The Karaffa Family: August 2012

Monday, August 27, 2012

first grader

Here I am...the big FIRST grader! Can't believe summer is over and school is already starting! We had such a fun summer together, but I also love school and was excited to see my school friends!

Since we started school on a Friday, we got to wear our Lake Norman Christian t-shirts with anything denim. So, I chose my orange shirt and jean capris...all with my new bookbag, lunchbox, and tennis shoes. I am all ready for my first day of school!

Ready to go!

Smiles for Mommy...who kept telling me I am growing up too fast!

I just told her that even though I'm growing up fast...I'll still be her baby girl...

...and that I love her very much!!

So, first grade...here I come!

As tradition, we always go out to eat on our first night of school. We all chose Firebirds and went with Uncle Todd, Aunt Helen, Carter, Kaitlyn, Stephanie (we are in first grade together), Madison...& Poppy. It was a fun night...a great way to celebrate the start of another school year!

My BFF & me

Daddy, Mommy, & Me...their big first grader! They are so proud of me...I love school!

girls night out

On one of Mommy's girl's night out recently, she & some of her good friends attended a Rascal Flatts concert. It was great music, great laughs, and great fun. What a fun night!

Mrs. Tracy, Mrs. Angie, & Mrs. Kim

(friends from small group)

Mrs. Jodi, Mommy, Mrs. Deirdre, & Mrs. Tonya

(friends from playgroup)

Mrs. Kim, Mrs. Jessica, Mrs. Deirdre, & Mrs. Jodi

(friends from playgroup & small group)

Mommy, Mrs. Tonya, Mrs. Tracy, & Mrs. Angie

Mommy & Mrs. Jessica

The whole gang...enjoying the music and the fun company.

Fun, fun girl's night out!

why daddy is awesome (one of many reasons)

One of many reasons why our Daddy is awesome...he builds the best forts!

We sure love Daddy time.

And, we sure love Daddy!

Averie in the fort...

Me in the fort...all dressed up as Captain America!

Averie & me in the fort together

Then, after Daddy convinced Brecken it was safe...

...he crawled inside!

Fun fort time with our Daddy!

small group retreat

We love our church for so many reasons. Our small group we are in is one of them. A few weekends ago, Daddy & Mommy went with the adults in small group on a weekend retreat in the mountains. They stayed (rented out the entire place...) at a bed and breakfast in Waynesville, NC, and they had the best time. Lots of laughs, lots of memories, and time spent praying for one another.

The first day...ladies went to the spa for the day while the guys played a round of golf. Girls were pampered with pedicures, facials, and massages. Here are the ladies right outside the spa!

The next day, they got to go an adventure...a sky diving like adventure. After suiting up and receiving the instructions, each person took a turn "flying" with an instructor. It was so much fun!

Here is Daddy & Mommy...all ready to fly!

Some of the guys

Here is Daddy flying...he's is in the middle...& most of us got to go about 20-40 feet in the air. Such a fun experience!

After an afternoon of relaxing at the B&B, we all got ready for a yummy dinner!

Daddy & Mommy

All the small group gals...

After each standard picture, Mommy would yell out, "Ok, everyone, let's do a squeezy one." Then, the ladies would all squeeze together...making a much cuter picture. So, here is the "squeeze" one!

The guys...

....& the guy's interpretation of a "squeezy" picture...hilarious!

That night, we played "Minute to Win It"...guys vs. girls. It was such a fun night of much laughter!

The next morning, it was time to have breakfast and head out to a nearby park for worship and a devotional before heading home!

Here is Mommy with Mrs. Tracy...

...then Mrs. Lara joined in on the picture fun!

A "squeezy" picture with all those who were around...

And, then our small group...such a fun weekend...such an awesome group. We are blessed with such an encouraging, supportive, God seeking group!

more summer fun

The only bad thing about having a small camera in my purse is that Mommy forgets to download any pics she has taken on it. So, Mommy just recently did that and found a few pics from our summer.

Here we are at VBS (vacation Bible school) at our church. This is Brady & me singing along with the teen leaders up front. This day was tacky day...which is why we are all dressed so silly!

Now that two of us are in VBS, Mommy has to take turns on which class she helps. This year, she helped Brady's class since it was his first year! (Plus, Mommy helped in my class last year!) So, here is Brady's class. Can you find him?

We also have the option of picking a "summer camp" to take. I didn't pick one this year, but Brady picked a cooking camp at his preschool. He LOVED it...Chef Brady learned how to make something new every day, and it was a lot of fun!

Mommy had put Brecken in his room one evening to play while helping us get ready for bed. When she came back, Brecken had fallen asleep in his chair. It was so cute! He was one tired little boy!

We sure love summer time!!

Friday, August 17, 2012

myrtle beach vacation

Every year, our family takes a beach vacation to Myrtle Beach. We always have such a great time...riding waves in the ocean, playing on the sand, swimming in the pools, & eating dinner out every night. It's such a fun week! Mommy took about 300 pics, so enjoy the ones that made the "final cut." :)

Brecken and his crazy hair from the sunscreen...

...& his crazy new smile! So cute!

