The week of Outer Banks 2015
Oh what a glorious time of year this is for me and your Miller family! For me, this time truly holds a very special place in my heart because this is where your Daddy introduced me to his family after having only dated a month or so. When we pulled up to our house for the week, your Grandma came bounding out of the door and embrace me with hug! Instantly I felt like I was a part of them and that this would be my future. It was so natural, everyone was so nice and it was one of the greatest weeks I had ever had up to that time! This past week (week of June 29th) was no exception! We had a wonderful time! We were in a new house, "Livin' in 3/4 Time"! It was a gorgeous home. A little more modern than good ole "Flip Floppin" and it had a great pool. The beds not as comfortable but I liked the addition of the front porch option and the theater room!
We started the trip off early evening on Friday and drove about half way and stopped for the night. It was late/early, almost 1am. We were all very tired and your daddy did an amazing job driving us through the mountains of North Carolina in the dark AND the rain!
We were up bright and early and ready for the next leg of the drive! We only stopped once because you slept for an entire three hours! (thanks for that) and you experienced your first milkshake! Well...honestly it was a scoop of ice cream that melted but that counts!
Finally we arrived! Everyone was so excited to see each other! Our first night usually consists of getting settled, eating pizza, relaxing and discussing the week's adventures and plans!
You were not a big fan of the pool early on, as a matter of fact you really didn't enjoy the pool until our last day!
Unfortunately our room didn't offer much shade from the sunlight so you were often up with the sun!
Almost every night before you went to bed you talked about Aubrey and almost the first word out of your mouth when you woke up was Aubrey! I don't blame you! She's a great gal and an AMAZING big cousin! Even when you were screaming or being demanding she was also so sweet and understanding! It was really sweet to watch!
Well good morning Sunshine!
Breakfast on the back deck!
You were a little grumpy, clingy and whiny this trip. Not the whole time of course but for the most part you weren't your normal spunky, jovial self. I totally get it too. There were a lot of people and you do much better in smaller groups. We were in a new place and you aren't the type that just gets right to it. You need some time to observe, check it out, scope the scene and then you're ready to get at it!
Each night a family takes a turn preparing a meal for the group! Our family went first! It was Hawaiian night! (not pictured are grumpy toddler and Grandpa because he was next to me! - I got better at these)
It rained off and on (mostly off) the entire trip but look at this beautiful rainbow!
Then after dinner we had an EPIC dance party! It was too much fun! You really let go and danced your booty off!
Oh and we did the London Bridge is Falling Down game too!
Monday afternoon while Daddy was trying to get you to take a nap, I decided to take a long walk on the beach down to the pier!
We had a delicious BBQ dinner that night courtesy of the Machovina/Harton family followed by a sunset trip to the beach. This was the only time you got your toes in the sand/ocean!
Tuesday morning was one of my favs! Grandma came up with the great idea of a tea party on the front deck! It was so nice out there! A salty cool breeze, shade and your daddy! He is such a great daddy! But you already knew this!
A Red White and Blue true American dinner that night made by the Collins and Miller family! It was festive and fun!
To top it all off, it was Dirty Bingo night! For an exhausted two year old! You did VERY well! I was impressed! Your momma by the way cleaned up! I won several rounds resulting in some Oreo cookies for your dad, some Cheerios for you and $15 lotto ticket! Boom!
Wednesday morning we decided to adventure away from the beach and go to the North Carolina Aquarium! As an added bonus they were having their dinosaur exhibit!
River Otters! (these might be my favorite!)
They have a sea turtle rescue center. They rescue them from various parts of the ocean and rehab them until they are better!
They even had an area where you could be the scientist, pick a sea turtle, examine him/her to see what was wrong with them, treat them, rehab them and then send them back to the ocean! It was so cool.
The Examination
A little physical therapy to see if they can swim again
And now back to the ocean!
You were not in a very good mood this day. You were a little grumpy and
just didn't enjoy yourself they way you normally would at an aquarium.
We rushed through many of the exhibits.
As a matter of fact we skipped
the shark exhibit because you were having a melt down for some
yogurt! I thought, where in the world will I find some yogurt!? What are the chances that the snack shop at the aquarium would have some yogurt?? And lo' and behold...Gogurt to the rescue! I was amazed! And thrilled! There's my happy child! Welcome back cutie patootie!
On the way home we stopped at Striper's for a more substantial lunch! Here you are chilling out watching the boats with your favorite cousin Aubrey!
Dinner that night was Italian compliments of Aunt Karen and Jenny too! She made some mean meatballs!
Since your daddy and I rarely get a chance to have an overnight all alone we decided we would try to get away for one to celebrate our anniversary. I gotta tell you, I was nervous! You had been so clingy and whiny and timid, I just wasn't sure if you were ready. But I had been preparing you throughout the evening that we were going out for some alone time after dinner and sure enough we finished eating and you hopped down from the table and joined your cousins in the living room and were content as could be! So we tiptoed out the door! You had a blast and you were an angel all night!
Aunt Mindy sent photo updates throughout the night and life was good! You made crafts!
You ate ice cream!
And played dress up with the puppies!
While your daddy and I relaxed! Awww!! Thanks baby girl!
The next morning after breakfast we rejoined the rest of the family at the beach house. You were on the front deck having a tea party hang out!
Then we went to explore the treats of Buxton just a few miles down the road. We shopped at the cutest little toy store and then the book shop and finished with a fun game of putt putt golf!
See how much fun you are having!? Actually you just got mad a me because I wanted to use the phone to take this picture and you were watching a video!
The we got all dressed up to go out to eat! We always take a few photos when we're dressed up!
It was just a little windy!
We had a lovely dinner at the Inn at Pamlico sound!
The last day is always a little sad. I feel like we all move a little slower in anticipation that it will make the day go by longer! We visited the Cape Hatteras historical lighthouse. You aren't quite tall enough to climb it but someday! It's a really neat experience!
We decided to have some fun at the local park then have some lunch!
Dinner that night was a help yourself to leftovers accompanied with some great tales of our family history!
And then of course, you finally decided to enjoy the pool! I'm so glad that you got some more bonding time with your Godparents and cousin!
Another really fun tradition is the shirt photo day! Either Grandpa or Uncle Bob pick the color and design. There was even a fashion show of all of the t-shirts from the past!
Unfortunately, you did not want to wear your shirt and you did not want to take any pictures! I'm glad we got a few though!
Not quite like the last time!
Then it was time to clean up, pack and get ready to go home! This is my least favorite part of the trip! It just seems so final! And everyone seems to rush and it just goes by too fast for me! I never want it to end!
Goodbye OBX! We'll see you in 2017!
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