obx 2017

For the past couple of years our family of four has joined some of our immediate family for a week at the beach in North Carolina. This year we also had my aunt and uncle as well as my cousin and her family. We had a great week even with 6 kids under the age of 6 running around the house. I took this picture the night we arrived. The clouds were so amazing and fluffy that evening.

The first day we were at the beach there were these neat little tidal pool areas where the kids were able to play without being too close to the waves.

My cousin's son Tanner really enjoyed running up and down the beach. He was pretty fearless for a 3 year old.

Had to get a picture with mom. Big thanks to my parents for making this trip happen every year.

My cousin, her husband and daughter posing by the pier.

These next two are of my nieces.

My sister and her husband.

We had a couple of hot tub days when the weather turned chilly. The kids loved their miniature pool.

Bunch of busy bodies.

My cousin made some great shirts that the kids colored with markers. She personalized each shirt with things each kid was interested in. Lots of fun on a rainy day at the beach.

We all took a trip to the local aquarium.

This is one my favorites. So much wonder in these kids.

And you can't go to the beach without playing a round of miniature golf.

Hot tub selfie.

This was the best and biggest apple fritter we have ever had. They called it an apple ugly.

On the ferry to Ocracoke Island.

Family picture on the beach quilt that Melissa made years ago.

The four of us spent a day on Ocracoke Island. It was a great way to end our week.

The weather didn't cooperate the first time we tried to get these, but the kids were ready for a beach photoshoot on our last day at the beach and I think we captured some good ones. I love when they hold hands.

I think by the look of it, vacation was awesome!

California here we come...

We began the summer with a family beach trip to North Carolina including some of the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Then we took a long weekend trip to Virginia to attend a friend's wedding. Our final trip of the summer took us to sunny Southern California and we've got some pictures to prove it. The picture below pretty much sums up the trip. Even though its a cheesy backdrop, our kids soaked up the sun every day and had a blast meeting new friends from all over the world.

Both kids are old enough to kind of do their own thing in the pool. They still like to be near mommy and daddy, but can hold their own...as long as they are wearing their floaties of course.

Boys love to shoot, don't they?

Even mommy and daddy got on some of the slides.

It was so cute watching them play together. They really are best friends.

 

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They were promised m&m's and pudding to capture this cute shot.

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We were lucky to spend a day at Disneyland. This was our kids first experience doing anything like this and they loved it. We were at the park from 8am-5pm and while everyone was exhausted at the end of the day, it was an experience we'll never forget.

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Look at this cool blonde boy (thanks to the California sun)!

We even got to visit Pixie Hollow and Charlotte got to meet one of her heroes...Tinkerbell, complete with the white pom poms on her shoes and all.

Oggie Doggie really enjoyed sitting on Pluto's dog bed inside of Mickey's house.

We had to do the tea cups.

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At about 3pm, Ollie took a short cat nap while Charlotte and daddy rode Hyperspace Mountain and Thunder Mountain Railroad. Charlotte is my little thrill seeker and I love it!

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When Melissa and I were in Los Angeles last summer, someone suggested we visit the big orange balloon at the Orange County Great Park. It didn't work out for us to go last summer so we made it happen this time around. As you can see its a big orange balloon that has a tether and goes up 400 feet in the sky. We got there early because reservations fill up quickly and we got to go up on the first ride of the evening.

Here is a view from up top looking down.

And a selfie from 400 feet above the ground.

They even had an old time carousel that we got to ride afterwards.

On our final day we headed to Laguna Beach to play. But before we put swim suits on the kids, we snapped a few pictures.

Ollie was obsessed with the seaweed and made all sorts of creations with it.

We had a great time in California and can't wait to plan next summer's fun.