Our family reunion this year was at Outer Banks North Carolina. The kids and I flew to DC and spent a some time at Ben and Sarah's house. My parents rented us the most incredible beach house. It had more than enough room for all of us, a hot tub on the third floor balcony, and a swimming pool.
Graysen enjoying what he deemed the best burger he's ever had from the
Burger Joint in Old Town Alexandria Virginia.
Ben and Sarah are so close to so much history. In this part of Alexandria the sidewalks are brick, there are gas lamps, and people in George Washington-esque attire lead tours.
We were able to see a few national monuments before it got too late, the Washington monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.
It was amazingly quiet at the Vietnam Veterans memorial, definitely a feeling of reverence there.
Dad with the boys before leaving Virginia and heading to the beach.
Naomi planned that when we arrived at the beach house, she'd explore the house, pick a bedroom, and jump in the pool. I think she reached the jump in the pool stage of her plan in less than five minutes!
After church we took a few pictures of the family. I love this one of Mom and Dad surrounded by their grandkids.
Naomi loved her time to soak up the sun, you can't tell from this picture, but she's in the process of being buried in sand from the waist down.
Lot's of sand construction.
This was my first experience crabbing and I had no idea what to expect. It was so much fun to chase crabs, stun them with flashlights and get them in the bucket. I know there's a popular theory out there about crabs in a bucket and how if there's one crab in the bucket it will climb out but if there are more than one in the bucket they won't get out, they'll just keep pulling each other back in. No one told our crabs about this rule. Notice in the picture how none of us will get very close to the bucket?
Gray and I got up early one morning to watch the sunrise, it was kind of fun. We'd only ever seen a sunset over the ocean.
Each family took turns making a dinner. Abe and Erin made us a yummy Indian meal (and I don't like Indian food). The kids loved helping make the samosas.
Sunset on the Currituck Sound.
We went to the Roanoke Island Festival Park with Mom, Dad, Erin and Jonah.
We explored a Native American settlement. Jonah's so cute!
We also got to board a ship. Might I mention that it was a million degrees and 99% humidity.
There was a discovery museum with lots of hands on displays for the kids to play with.
Gray and I went on a sunset kayak trip with Mom, Dad, Steph and Rachel. It was the perfect evening to be on the water.
Gray and I had a great lesson in teamwork in the tandem kayak and Gray was an incredible powerhouse at the back of the boat.
If there was ever a time I couldn't find Naomi, this is where I'd usually discover her. She took her leisure time seriously.
Steph brought her water color paints and we spent an afternoon painting.
We biked over to the Currituck Beach lighthouse and climbed to the top.
Lots and lots of pool time.
Amelia was an impressive swimmer with that cast on her arm. I never heard one complaint from her about being stuck in a cast at the beach.
The incredible beach house that Mom and Dad got us. We had an absolutely perfect week!
I cannot say how much I loved these chairs. Kory now has a new project on his plate.
On our way back from the Outer Banks we stopped at Kitty Hawk. Amazing the work that was done by the Wright brothers. And yes, Naomi was finally worn out.
Such a fun vacation, great time with my family and also loved that my kids had time to strengthen their relationships with their cousins.
