Labor Day Weekend Fun

Oh yes, I am really far behind in my posting.  Flashback to a beautiful labor day weekend...it was hot, sunny, and a perfect time to be outdoors especially since school would be starting in just a few short days.  One lovely family outing was to Tamarack Nature Center.  The kids enjoyed splashing in the water, hunting for vegetables in the garden, climbing the rock walls, and building forts with sticks. 

 Playing Eye Spy at the Recycled Frog Sculpture

Cameron, on Top of the World 

 Kyle, Loved to Build with Sticks

Lauren, Time to Cool Down

Back to Virginia Then Home

The fun times with family in the Outer Banks had to come to an end sometime so back to Virginia we went.  We had one more day of vacation left before heading back to Minnesota.  We met up with our friends Melody and Brant at Virginia Beach to watch their son, Evan, ride a wave through Surfer's Healing.  It was such an amazing experience to be witness to.  Surfer's Healing helps children with autism by getting them out into the ocean waves on a surf board.  Evan did such a wonderful job!!! 

We were all wiped from vacation so after the beach we retreated to the hotel and watched some television, rested, and ate.  We had an early morning flight the next day so an early bedtime was in order.  We had such a wonderful vacation - memories to last a lifetime. 

Daddy and His Three Joys 

Mr. Cool 

Sweetness 

 Love

 Sand Castles in the Sun

Cameron was Super Excited to Cheer on Evan 

 Way to Go Evan

 Cuddles at the Hotel

At the Airport at 5 AM and Smiling

Beach Fun

The highlight of our Outer Banks family vacation, of course, has to be the beach.  The kids and grown ups alike loved the ocean waves, salty air, and sand between our toes.  We tried to make it out to the beach mid morning each day for some fun in the sun before the real heat of the day set in.  We enjoyed building sand castles, digging for crabs, jumping the waves, hunting for sea shells, and walks along the beach. 

The Five Year Olds (Maddox and Kyle) Wave Jumping with  Grandpa and Daddy

 Lauren Loved the Beach

The Girls Cooking up Some Yummy Sand Food

Fun in the Sun 

Kyle Loved to be in the Water

My Sweet Cameron Ready to Find Some More Shells

Loving the Surf

Lauren was Digging in the Sand with Grandma

 The Cousins

 Kyle Loves to Build Sand Castles

 The Little Girls Ride to the Beach

 A Night Time Walk Along the Beach with Mommy

Big Kids Night Out

The "big kids" enjoyed a nice night out on the town in the Outer Banks.  Grandma Maggie, Grandpa Bill, Great Uncle Bill, and Great Aunt Ellen were kind enough to watch the munchkins - THANK YOU!  We enjoyed a wonderful seafood dinner followed by drinks and some great adult conservation while sitting on a pier watching the sunset.  What a beautiful night!

 Mike and Robin

Alice and John 

John, Alice, Robin, and Mike

A Little Wind Blown But Having a Wonderful Time

Brewery Night

Just a few more post about our summer vacation.  I am sure dragging this out long.  Sorry about that but there is a lot to cover.

One beautiful evening the whole gang headed over to a great brewery in the Outer Banks.  I had forgotten to mention our vacationing family grew by two for part of the week.  Mike's Uncle Bill and Aunt Ellen joined us, driving all the way down from Massachusetts.  It was wonderful to see them.  I would say this is a must visit for families when vacationing at the Outer Banks.  Besides the wonderful food and beer there is a fabulous enclosed backyard for the kids.  There is plenty of open grassy space for the kids to run off some steam, a small pirate ship play area, riding toys, lawn games for kids and adults, an ice cream truck for some dessert, and a musician playing.  While the kids are safely playing the adults can talk and enjoy a cold beer or even eat outside.  I wish more places where like this. 

 Zoe and Lauren playing in the sandbox

 Pirate Kyle

 Cameron Getting Aboard the Pirate Ship

 Lawn Games with Great Uncle Bill

 Kyle taking Lauren for a Car Ride

Lauren and Zoe Going for a Wagon Ride and Checking out the Airplanes - Driver Grandma Maggie 

The Gang

Kyle, Robin, Cameron, Mike, Lauren, Grandpa Bill, Maddox, Alice, John, Grandma Maggie, Zoe, Great Aunt Ellen and Great Uncle Bill