I love taking photos, and I love documenting our vacations. But I don’t love writing long paragraphs! We had a great first day at the beach, beginning with a lunch at The Pilot House in Wilmington. Our house is awesome, and the weather today was great. Only downfall was slamming my thumb in the balcony door within 30 seconds of arrival! It was some of the worst throbbing pain I’ve felt (and I practiced being in labor!) Mom and Dad arrived this afternoon and Larbs and Matt, just before dinner. We had a lovely feast of burgers (Cville beef Karen brought!) prepared by Karen and Matt (we’re taking turns cooking the dinners) and ended the night with an awesome cookie cake baked by my mom to celebrate Larbs and Matt’s engagement this week!
This view helped me through the pain : )
Our room!
Bathroom of my dreams!
Karen, the jokester, put “The Booger Man” in both of the bathrooms to scare my parents and L+M. Everyone was a little spooked! Ha!!!!
What!?
Can’t….wait…any…longer…to…sip…from…keg…
Tomorrow…
that “booger man” is the creepiest thing!!
Congrats to Larbs and Matt!! That house is beautiful. So KERF. Nice work, Karen 🙂
My sister’s name is Laura too! Not a very common name.
My family is Scandinavian and in those countries, Laura is one of the most common female names 🙂
OMG the Boogy Man is so terrifying!
i love that bedding! and congrats to larbs 🙂 have a GREAT vacay!!
Everything about this post is perfection! I LOVE the beach and I may love beach houses even more. Congrats to Larbs and Matt! Have a wonderful time at the beach. 🙂
Best picture of this post…Matt and his Mom. Have a great vacation.
what a fun time with everyone there and such beautiful views!! enjoy!
Cool you’re in Wilmington! It’s weird you’re there. My husband applied for a job there today (we’re from northern Minnesota), so we clearly know nothing about the city. We are familiar with other pars of NC, but not Wilmington. I’ve heard it’s an amazing vacation spot, but not so great for living. I’d be curious to hear what you think about the actual city itself. When you vacation there, do you stick to the beach only or venture out? How’s the food scene??
We like it. It’s pretty Southern small town. We considered it for a bakery location, but it just felt a little bit isolated and small to us. Cville feels bigger for some reason even though I suspect Wilmington is much bigger. Love the waterfront though!
Wilmington is a nice city (born and raised about 45mins away), but there’s a lot of traffic and the city is sort of sprawled out. If I had to live there, I’d choose downtown (the historic district), which is beautiful. Proximity to the beach is great (though the tradeoff is hurricane season), there’s a decent university, nice aquarium at Kure Beach (about 1/2 an hour away). There are also lots of tv shows and movies filmed there, so you might see some celebrities from time to time.
Population is a little over 100k, so it’s comparable to Rochester, MN.
It’s my hometown! It is absolutely fantastic. The schools are great, the weather is wonderful, the beaches are perfect. The mountains are only a few hours away. I live in Tampa now, which pales in comparison. I’m trying to get back, I’ve been way for 8 years now and miss it!
Love Wilmington!! Which beach are you staying at? Looks like it could be Kure or Wrightsville Beach!
Right in the middle – Carolina!
So weird! I am about 10 minutes from Carolina Beach! I live in Monkey Junction. ENJOY!
fun!
That beach house looks amazing! Did you find it on a rental site?
Yup
After you leave will you post the link!
yup!
Which one?
Oh gosh, that Boogie man would have scared the mess out of me! Looks like a great start to your vacation!!! Minus your poor finger, of course.
Love the view, gorgeous!!!
Hey, my parents live in Wilmington! They took off on their vacation just about the exact time you arrived, haha. 🙂 I’m jealous of your lunch at the Pilot House–I haven’t gotten to eat there in a good three or four years!
Maybe too personal, but just wondering. Do your parents split the cost of a week at a beach house with Karen? I’m just asking because my mom seems to think that since my in-laws have more money that they should pay more of a percentage for a family vacation than her. It really puts me in an awkward position each year!!
