Topsail Island, Part 1: The Catchings Clan

After a wonderfully mundane month, the final weekend of September was filled with emotion.  As is the case every year during  the last few days of September, our hearts and prayers were with the Howard family.  As most of you know, their youngest child and only son, Drew, passed away a mere 4 hours before his 9th birthday seven years ago.  As a parent and sister myself, I can't even begin to fathom what they go through every year at this time.  I am fortunate to be able to hang out with them for a little while every year during this difficult week, and they always handle it with tremendous strength and grace.  Andrew Boyd Howard will always be remembered and honored in this house <3.

For this particular year though, in addition to the emotions aroused by the anniversary of Drew's death and birthday, there were also the emotions that come along with family celebration.  My sister-in-law, Becky, decided to reaffirm her wedding vows to Steven, whom she married on 12-12-12.  The ceremony was held right on the beach at Topsail Island, and the backdrop was as beautiful as anyone could have hoped for.  After a delicious rehearsal dinner at Daddy Mac's on Friday night, the boys were able to spend some fun quality time with Goggi, Papa Bill, Papa, and Granny at the beach on Saturday.  Once the sand was washed away, we all got dressed in our pink and blue best for the ceremony!  So, without further ado, here's a look at our time at Topsail Island with the Catchings Clan!

Me and my big guy!

We had such a good time at the beach! 

The boys were very well behaved the whole time :)

Sticking together during the rehearsal!

Practice makes perfect!

Tommy was being a Mama's boy and wanted to come stand with me for a bit :)

Family photo time!!

And, of course we had to get one with the beautiful ocean in the background!

Goggi took the boys for little stroll before dinner, while Becky and Steven walked their dogs :)

Quite possibly my favorite picture of Becky all-time...very sweet <3

Steven and Killbot with their crystal blue eyes!

Daddy and Ethy...

oops!  bumped heads!!

There are my three handsome guys <3 <3 <3 

And, of course a picture of Goggi with her 3 favorite guys...sorry Bill!! 

I made sure to get up to watch the sunrise the next morning, September 28th.  The song 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman has become a very significant song to me since the miscarriage of our third child.  I hoped to capture this image to put life to his words as I thought about the Howard family early that morning <3

Always in our hearts <3 <3 <3 

After breakfast, we all headed out to the beach.  Goggi and Papa Bill surprised the boys with a couple of new toys, including real kites!  

Tommy took to it right away, and it was a perfect day for flying a kite!

Thanks, Goggi!! 

Look at "Spidey" way up high in the sky! 

Daddy and Ethan had a little more trouble with their kite!

Davey and the "Cars" kite were about to have a face-off! 

It didn't seem to bother Ethan though :)

This shot was kinda cool, because as you can see it was almost directly in line with the sun...I just blindly held my camera up, and took a shot! 

Dad and son flying kites...so adorable!

Look at that crazy hair!!!!!!

Ethan finally got it to fly solo for a little while <3

Some fun in the sand with Goggi :)

And, maybe we have time for a little science lesson too!

Ethan says, "Ain't nobody got time fo dat!"

As I said, it was an absolutely perfect day at the beach :)

The sand was soft, but the sea was rough!  

And, it was Saturday after all....time for some football!

The boys getting in on the action with Papa Bill! 

"Ready...1....2....3..."

<_<.........we're going to have to work on this whole "catching" thing!!

time for a TO from football! 

"It got my toes!"

Okay, now I'm ready to play!

Tommy means business this time!!!

Okay, I LOVE this picture....does he, or does he not look like a little Philip Rivers here?!?!

"Ethan's turn!"

"Got it!!"

My silly goose :)

Granny and Ethan looking at shells :)

Papa Bill and Tommy having fun playing football together :)

<3

And, who is this sexy beast?! ;)

Okay, I love this next little series with Papa and Tommy--SO SWEET!!  I think it's safe to say that these two have a very special connection <3

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! 

Tommy seems to be cooking up a plan...

looking mischievous, for sure....

BAHAHAHA...I don't think he was on the winning end of this sand fight!!

Goggi and Ethy taking a spin!

Goggi also got the boys little "grabbers" to pick up shells or sand or anything else up with.
Ethan did not part with his dolphin grabber the entire time!

One last bucket of sand, water, and shells :)

My two little guys looking quite smart on their way out to the ceremony!

Davey and Tommy sported the groom's side color--capri blue

And Ethan and I went for the blush pink :)

Don't my guys all look so handsome?!

Ahhh, a pretty decent family photo!!

Ethan and his ginger counterpart, Danny, had fun shooting the breeze! 

A little guy talk pre-ceremony ;)

Let's get this show on the road!

Papa and Tommy heading down to get front-row seats!

Aunt Meg and Ethan were right behind them :)

Meg was pretty cute with Ethan...I think someone was nostalgic for a little red-head! 

The beach is a pretty fun playground for two preschool boys instead of sitting around and waiting in chairs!

Ethan had to have the rubber duck versions of the bride and groom in his hands at all times :)

The boys had a great time goofing around before the ceremony!

Twinsies!!

"Swarm, swarm, swarm!!!"

Time for a little jig...

dance, boys, dance!

Papa reeling in the boys so that they can finally take a seat!

"Come on down everyone!"

It was a very small ceremony, but it was nice to see family we hadn't seen in a long time <3

Guess who Tommy sat with during the ceremony?!

Steven was obviously excited to get things going!

Here I come..."please don't trip...please don't trip!"

My partner in crime, Courtney!!

And, here comes the bride!

A sweet moment here between Bill and Becky 

Bill did a really nice job officiating the vow renewal.

By the end of the ceremony, Tommy and Papa had switched hats!!

The bridal party, just after the ceremony :)

This one is one of my favorites...very cute expressions!

The entire wedding party:  Me, Courtney, Becky, Steven, Taryn, and Sydney

A very cute picture of the happy couple and Susie :)

Love this one of Danny and Ethan hanging out!

What would a blog post be without a honey badger reference...here he is trying to climb the trellis!

And........running away from us!!

And.........trying to take off his tie!

Daddy's got you now!! 

He seems a little too proud of himself imo ;)

The very definition of our Honey Badger!

I am totally in love with this picture of Tommy...tell me he doesn't look like a little Matt Bomer--so GQ!

Post ceremony....it was really nice to catch up with the fam!

Tim and Meg took full advantage of the gorgeous sky :)

The Boston Howard's <3

I can foresee a picture like this of Tommy and Ethan in about 18 years! 

Papa and Steven getting to know each other a little :)

Nathan and Sarah played the role of cupcake bar caterers....all of Sarah's creations received rave reviews!

Tommy might have been her biggest fan!

I seriously think he had about 9 mini cupcakes!!!

To finish things up, here's one last picture of me and my main squeeze <3