Well after a one-year hiatus from visiting our family stateside, Alexis, Jacques, Timothee and I were finally able to spend 2 fantastic weeks enjoying the sun, beach, and most importantly our family, in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. We have been vacationing in the Outer Banks for as long as I can remember, and it seems to be one of the few magical spots where we can get almost everyone together for a long vacation. Unfortunately this year, we were missing a few major players: Becky, Andrew and of course Buddy...but they did have a good excuse since they just made a big move to the West Coast. We hope to see you guys next year!!
Almost every day in the OBX had at least a little bit of time designated for the beach and pool. Sand and water are definitely magical ingredients to keep kids happy and playing for hours. For Alexis and me, this time usually started a little bit earlier than desired...but there is something pleasant as well about being one of the first people on the beach in the morning.
Enjoying the first few rays of sun...
We didn't take the camera out in the sand very often (well with the exception of the sand dunes), but that didn't stop us from snapping a few good shots of the family in action. Here are a few of our most memorable moments. Enjoy!
1) Kite flying
After talking for days about kite flying, we were finally blessed with a sunny and very windy day. It turns out that too windy to sail means perfect conditions for kites, so we took the boys over to the best place to learn about flying in town, the Wright Brothers Memorial.
The boys with their kites...
Marie tries her hand at flying one as well...
Our cheering team...
Kite? What kite?
Hold on tight!
You too, Evan!!
After kite flying, we found the energy to hike up to the top of the monument. It's a good thing that the wind made it feel less hot than it was!
Family photo...
2) Chillin' around the cottages
Typically, once the day started to wind down, and the sun was no longer high in the sky, that meant one thing...playground time!
The pirates of the ship...
Captain Sam
Tag, you're it!
Higher, higher!
Tim kisses...
3) The Sand Dunes.
One of our favorite things to do in the OBX is to visit Jockey's Ridge State Park, home to one of the tallest natural sand dunes on the East Coast. As you can see in the photo, the dunes are best visited at dusk since the sun is no longer beating down and the sand has had a chance to cool down for little feet. Otherwise, it's just hot hot hot!
The Dunes...
This year there must have been a LOT of rain, because there were quite a few natural pools around the dunes which have coincidentally turned into a favorite spot for spawning frogs. When we visited the dunes there must have been thousands of little tadpoles swimming around and nearly as many tiny frogs hopping along making the long voyage to the sound. Needless to say, at times it was best not to look down and just walk...there were just soooo many froggies!
Frogs!
Jack trying to catch a tadpole...
Enjoying all that sand
4) Birthday Time!
Usually, beach time corresponds with birthday time as well...and this year the lucky guys were Sammy and Evan. Amanda and Joe threw a great pizza party birthday bash complete with Jiggers and chocolate cupcakes. Happy birthday, boys!!
The birthday boys...
5) Fishing on the Pier
After much talk about fishing, Alexis and Jack finally got the chance to cast their rods at Jeanette's Pier. Although the fish weren't biting, Jack was the luckiest fisherman on the pier and kept reeling them in.
Look Mama...a BIG one!!
Tim and Mama watching the fishermen
This was the first time we ever spent 2 full weeks at the beach and I'm definitely looking forward to a repeat of it next year. Angie, you were right, 1 week is just too short!!
As always though, the hardest part of vacation ending with our families is that we are never sure when the next one will be. Here's hoping to sooner rather than later! Thanks for an amazing vacation everyone!
