Outer Banks Family Vacation 2012

Once again, we had a fabulous trip to the Outer Banks on our annual family vacation.  Unfortunately, Grandpa and Vera were unexpectedly not able to make it this year and we missed them tremendously.  We had perfect weather (despite the threat of a hurricane the week before), ate lots of yummy food, and had a really great time.   Madelyn loved the pool and swam for hours, actually played in the ocean this year, and was in heaven being with her cousin Cora all week.  Ellie was not a big fan of the sand/ocean but ended up playing in the sand as the week progressed, she also loved the pool, and keeps asking to go back to the beach house to play with Cora and Joshua.  I'm guessing she thinks the Nolan family is still at the beach:)  The house we rented this year was the best house we've had yet.  It was super clean with an awesome kitchen and huge back porch for late night cocktails.  It also had a little loft area which was empty and ended up being the kids playroom.  It was their little hideout and they would disappear up there for hours.   The house also had a great pool with both a baby pool area and deep end.  The house was situated a little further from the beach than the past rentals but the view was still spectacular.   It was an all around great week and it has been very hard getting back to reality now that we are home.  I'm already counting the days until our next vacation! 

Sorry for the huge amount of pictures but I use this blog as our family photo album.

Thanks to my friend Kirsten for giving me this idea!

First glass of wine at the beach. Heaven!

All ready to hit the beach on our first day!

Ellie started off playing in the sand while sitting in her chair  She got a little better as the week progressed!

Ellie and Daddy.  And she's actually walking on the sand!

Sweet Cousins!

Celebrating Joshua's 1st Birthday!

Love my little man Joshua!

Painting horses in Corolla.  Madelyn was so excited and couldn't wait to paint her own horse this year!

I couldn't believe how much Ellie loved painting!

Madelyn's finished product!

Ellie and Cora's finished product!

Our first crabbing adventure!

Nana and Bill hard at work trying to get our first crab!

Bill was very excited he caught one!

The girls preferred fishing with sticks they found on the ground!

Joshua was a trooper!

Daddy's little crab helper!

Pop's crab!

Our back porch was my favorite place so I just had to take a picture!

This is my favorite picture.  Madelyn was knocked down by a wave and I love Cora's face!

Loving the water this year because it was a lot calmer than years past!

Love this photo too!

Liking the sand better because she is wearing Cora's shoes!

Shell hunting with Nana and Pop.  We found lots of shells this year because the water was so calm!

Madelyn has a feather in her head and is pretending like she is Yankee Doodle in this pic!

Our beach family photo!

Can't belive this turned out great.  The flies were biting the heck out of us while we were taking the photo!

Beacon Dunes

We Miss You Grandpa and Vera!

Dinner out at the Corolla Light Restaurant.  Yummy seafood!

My sweet girls!

Ellie loves her Uncle Sam!

Late afternoon fun at the beach!

1st Family Crabbing Photo

Ice Cream by the pool

Amy and I with our kiddies!

First time playing Putt-Putt.  Madelyn and Ellie insisted on wearing their hats because Bill wears a hat when he golfs!

They were very into the game at the very beginning.  That did not last long!