Koopsen Spring Break

Over the next few days, you are going to enjoy a BEHIND THE SCENES look at how the Koopsen family works.  I'm currently staying in a beach house with thirteen of the world's finest human beings - my family.  Okay, I admit, they're technically Rex's family, but I married him so therefore they're legally mine too.  Today is day two of our trip.  Yesterday we spent thirteen hours in the car getting to Aunt Carol's house in Cary, NC, and today we drove another three hours to Topsail Island and our wonderful beach house.  Here is our view from the back door:

Does life get any better than this!?  There are six bedrooms here too, so Rex and I get our own bedroom and bathroom.  WHOA!  What luxury!

So far, the trip has been very fun.

Well, mostly fun.  98% fun.  The other 2% is the FIFTEEN HOURS over the past two days that I have listened to Rex and his dad's crazy bluegrass and classic country music.  I call it caterwauling.  How many times can a guy lose his truck?  How many times can he sing praises of his dog?  How many times do I have to listen to the timeless truth that "you can't rollerskate in a buffalo herd"?  (Yes, that is an actual line from one of the songs).  It was driving me a bit insane by the end.

This morning I got to go for an awesome run in the park behind Aunt Carol's house.  It has beautiful scenery and a pristine lake.  Also, the weather was warm because we're in the South now.  That park is literally my favorite place in the country to run.  It was a great treat.

On the way to the beach house we stopped at an Orvis Outdoor Center for Rex and his dad.  I had a sneaking suspicion that the music playing in there might talk about more trucks and dogs and banjos, so I opted out and went to a Charming Charlies - my favorite accessories store (and we don't have it in Michigan!).  I tried on this crystal mask and wished I had a reason to buy it.  If you can think of a justification, please do leave it in the comments.  :-)

Once we got to the beach house, Aunt Sue and Uncle Ade started cooking dinner (it is their family's night - each family is taking a night to cook - can you believe how functional this family is?!).  They made the most amazing chicken tacos I've ever had.  While they were cooking, my cousin Clare did my hair.  With no bobby pins and no hair ties, THIS is what she came up with:

Isn't she talented?!  I can hardly believe she did that.  I told her she should charge people to do their hair for prom.

Now we're sitting in the living room watch MSU play for a spot in the NCAA championship game.  The score is 41-58 with Duke winning, so my hope in a championship is quickly fading.

I can't get too sad, though, because it's spring break and this trip is awesome!