Ocean Isle, North Carolina

Brayden finished his first semester on Friday, so we thought it was the perfect opportunity to have a quick weekend getaway! My parents friends, the Larkins, have a beach house in Ocean Isle, North Carolina and they were kind enough to let us use it! It was so much fun. It was nice to be together and not have anything to worry about any type of schoolwork, test, or anything! Driving up to North Carolina we realized that there are probably 100 amazing mini golf courses, and I mean like legit courses. We were looking for a place to eat on our way up, Brayden always says he is not good at trying new places to eat, so he said he was waiting for a restaurant to "pop out" at him. Luckily, one did! It was called Nacho Hippo. It was sooo good!! 

Next morning, we woke up and went to play some tennis. Brayden and I want to get better at playing tennis, we have a couple of friends that are really good. Since we don't like to lose we both have made it a goal to become better at it so we can beat them. :) Later in the day we headed to the beach. We laid out in the sun and brought some snacks and played Kubb. Unfortunately, I lost when we were playing Kubb. I am an awful loser, it is something I need to get better at...cause it puts me in a bad mood and Brayden just laughs at me. After the beach we went back to the house and set up our little croquet set (that we got from our wedding) on a grass area outside of the house. I cannot tell you the last time I have played croquet! My family used to play it all the time when we would go to San Diego every summer. It was so fun! Again, I struggled and lost...and Brayden laughed. But he was trying to be sweet and encouraging and helping me get better. By the end of the day, I definitely improved! 

The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing and just being together. It was the best. I love any time that I can get to spend with him! This was a perfect weekend. 

Our new little home

Here are a couple of pictures of our new very little home. And when I say home, I mean one-bedroom apartment, but still, it is so cute and I loved getting organized and doing a little bit of decorating with my mom.




One of my favorite wedding gifts was this drawing of the Newport Temple, I love it!
















I got this cute little pillow from my mom in the mail a couple weeks after moving here!







One of my favorite decorations is the Letterfolk board my mom got us! I think Brayden enjoys changing the messages more than me!! Here are a few of our messages over the past few weeks.

Saying goodbye to my childhood home

Well. It's happened... My parents officially moved out of this beautiful house today. It is hard for me to think about never being able to come "home" to this house again. For 21 years my family has called Brassie Lane home. This home holds so many memories. It is where my siblings and I would run down the hall lined up youngest to oldest on Christmas mornings to see what Santa had brought us. It is the place where we had numerous family get togethers, weddings, farewells, homecomings, holidays, bridal/baby showers, basketball practices, team parties, etc. It will forever be my home! But what I do know is that family is what makes a house a home and luckily, I have the best family there is. I am so thankful for all of the hardwork my parents put into this house, they are the reason why we had this beautiful home filled with all the amazing memories. 

This house will hold a special place in my heart. It is the place that I always dreamed about having my wedding reception. My reception was one of the last big events my mom was able to plan at this house. My mom did not disappoint, she went out of this house with a BANG. Every detail was perfect, every space of the backyard was utilized to the fullest, and of course the In-N-Out truck was on the driveway. It was like my parents built the house for an In-N-Out truck to fit perfectly. They are such smart thinkers :) 

It also was the place that we said goodbye to my grandma. For about the last month of her life she lived at our house in the guest bedroom. Even though it was a sad time because we knew she wouldn't be with us for much longer, it was still the best time. We constantly had family over watching, changing, feeding, eating dinner & pazookies (well that was until papa dave laid down the law and yelled "NO MORE PAZOOKIES!"). It was amazing how such a big family could fit so perfectly and comfortably in one place. It was perfect. 

This place is the perfect representation of how a home should be lived in. It is the so warm and cozy, just like a home should be.  

Don't worry about me, I'll just be eating away my feelings tonight.

Annual Zylstra Vacation

Every summer my family goes to Newport Beach for a vacation! It is probably by far my favorite thing each year. Unfortunately this year Brayden had school, which meant he couldn't come. But luckily I was still able to go! It was weird being gone from him that long, I think that is the longest we have spent apart since we got married. I missed him so much, but I was so happy I got to go since I knew he would be studying 24/7.

Newport was so fun! We went to the pool, the beach, Ruby Shake Shack, Fashion Island Mall, Balboa Island, Javier's, played some Kubb(where I got a little to competitive at), nail salon, etc. It was the best, most relaxing time. I love being able to spend time with my family, I wish we all lived closer so that it could be a usual thing, but for now these trips are as best as we can do!

Thank you mom and dad for another unforgettable vacation!

The floaties Grammy got us were a huge hit at the pool!

Wouldn't be a Newport vacation without Pa taking the grand kids to Balboa Candy!

These kids love spending time with Grammy and Pa! (but who can blame them!)

Morning walk along the beach!