Back to school

 Did I blink? Summer is over already and the kids are heading back to school. Matt has two full sessions (that hasn't happened in a few years - I say it is because he is an awesome instructor!). Brenner is starting his senior year and Nola her freshman. They are at the same school! While all this is "normal" we had a not normal event. While on vacation, Aunt Theresa was in the hospital with each day being touch and go. Matt was super upset that he couldn't be there. BUT Aunt Theresa is a tough stubborn cookie (perhaps she has Hilbrenner in her) and she hung on so that we could see her. I am so proud of the kids going into that hospital room to tell her goodbye - for now. Aunt Theresa couldn't talk but she gestured (strummed a guitar) for Brenner's Jimi Hendrix t-shirt and held both their hands. You won't find a more compassionate, loving person. I have kept doing this blog for her (and my mom). She would text me looooong texts commenting on each picture and complain that I needed to put myself in more pictures. Aunt Theresa never let you doubt how much you were loved and cherished. Boomerang, Aunt Theresa, Boomerang. 

We spent July 2013 in New Jersey with Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck during one of their worst heat waves. I remember going to the zoo and having the best time despite the heat. Theresa was full of fun - especially Mr. Grump stories. We love you and miss you, Aunt Theresa. 

Nola went to the Hudson Westbrook at the State Fair with Clare - they had the best time!

Back to school shopping the Saturday before school started and move in weekend for MU sororities and fraternities. Now to be fair - Nola had an awesome time and was just in a Pancheros burrito coma here but this face shows my feelings of the mall haha. 

Lots of construction noise this week outside my office. Still beats the toilet flushing so I won't complain.

Nola spent extra time on her back to school outfit and hair. 

She was nervous for the first day. A friend was giving her a ride so no 6:20 am bus pick up. 

Brenner (senior) and Nola (freshman). Brenner did a great job getting up and not complaining about a picture - win win! 

They even let me do a selfie with them! 

Nola and her riding buddies. Both kids got into the groove. I have a feeling this year will pass fast!

Saturday's weather was glorious - cooler and less humidity. I harvested by basil for pesto and Matt and I did a bunch of yard work. 

Brenner spent Saturday fishing and caught this channel cat. 

Matt also carved out time to move Brenner's drum set to the shop - I think we will all be happy. Watch out world - you new drummer may be coming!

We ate sushi Saturday night before going to the Missouri River Festival of the Arts with some friends. We heard Grammy award winner Leonard Slatkin conduct to Mozart and Beethoven. It was wonderful - although hot (thanks perimenopause). 

Pine Knoll Shores Redoux - Part 3 (The people)

 The people make our lives more colorful and fun. We are so happy to share this trip with you!

Our whole crew!

The Hinck Clan.

Pure joy.

Pure ornery.

Yes I am always cold!

When did she get so tall?!

One of these made himself right at home the first night....Beano anyone? (It's not for the blonde)

Drinks on the porch.

Silliness abounds!

Grandma always had her book nearby!

Matt, matt, matt (imagine my head shaking). 

Grandma with the sons-in-law!

Awww the "asshat" cat. 

So interesting the faces she can make. 

Insert heart emoji. 

Insert laugh emoji. 

Grandma and her favorite. Not really but really?

Alec - this kid was always smiling and laughing. 

Evening on the beach. 

She did it?

The Bynums!

A fun picture that Chris took from our condo balcony.

The girls finally went to the pool. They didn't come back at time. I went looking and low and behold there were two boys there. I am SO glad they didn't find the pool until our last night :)

Tiny bench!

Love.

Pine Knoll Shores Redoux - Part 2 (The adventures)

 We tried something new this trip - letting each kid bring a friend. Boy was that a great idea! Nola brought Korynn and Brenner brought Alec. Matt road in the car with the boys and the rest of us piled into Grandma's Traverse. We had the room and car space so it worked out nicely. Plus it was a bonus to have Aunt Lynnie and Uncle Chris with us as well. 

Nola has been interested in going to Duke so we made a slight detour to get lost on campus. We eventually found the sign to grab a picture though!

Boogie board time! Matt still proved he was a pro at 52 (not pictured!).

Brenner before losing his prescription sunglasses. Do you wonder if his parents suggested putting on the croakies to not lose them. Hmmmm.........

Brenner did great too. Some adventures of boogie boarding included Alec losing his trunks in front of Nola and Korynn losing her top in front of Matt. Yep - it happened but I think all involved have blocked it.

The girls! Koyrnn was a little nervous at first but then jumped right in. 

Can you believe that the girls stepped on this conch in surf their first night walk down the beach. They decided to dig and voila! It is in perfect condition!

Matt loves surf fishing. Catching a flounder was a first for him.

Parasailing in Beaufort. The girls and Alec were very excited. Lynn was trying it for the first time and Brenner only did it because Alec wanted to. I happily stayed behind with Chris and mom.

On the boat!

Lymm did it! Way to go! The girls loved loved loved it. Brenner did not!

We got ice cream then Chris and I explored an old cemetery.

Charter near shore fishing trip meant an early start. There was some seasickness but our crew got over it pretty quick when the fish started biting.

Brenner with that big one that got away!

One of my favorite pictures from our whole trip. 

Spanish mackerel anyone? Not all were ours - about half were. The group the night before didn't want theirs so we got to take them. 

As Judi Vogan would say - you catch them you clean them. And boy were they delicious!

While the crew was fishing, my friend Katherina came to visit and we had the best day on the beach!

We hauled our kayaks all the way down so we had to use them. We decided to go to the Rachel Carson Preserve. Our put in was farther away from the inlet than we thought and there was a good headwind. 

The wild horses were neat......we were like wow - nobody else it out here - pretty cool. Note mudflat behind us. Only us Midwesterners would go during low tide. I admittedly got hangry a time or two but we made it back - and even spoke (and laughed) at each other on the way back to the condo! We also learned that our kayaks are crappy for anything except calm lake fishing! But what an arm workout we got. And an adventure!

Matt caught this nice drum. Before you knew it - other fisherman were doing it Matt style - in the surf about waist high. And the following day a neighbor stole his fishing spot lol! Matt watched them catch big drum all day.

The girls packed dresses to do a beach photo shoot. 

Mom - come take a selfie with us.

My photo shoot lol!

And now for some ridiculousness from the trip! Well more so than my skipping down the beach!

I am glad Fort Macon was free because I took issue with their revisionist history - with the "war between the states". 

Oh - and that Robert E. Lee you may have learned about in school?  He was really a conservationist - let's tell that story!

Barf.