Family Beach Trip 2015: Duck, NC

We had a blast this September on our first-ever combined family beach trip to Duck, NC. Hoping to make it an annual tradition.

We were so excited to make these pictures dressed in white on the ocean. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate (although I don't regret using the good weather days at the beginning of the trip to enjoy the beach!) There's always next year! The photo failure was almost ironic after I went to such lengths to make sure the kids matched because I forgot the suitcases with Archie's and Grace's clothes! (Packing fail.) Thankfully, friends and family helped out.

Archie was not shortchanged on birthday celebrations this year. Yet another eighth birthday party at the beach!

Good friends:

We love grandparents! 

And siblings!

And having fun!

 

Our excursion to Jockey's Ridge let us see nature at its finest and give thanks to our Creator.

Myrtle Beach 2015: Grant's First Beach Trip

Grant LOVES the beach! When we first went out this morning, there was a long two-inch puddle by a sand bar. He loved it! Later, when the tide came in and the water was deeper, he still loved it! I think I'll have an early swimmer!

Grace loves it, too - especially digging holes. She also loves the mini lazy river at our hotel.

If you're wondering why Archie isn't in our family picture, he's at his first sleep-away camp in North Carolina. He started having fun as soon as we arrived, and we anticipate that continuing all week. Here he is at the putt-putt course. He has a buddy from Maryland with him.

Lancaster Fun

 From horse drawn buggy rides through Amish country to hanging out at the hotel's indoor pool, our short trip to Lancaster a few weeks ago was a lot of fun! I'll have to take more pictures next time!

DC Fun Day!

We had a blast in DC a few weeks ago seeing old friends, visiting the Air and Space Museum, and seeing some of the historic sites. The kids definitely appreciated it a lot more this time than when they were smaller.

Tennessee Trip 2013

 Highlights of our Tennessee Trip 2013 included The Smoky's and the Knoxville Zoo.

Ready to hike:

 The kids loved this rustic cabin in the woods. When they went inside, they decided they wouldn't want to live there, though :)

Climbing around the falls was also lots of fun. We had to pull ourselves up on a rope. Even Grace made it, which speaks to her determination!

This big guy stole my heart at the Knoxville zoo. I could have watched him for hours. They brought out his lunch pail, and he rifled through it searching for his favorites to eat first. The lettuce was quickly tossed out. He dove on the carrots, then peeled a leek and ate it. He ate some kind of tomato paste from a bottle but got impatient and chewed through the plastic. Finally, he ate the lettuce and cabbage but only the inside leaves. His cage was strewn with the disco

The long trip!

A Visit to the Land of CHOCOLATE!

Fun and chocolate? Chocolate and fun?

That's what we had at Hershey Park last month. They had tons of kid friendly rides. Archie was disappointed that neither of his parents would take him on an adult roller coaster (even though he was tall enough to ride one of the smaller ones).

It wasn't a particularly hot day, but a quick trip down the log ride was still fun!

Tower of Terror miniature style? Archie loved it!

Nothing like shaking hands with a Hershey Kiss (unless it's eating one). Grace was hilarious when she ran over to this guy and kissed him.

My favorite part was the Hershey Museum. They had an "It's a Small World" style ride that taught all about the production of chocolate. Archie, my non-fiction guy, and Grace both loved it, too.

Afterward, they gave a free sample then funneled you into the store to buy more. Looking down and seeing the hoards of people crowding to buy the same things you can get for cheaper at Walmart reminded me of China.