So happy we were able to make it up to the mountains!!