OBX 2013

We had another fantastic vacation in the Outer Banks with family.  This year, the group consisted of Nana and Pop, the Nolan Family and Grandpa and Vera.  During the last couple of days, the Richter family joined in on the fun too.  We stayed in Corolla Light in the same house as last year right on the water.  We really had a great time and the pictures below show the great memories we made during the week.  One very special event that happened at the beginning of the vacation is that Grandpa and Vera got engaged.  We are so excited for them and are so happy that Vera is going to be part of our family.  She is already a very important part of our life, especially to Madelyn and Ellie and we are so thrilled that they are getting married!  The pictures below are out of order but here are some of the fun things that happened during Outer Banks 2013:

Lunch at Blue Point to celebrate Grandpa and Vera's engagement!

Sisters

Pizza for dinner is always a tradition on the first night at the beach house!

Kid's Table!

Beach time!

Sisters collecting shells

Nana and Pop bought all the kids boogie boards and Madelyn loved it until she took a spill.  However, the next day she got right back in the water like it had never happened!

Early morning shows on the iPad

Water gun fight with Daddy/Uncle Bill

Madelyn and Cora could not get away from the water.  They LOVED the beach this year!

One of my favorite pictures!

This year we decided to rent Wave Runners and it was one of the highlights of the trip for our girls!

Nana and her girls!

This is right before Bill, Madelyn and I were dumped into the Currituck sound!

Popsicles the porch!

Ping Pong tournament.  Pop was the big winner this year!

Madelyn and Jack are too precious in this photo!

Having down time with Cousin Jack!

The kids loved staying up late to hunt for crabs!

After Christmas in August, all the kids enjoyed playing on their iPad minis from Grandpa and Vera!

Our house, Beacon Dunes!

Kids loved the sand this year!

My big Kindergartner!

With the perfect weather, Grandpa and Vera spent a good amount of time on the beach this year!

It took Ellie a couple of days to get used to the ocean!

Painting horses in Corolla.  This is one of Madelyn's favorite activities at the beach!

The group under the tent! 

The vacation was pretty relaxing this year because all the kids played so well together!

Ellie and her horse!

Ellie painted with both hands!

Madelyn and her masterpiece

Ellie and her masterpiece

Fun in the hot tub.  We could not get the kids out of it this year!

Wave Runner Fun

Ellie going out for a ride!

Aunt Amy, Daddy and Madelyn taking a final spin

Nana and Pop with their clan!

Snack time!

Looking for shells with Nana!

Snack time!

Madelyn loved flying Dora the Kite!

Ellie finally made it in the water!

Shrimp Scampi night

We also celebrated Joshua and Sarah's birthday with a party!

 

Our annual group photo!

Our annual family photo

Grandpa and Vera surprised everyone with Christmas in August.  Loved all the faces when Grandpa came out dressed as Santa!

Vera got a ring from Santa!

Madelyn was pretty shocked when she opened her gift and got an iPad mini!

Miss Ellie relaxing in the sun!

Nana and Pop enjoying some beach time!

Already miss this view!

Last Days of Summer

We really enjoyed our Summer Vacation and are very sad that it has ended!   Here are some photos from our last couple weeks of summer before we left for our beach vacation:

New ballet bags for everyone!

Outside playtime with Joshy (Ellie's nickname for Josh)

Birthday Party for Meme!

Afternoons at the pool with friends!

Fun End of Year Party at the pool!

More fun and games at the pool!

Birthday Party at the pool for Joshua!

Madelyn just adores her cousin!

Happy 2nd Birthday Josh!

Riding horses at Adeline's Birthday Party!

First Day of Kindergarten

Madelyn had a great first day of Kindergarten!  I must say that I've been nervous about this day for quite a while.  Not because I don't think Madelyn is ready for school but I'm not ready to let her go.  I love having Madelyn at home during the day and have really enjoyed our preschool years.  However, the time has come to let her go and she showed us that she is more then ready to start Kindergarten.  She ran up to that bus this morning and was the first kid to board the crowded bus.  She never looked back and was so excited about her first day!  I had some tears but for the most part kept it together.  She came home off the bus with a big smile and was greeted by a big group of people, including Nana, Aunt Doris and Cora.  She told me her favorite part of the day was riding the bus home and the day went by really quick because she had such a good time. It sounds like she met some new friends and even ate a decent portion of her lunch.  Madelyn was full of energy when she got home but by dinner she was very tired and cranky so an early bedtime was in store.  We are so proud of our big Kindergartner and are excited about this new chapter in her life!

On another note, Ellie was pretty sad and quiet after Madelyn left for school. She had a pretty rough day and was lost without her sidekick.  She is really looking forward to starting her little preschool schedule next week!

All ready to head to the bus stop!

Lainey and Ana came by on their way to school to wish Madelyn good luck!

Nana and Pop came by to see their first grandchild get on the bus!

I'm actually holding it together in this photo!

These sisters have had so much fun playing together this summer!

Madelyn and Liam have been friends since they were babies and are in the same Kindergarten class!

Patiently waiting for the school bus!

Madelyn ran back to give Ellie a quick hug!

Bus Stop Group!

First one on the bus!

All smiles when she got off the bus!

She ran to give Cora a hug!

Showing Cora her backpack!

Scenes of Summer

Here are some random photos I took from the last month this Summer.  I can't believe that it is halfway through August and our Summer is coming to an end.  I am trying to soak up as much time as possible with my girls before school starts in 3 weeks and Madelyn gets on that bus to Kindergarten.  Yikes!

Our girls love their shows in the morning.  We caught them snuggling the other morning which melts my heart!

Water Country Trip #2 this summer to celebrate our neighbor's birthday!

Dive In Movie Night

Bowling with a good friend!

Special afternoon treat of Kona Ice!



We said goodbye to some good friends who are moving to NYC.  This photo was taken at their going away party in July.  We are sad to see the Zulauf family move but are excited to visit them we are in NYC when we are there in October!