Not Kath but perhaps what our family did will help: All adults pay equally toward housing rental, groceries and share in the cooking. My parents would laugh me out of the house if I suggested they & my MIL split the cost of a beach house for them + me, sister & significant others. The argument could be made to assist someone in college – but if they are married, living on their own, then they are adults and can save for vacation like the rest of us. (Of course, the exception is if someone falls on hard times, loses a job or some unexpected crisis). So maybe if everyone shares equally, then there will be no issue?
That’s a hard judgement call. Every family does it differently, and it’s different every time too. Sometimes the inviting family pays for the whole thing, other times it’s split, but I think you just gotta let them work it out and try not to be the middle man as best you can.
Kath, I just want to say that your thoughtful response, though not directed at me or a situation similar to the one your responded to, really helped give me some perspective with a family matter. I found comfort in it. Thank you.
Very glad 🙂
Looks like everyone is already having a fun time! I would love a beachy getaway right about now 🙂
Gorgeous house!
I have to ask…how does one practice being in labor without having gone through it? I ask because, having delivered three children, there is no way I could have known/practiced for what it was really like. Just curious…
Taking a horrible pain and breathing through it, visualization, etc
Aw your sister looks SO happy! Best wishes to her.
Pure Awesomeness!!!!
xo
I love that Karen comes on vacation too with her in-laws! It’s not something you usually see so it is really wonderful that you all get along so well. Have a fantastic vacation!
Congrats to larbs and matt!
And congrats on making it to the beach – enjoy!
Beautiful home, beautiful views, & fun & relaxation to be had… You cannot ask for more 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
WOW classic Karen!! The pictures are great, Kath – have a wonderful vacation!
such a stunning house!
Did Matt pack a full CO2 tank? Haha — so awesome
Indeed!
I’m so jealous, first that your on vacation, second that you are having good weather. We had flash floods last night and chances of rain and thunderstorms pretty much the whole weekend! Mwah!
Never been to a beach on the east coast! Enjoy!
We used to LIVE ON Wrighsville Beach! North on Lumina Avenue, north of the pier, at the very end before you can see Figure Eight. WOW. Kath…this is so nostalgic for me to see. It’s where Scott and I started our life together 12 years ago. On that beach. And to see these pics is just awesome (between this and your Bald Head Island posts…I love that you go to NC!)
HAVE FUN!
Lovely pic of Matt & Karen- definitely frame-worthy :)!
those pictures are gorgeous! I love little seaside towns like that. where exactly did you go? haha sorry if I missed that!
Carolina beach off of Wilmington, nc
You take such wonderful pictures especially the ones from the top of the house looking down on the people below (Laura and Matt cooking on the BBQ) And just to say… I do tend to like the “long” paragraphs you write… you have such a good sense of humor!
holy moly. if i walked into the bathroom and saw the booger man sitting there, i think i would pee my pants! lol. that’s hilarious!!!
your sister’s ring is gorgeous. congrats to her and her soon to be hubby!
That is my dream vacation! Keep us posted…your room is adorable. Love every view!
I feel your thumb pain, I slammed mine last night, I told my husband the pain was worse than labor…:)
Have fun tomorrow.
is that love = love shirt a gay equity solgan? cause that’s awesome if it is!!!
Yeah!
Do you know where he got it? I want one!
He spoke on a panel at Duke about love (he was a “straight long term relationship” representative” 🙂 )
Ok, “blogger man” is seriously SCARY!!!!
haha, love that joke in the bathrooms!
That house (and that view!) look absolutely incredible. Enjoy it!
Congratulations to your sister! Wonderful news for your family 🙂 Have a great vacation!
What’s in the keg?!
Basil wheat and a malty brown!
Ooo Matt brews?? How’s the basil wheat?? (others opinions!)
Strong! Perfumey, people preferred the brown, but he loves it.
Looks awesome! Bet you can’t wait for long walks on the beach…I know that is what I would be looking forward to!
Huge congratulations to Larbs on her engagement…she’s looking especially glowing in that red dress and Matt’s t-shirt just about says it all 🙂 A summer beach wedding sounds so fitting given your family’s adoration of the Carolina coast towns. Whee!