Here I am...ready for some fun in the sun!

Brady's fave...digging in the sand!

Brecken was all ready, too! He headed straight for the water.

I love the beach...

Brady dug many holes in the sand...Daddy & Mommy just had to remind him that he couldn't throw the sand (in his shovel) over his shoulder because he would hit others as they were walking by. It was kind of funny, but others didn't seem to think it was!

Brecken meets the ocean...

...& loved it!

Thankfully, the first few days at the beach were a bit cloudy with some wind, so it wasn't unbearably hot as we played on the beach. That made for everyone being happy!

Brecken just chillin' in a stranger's chair. Thankfully, most people are very easy going at the beach!

Our Family ~ Myrtle Beach 2012

(Averie ~ 6, Brady ~ 4, & Brecken ~ 17 mths.)

The boys...digging away!

Brecken taking a walk with Daddy at the water's edge!

Daddy & his baby girl...me!

Brecken having some fun!

Brady loved the ocean...so long as it stayed out of his face.

Cuties on the beach!

Not sure what Brecken was planning to do while heading towards the ocean with an oversized shovel and bucket, but he sure looked determined...and cute!

Filling up his bucket with water...at this rate, he was there for hours!

But, he sure was happy!

Here I am...riding the waves in! This is the first year that I don't have to have Daddy or Mommy in there with me...I can do it by myself now!

While I'm riding the waves in, Daddy & Brecken are building a castle!

Daddy & Brecken...not sure who he's smiling at...

...but now, he's looking at the camera!

After watching me riding the waves in, Brecken was ready for a turn of his own! He wasn't quite ready!

So, we took turns burying each other in the sand.

Me...

...& me with Miss Brittany!

Daddy...

Brady...

...& Brady again!

My Daddy & me

With Mommy's help, Brady wrote his name in the sand!

Brecken is still cruising the beach...tongue all out...determined!

Another day...and more digging in the sand for Brady...

...more running in the water for Brecken...

...& more riding the waves in for me!

so.much.fun!

Brecken...all smiles...

...& having fun!

He was so amazed that, while he didn't move, the water would still come up and get his toes!

He loved it!

And, so do I!!

Brecken also thinks it's funny to pick your nose and listen to Daddy or Mommy say "gross" or "yucky." So, he'd pick his nose, wait for someone to say it, and then giggle! So, Mommy caught him in picture picking his nose...and laughing at the same time!

Sweet Brecken

The boys digging some more!

Brady stretching out in the sun!

Being the great big sister that I am, I took Brady out to ride the waves...

...while Mommy relaxed on the beach with Brecken!

It went great, and we had fun!

Then, Daddy took me out in the ocean on his shoulders!

That was awesome!

Brecken still running in the ocean...so cute!

Brady & Stephanie had fun playing in the sand...

...and we had a blast together, too...she's my best friend!

Brady showing Mommy that he knew how to wink...and was proud of it!

Daddy & Brady

Us all ready for dinner one night

Our awesome babysitter (& friend) got to come down with us for a few days, and we had so much fun with her. Miss Brittany stayed for the weekend...and even let us bury her in the sand! She rocks!

Our Family

Another day...and more fun in the sun!

Daddy & Mommy

Daddy helping Brady build a sand castle!

Of course, Brecken had to come along and watch.

The finished product...

Brecken finally got to see what it was like to boogie board...baby style! Cousin Kaitlyn loved pulling him around!

And, he loved it!

But, after a small wipeout, he fell semi-asleep on Daddy!

Brady started getting used to the ocean water going in his face and became more daring in the water...he got covered by one wave...

...but decided to out with Daddy the next time!

Time for some boogie boarding...Daddy & Brady!

Brady did great!

Brady

One afternoon, we had our annual shaving cream fight. Aunt Cindi buys at least 30 cans of shaving cream, and everyone goes after each other! It's a lot of fun!

Daddy getting cousin Eric.

Cousin Noah (middle of the fight)

Cousin Noah (at the end of the fight)

We put some on Brecken to see if he wanted to participate...he did not like it at all!

Daddy having lots of fun!

(This year, he was thankful not to get any in his mouth!)

Most of the participants...

Oma with all her grandkids...ages 18 to 6 weeks! (Yes, that is baby Madison on the left.)

Oma & me

Brecken crashed one late morning on the beach...right in Daddy's arms!

Oma & Brady

Brady was ready for building another castle!

After a quick cat nap, Brecken wanted to stand in the water again...right with Daddy!

Brecken also loved the flowers on Stephanie's bathing suit...he tried to "pick" them for at least 15 minutes. So cute!

One night, we went to see Pirates Voyage...enjoying a yummy dinner while watching pirates perform a show for us...lots of lights, swimming tricks, and animals. We had a great time!

All the VW Granddaughters...

Kaitlyn (9), Averie (6), Stephanie (6), & Madison (6 weeks)

Ready for more fun in the sun...we love the beach!

Baby Madison would take naps on the beach, & Brecken just loves her. Each time she was in there, Brecken would peek in, look at her, and then look at us and say "baby" in this adorable, deep voice. It was so cute! He loves to hold her and kiss her...so sweet!