Onslow Beach

Since Matt is heading to Brazil for two weeks this summer, our annual trip to the Outer Banks was replaced with a long weekend at Onslow Beach, near Jacksonville, NC.  We had a great time as a family, and with our friends the Emory's and the Brister's.  

Here's Madeline working on sand castles.  It's so funny to think there was a time when she was afraid to go near the water.

Here's Ry, appearing to be peacefully enjoying the water.  Don't be fooled.  The boy was a dare devil this year, going out as far as we would let him.  The days of relaxing on the beach are gone for Mommy and Daddy, as we kept eagle eyes on Ry.

The Ry guy taking a break from all the activity.

Afternoon siesta at the beach house.  Ry and Jay enjoying some Indiana Jones on the wii. While the boys enjoyed a video game, the girls (Maddie and me) took a walk to the store to buy a souvenir and share an icee.  Whenever Maddie and I go out together, she sings this cute song--"We're having girl time, we're having girl time.  Just me and Mommy, just me and Mommy". It's so precious.
Growing up in a house full of females, Mommy had no idea that the mesh inside of swim trunks, when combined with sand, can result in terrible skin chafing.  The poor boy was in some serious pain on day 3 at the beach.  Thankfully, baby Ellie had some diaper cream to spare, and in no time Ry was back out on the beach.

Madeline loves digging holes and finding all sorts of treasures.  Aside from shells, the great treasures on this trip were the shark teeth.  We found 105 (Madeline counted them all).

Enjoying some waves.  This picture is quite descriptive of Madeline's and Ryan's personalities. Madeline sticks close to Daddy, where it's safe.  Ryan goes off on his own, taking on each wave. He punched and kicked at the waves as them came crashing toward him.

At one point, when we were in the water, Ry ignored my calls to come back.  After facing some consequences for his decision to ignore me, Ry and I had a conversation.  I tried to explain to him that waves can knock him down and/or pull him under the water, and for that reason, we have to be cautious in the ocean.  To this he replied, "No Mommy.  If waves come, I just push them away, like this". He then showed me how he pushed the waves away with his arms.  Little did he know that his words and his demonstration, gave Mommy all the more reason to shadow him in the water.

Daddy and Madeline search for sand crabs and shark teeth, as the water rolled back into the ocean.

Our sweet girl, on the lookout for beach treasures.  Our last day on the beach, with the Brister's gone, Madeline made new friends.  She saw two girls near us, who were playing in the sand.  She boldly walked up to them and asked them if they wanted to play.  They eagerly accepted her invitation and they played together for a couple hours.

Ryan was so cute to watch shovel.  He would dig a large portion of sand with his shovel, and then heave that portion behind his back, causing sand to fly everywhere.