All of that food looks incredible! I hope you are able to enjoy it all and that you are feeling well! I hear Wilmington is awesome. I am craving a vacation right now!!! Have fun!
The beach is beautiful, the food is amazing and you guys look happy, the recipe for a perfect vacation!
That view is gorgeous! It looks like the perfect place for a relaxing vacation. I hope you all enjoy it! Also, congrats to Larbs and Matt. 🙂
Karen’s hair is looking good – glad it grew back. I think my dad’s treatment has made him permanently bald, but since he’s a guy he can get away with that!
Beautiful beach house! Nothing like staying right ON the beach. 🙂 I’ve never been there but it’s on my list. 🙂 Sounds like you are going to have a fantastic weekend.
Congrats to your sister! That place looks beautiful! The view is incredible. Have a great time! 🙂
Karen certainly has an “interesting” sense of humor…Love it!! The house looks beautiful and inviting!
Love the pictures! The bread lined up on the counter is a great advertisement for Great Harvest. I think that granite is what we have in our kitchen. The Booger Man is too funny! Enjoy the time with your family, it looks like you have a lot of fun together. So much fun to be able to celebrate an engagement and a new baby coming into the family soon.
That beach house is gorgeous! Love the picture of your sister & her hubby-to-be. 🙂 Have a great time on your vacation, Kath! I’ll be living vicariously through you and your vacation photos! 😉
So pretty! I love the shot looking down on the grill. Very tasty-looking. 🙂
Oh.my.goodness.
Your pictures perfectly capture the joy of being at the beach with family…Where do I sign up?!
Enjoy your vacation! I’m still counting down the days till I’m at the beach with family (22days by the way!)
I love your sunglasses!
What a gorgeous view…looks like a fabulous time!
Wow, your sister is so gorgeous, and so is her ring! I bet she’ll plan an amazing wedding.
What a beautiful place to take a vacation! Have a great time while you are there!
Looks like you’re having a wonderful time! Congrats to your sister! How are you all going to keep the 2 Matts straight? Are they going to be called “Matt #1” and “Matt #2”? Or “Kathy’s Matt” and “Larbs’ Matt”?
My Matt goes by Kanz! Matt A is Matt 🙂
all the pictures are beautiful – I love the one of the happy engaged couple 🙂 have a good time at the beach!
Hey! I recognize that beach! I was just there the first week of May. I hope your weather is as amazing as our was!
You have the most amazing family. That is so great that you can all vacation together and get along. My husbands name is Brad and my best friend also married a Brad, so it gets confusing. Good thing your Matt goes by Kanz. Have a great weekend!!
If everybody is there then who has Lillis billis?
🙁 She is lonely and under the care of our neighbors
The beach looks beautiful!! Sorry about your thumb. I wish labor was only as painful as a slammed finger in the door, but I must report that it is much much more painful and lasts much longer. Of course I’m sure you already figured that. 🙂 Have a great trip!
What a gorgeous place!! We are off to Cambodia today, so onwards to pack and get ready for our own adventure, afterwards I’m sure there will lots o’ long paragraphs to write;) I loved how you did the photos at the end…snapshots to tell a story.
The house looks lovely! I am cracking up at the fact that Karen put the boogey man in the bathrooms to scare people – he is creepy!!
I love that bathroom as well – it looks like it has so many cabinets/drawers for storage.
Congrats to Matt and Laura.
I think I have found my new bedroom color! I want a beachy feeling to my house, while still keeping the dining room and living room formal. The bedroom is the bees knees! I love it!
I didn’t realize you were in Wilmington! I have family there and I practically lived there every summer during my childhood, and some of my adulthood. It’s a very fun place! 🙂
Hallo Kath,
I’ve been following your blog for a while – my daily blogfix!
This place looks fantastic. Where is it? It looks like a place from the movies and I would die to go on vacation there one day.
Have a nice day
Best
Birgitte
Copenhagen, Denmark
Carolina beach!