i kept some notes on my iPod Touch while we were there...sort of a beach journal to keep up with all that we did, so it would be easier to blog about it when we returned...but all that did, was make it even harder for me to know where to begin! there's no way i can tell u about everything that we did...trust me, i only had my camera along for about 1/2 of our adventures & i still took almost 400 pics! so in typical Sharon fashion...here's a picture marathon (with some commentary)...cause u know that's how i roll ;0)
the kiddos were amazingly well behaved on the ride down...they get better & better every year! of course, we got the "how much longer til we get there?" about every 1/2 hr or so...but mostly, they just watched movies & played with the stuff they brought along...surprisingly, no one napped...& we made it in 7hrs instead of our usual 8! i ranked it as a very successful drive...
& oh, the excitement when we finally crossed the bridge from Morehead City, over onto Emerald Isle!
the house was just as described...spacious & homey...beautiful wood beam rafters in every room...fully equipped/stocked kitchen, bathroom & laundry...a big front porch, plus a roof top deck...& of course, lovely central AC! perfect for a week-long vacay for our family of 5...& oh, plus Rocket ;0)
the front porch was the best! not only did we have an awesome view of the sound side of the island...but they also had these lattice gates made up, where we could block off the entrances/steps...i guess as baby gates - but for us, it kept Rocket from running off - he could come & go, in & out of the house, as he pleased :0)
as soon as we unloaded the truck, we headed down to the beach...just a short 2 block stroll on a nice sandy path...
Rocket didn't know what to think...but i don't think he exactly enjoyed the ocean...
in fact, i know he didn't...he is soooo not an outdoorsy dog...even on long walks on warm days at home, he'll randomly stop & take a break in any shade that we may pass...i think the beach was just asking too much ~lol~
but it sure didn't take the kiddos long to start enjoying themselves...
we stayed busy all week...but we also made sure to enjoy some relaxing family down time too...including having quiet time/naps almost every day! i know, crazy right?!
we went to the go kart track 2 different times...this pic is from our 1st trip - Jaden's so smug, cause he just beat our butts! ;0)
it only rained one time...a total downpour for about 15 minutes on our 2nd day there...that was the first time we got out the cards & had a family hand of Go-Fish going...but there were plenty of other card games throughout the rest of the week too
we went down to the sound side twice...mostly to just stroll & look for hermit crabs...
we spotted tons of different water foul...
even some of the wild horses on Shackleford Banks! it's one of the islands that's only accessible by boat...
our ferry ride was a trip around the many small islands near Beaufort (see pic below - click to enlarge)...we may take one of the other ferry trips next year...one where they take u out to the islands & drop u off for 1 or 2 hours - even the whole day if u'd like...u can picnic & look for shells...even get (sorta) close to the horses
one of my favorite parts of the cruise tho? checking out the massive beach houses lining the shore...if any1 is trying to decide on a birthday gift for me next month, i'll take one of these please ;0)
we drive to Fort Macon every year (only a couple miles down the road), but this was the first year we went during biz hours & got to go inside the different display rooms in the fort...it was pretty darn interesting!
here's looking down into the fort...from a distance (including our view from the ferry), all u can see is the flag sticking up out of the ground - the fort is completely hidden underground
here we are standing up top, with the ocean in the background...
of course, we always take a walk out on the pier...& this year, Jaden was not scared about falling through the slats in between the boards!
we cooked in every night except for one...we splurged this year & took the kiddos out to a seafood restaurant...Jaden even tried fried calamari! & Corinn ate so much of it, she got a tummy ache
to walk off some of our meal, we then went on a moonlit stroll on the beach...the kiddos all said "ewwwww!" when i commented on how romantic it was ~lol~
we let them go spend the money burning holes in their pockets (Nana & Grandpa always send em with some spending money)...Jaden got his usual arsenal of beach toys/gear...the girls talked Curtis & i into letting them get hermit crabs
& of course, we spent TONS of time on the beach!!! honestly, that was the place to be...Atlantic Beach had record temps while we were there - & the humidity was brutal! but the breeze off the ocean made the beach an awesome chill spot...we'd go down every morning, then again later in the day...even sprinkling some strolls here & there, in between
Corinn is such a beach bunny...she's in & out of the water, trying to do everything from playing in the waves...to collecting shells, fish & crabs...to building sand castles with Mama...to laying down in the sand & soaking in the sun...
Gabby is an explorer...she's constantly on the hunt for "treasure" & brings me every single pretty shell she finds...her fav time was catching tiny fish, hermit crabs & ghost crabs with daddy, & keeping them in little ponds she'd create...
Jaden never wavers...his only plans at the beach are to stay out in the waves...to feel em crash against his body over & over & over again!
i also taught him to float...he & i spent lots of time out in the waves together - holding hands & floating on our backs...letting the waves carry us down the beach...then we'd walk back up & do it all over again :0)
but my favorite part was how well all 3 of them played together this year...
even the girls got really comfortable with going out in the deeper water...all 5 of us would go out past the waves & hang out/play...& the girls thought that was the coolest!
every day, this dog would come down to the water...she'd run up & down the beach, trying to get the kiddos to chase her...then she'd just take off - swimming against the waves, out farther than i'll go! it would appear as if she was going to just keep on swimming, off into the horizon...but eventually she'd get tired & come back
oh yeah, another fav of mine? watching this sexy thing as he played on the beach with our kiddos...the sun shining off those muscles makes for quite the view! ;0)
we took Rocket down to the beach a few times throughout the week...when we knew we wouldn't be there for too long (thankfully, he did as well hanging out alone in the beach house as he does at home alone - he's an awesome dog!)...as long as he had shade, he was fine...but once, when we were just taking a walk on the sound side, & didn't take chairs or umbrellas...& he'd had enuff...so he started digging...
nope, not deep enuff...
ok, i give up...let me give that water stuff another try ~lol~
it was soooo funny!we took only 1 full family pic...it was with my camera timer, right before hopping in the truck to head home...
the trip home was eerily quiet...we had a few nappers & none of the "how much longer til we get there?" questions...& we made it home in 6 1/2 hrs - record time!this was by far, our favorite trip! it was actually nice staying in a private house vs a resort...we really didn't miss the pool or activities at all...although next year, we're thinking about waiting until September to go...not only to get a better deal, but also to beat the heat...let the countdown begin! ;0)
