Let’s wrap up 2022 before we get halfway through 2023

I always have good intentions yet here we are again. 2022 was a roller coaster of a year and things are finally starting to settle so I thought I might jump back into this blog thing. But first let’s wrap up 2022.

Spring is my fave time out on the deck and I love to put lots of flowers out there

The socks- and they can’t match

If you haven’t tried the salmon from Costco you are missing out

Trying to clean up and get some Project Life stuff done. Still not done.

Andy convinced me to finally give up our big Radio Flyer wagon that we have had since the kids were little. Strange the things you get attached to. It is now living down the road at an “outdoor school” which honestly looked amazing, wish my kids could have gone somewhere like that for preschool.

We slowly started letting the cats spend some time on the deck. They did great and didn’t go anywhere (they are indoor only cats and can only be outside with us)

BarTaco, if you have one in your area you know. Yum.

When one of the big brothers comes home for a visit

Trader Joes haul

Sweet baby angel

Palm trees still doing well (we are right on the edge of being too cold for them here)

A made up dinner of beans, broken taco shells, chicken and green peppers. It is surprisingly good lol.

Summertime staples

Appreciating historic building while having dinner in Durham

Caught a glimpse of Grace at an award show with Hugh- I don’t even know which one. Emmys?

Packing up to go to Columbus to see Austin for his birthday

We decided to drive the Tesla up since gas prices were so high. It actually did great. 4 people and 2 golden retrievers and one 20 minute stop to recharge.

We had such a great time. Miss him so much

This was a hard hit for me. As someone that experienced a nonviable pregnancy that would have resulted in me leaving behind 3 little kids I just can’t even wrap my brain around this backward movement. I still cry thinking about it.

And then it was back to the beach for a bit. I think this was July.

Eva was digging through the books at the beach house and found this one from the brothers and decided it was worth a read

Breakfast outside (put down your phone)

Replacing our back deckboards

My absolute fave part of Summer is warm water and boogie boarding. Although our waves were lame that day

Mail pick up island style

They shot off fire works at Oak Island and it was so cool to see them come up over the water

And then the 4th of July came around which is always fun on the island. Blake came in as well as Cole and his soon to be roommate at Ap State

And then Andy’s sister Julie and her daughter Grace came in from New Jersey. Cole and Grace had not seen each other in a very long time and hit it off. It was cool seeing them get to know each other again

Love getting pics of my grand kitties

Back home and picking things from the garden. It did ok even though we were gone for a month

Dinner dates

Back to pool time

And then, after almost two years of waiting our Bronco finally arrived. I didn’t want this car. I had a boring grandma Lexus SUV. But when Andy got tired of waiting for his Bronco and bought a Tesla I decided to check it out. Traded in the Lexus and this Mama is a cool girl again after 25 years of mom cars lol. I LOVE it

The butterflies here are insane. I love it, they are everywhere

Blake came to visit with yet another cat

And Oakley was scared

And then it was off to NYC to see Elvis Costello in concert and visit Grace again

Back home to my babies. I really hate leaving the dogs behind. It gives me anxiety

And then it was time for #3 to fly the nest. Off to the mountains he goes

And Hudson is wondering where everyone went

Date nights are a lot easier these days

Blake and Sofie got engaged- welcome to the family Sofie!!

Picked up a fun Jack at Trader Joes

Got to see these two again

She loves her big bros

Went back to the beach- had some Ohio friends come over

And Fall in Chapel Hill is lovely

Halloween back in the Thrill

Our skelly went across the street to hang with neighbors skelly

And that was 2022- except for one last surprise….