holiday

we just returned home from a wonderful fourth-of-july vacation in southport, nc. it was one of those vacations where time went by too fast and it made us realize that we don't get to do it often enough. [le sigh]

on the 4th, we did what any good american would do, we had a cookout. we grilled burgers, hotdogs, and chicken. we had potato salad and coleslaw. it was a good 'ole american barbeque. and of course, we had beer. after we ate, we watched and listened to the fireworks. it was a great day spent with family.

the rest of the weekend we enjoyed the sites and sounds of the coast. we got out on the lake [kayaking and paddle boating]. orso even took his first paddle boat ride. he was a little nervous at first. after all we were trying to force him into this wobbly object. but once we got moving and he felt the breezes on his face, he loved it!

orso's first paddle boat ride. such a happy boy!

layla enjoyed the lake too. she was busy turtle watching ;)

after a semi-lazy day on friday [hanging out on lake], we headed out to hops for dinner. it is an american gastropub. i got the fried-egg BLT and keith had the cuban. we both enjoyed our meals. the beer selection was pretty decent too. they have a large draught selection along with a bottled beer selection. so, if you are a beer snob [which we can be], this is the place for you.
after dinner we went to airlie gardens for their summer concert series [keith's brother works there]. it was a fairly cool night, so it was enjoyable to sit outside, have a glass of wine and listen to some music. we also walked around the gardens a little bit. it is absolutely beautiful.

our sweet nephew, henry, enjoying the lawn concert :)

airlie oak.

US. [love]

the crowd.

the water. ahhh.

on saturday we spent the day in downtown wilmington with some friends of ours, matt and nick. they were kind enough to show us around to some of the local spots [that we had never been to before]. we ate lunch at one of [our] favorite places front street brewery. from there we headed on to a couple of other local bars [cape fear beer and wine; duck and dive]. it was another beautiful day to be outside, walk around, and enjoy the sunshine. it was nice to get outside and have a break from all of that rain!

our trip came to an end on sunday, when we had to head back home [insert huge sad face]. however, we did not leave wilmington without stopping at capriotti's. i mean, we just [had] to get a sub for the road. and it was totally worth it. 

we always hate for vacation to end, but it sure was nice to sleep in our own bed last night.

i hope everyone else had just as nice of a holiday weekend as we did!

xoxo,

ks