Nags Head, NC

Yes, I know we went there over a year ago, but I found these pictures on John's iPhone.  This pictures are from the beach looking back at the beach house.

Isn't it beautiful?

One Last Hurrah!

Just before school started, I took AJ to the beach with some good friends.  We had a great time enjoying the sun and cooler weather at the beach.  (It was well into the 100s at home and in the low 80s at the beach.)

Opening David's Mission Call

My son, David, will be serving a 2 year, volunteer, Vietnamese speaking mission teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Cambodia.  We recorded him opening his letter so those who were not able to join us in person could experience this special time with us.  That video is at the bottom of this post.

His letter arrived Thursday, May 3, which was also his Eagle Scout Court of Honor.  We waiting until Friday morning, so we could open it with family and friends (the family joined us via skype and telephone).

It's Not A Vacation Without Mini Golf!

While in the Outer Banks, we went miniature golfing with some of our extended family. The mini golf places in OBX have some extreme themes. One had a dinosaur theme, but we went to this one that had an "Indiana Jones" type theme. Well maybe not that extreme, but it it was fun.

An Evening On The Beach

One night on our vacation, most of the kids went out on the beach to play, hunt for crabs, and wear glow in the dark necklaces and bracelets. (AJ made his into a belt.)

Fishing in OBX

Fishing is a popular sport (if you can really call it a sport, because the fish don't know they're playing) in the Outer Banks. People hop in boats and try their hand at it. They hope to come home with some big fish.

We took the kids to see the fish. And we waited...

And waited...

And waited...

Until the boats arrived.

Some had some large and unique fish.

Bodie Lighthouse

While in the Outer Banks, NC, we visited the Bodie (pronounced "body") Lighthouse. It was a beautiful place, and the kids really enjoyed corralling their cousins.

Kitty Hawk Kites

Right after the show at the Fudgery, we visited Kitty Hawk Kites (in the same shopping center across from Jockey's Ridge). While the kites are amazing, the kids were drawn to the area with a variety of interesting "juggling" toys. There was a very nice man who demonstrated all these items and taught the kids to use them. It was great!

The Fudgery

Twenty-eight years ago, when I was a teenager, my father took our large family to the Fudgery while on vacation in the Outer Banks, NC, and we fell in love! Not only was the fudge delicious, but the show made what would have been a simple trip to a candy shop an unforgettable experience. Each time we visited the Outer Banks, we made sure to visit the Fudgery at least once.

For our "Outer Banks Beach Bash Extravaganza" this summer, I was looking forward to visiting the Fudgery and sharing the fun experience with my children.

My sister arranged with the Jockey's Ridge location to have a show in the evening on Tuesday, August 16, 2011. We arrived with our children in tow ready for an experience.

Outer Banks Beach Bash Extravaganza 2011, Part 2

Here are a few photos from our beach trip to North Carolina. Several of my sisters said "no bathing suit pictures," so I only posted pictures that are flattering. :)

Outer Banks Beach Bash Extravaganza 2011

John, the kids, and I went to my family reunion last week. My entire family rented a huge beach house (right on the beach) in Nags Head, NC. More photos to come, but here's one from our last day.

Summer Beach Trip #2

We took Beach Trip #2 with our friends, the Hicks family. David and AJ enjoyed the zip line. AJ and Michael played on the beach with the Hicks' children. I was able to talk to my dear friend, Kristina. It was a wonderful day!