Outer Banks-Hello Earl

 
This year we enjoyed another trip to the Outer Banks with our best friends the James'.  Of course this year was unique because Earl traveled up the East Coast, causing a mandatory evacuation, but oh well. . .those things happen.  And the days that we had at the beach were awesome.  Thank goodness for travel insurance.  And it was sort of exciting, as we waited to see what would happen.

Aunt Lanie and Uncle Bobby are SO fun.  Madeline and Ryan adore them and we are so grateful for this special relationship.  I can't remember what happened in this picture, but I'm pretty sure that it involves a crustacean with pinchers.  And it looks like Aunt Lanie is about to get Ryan.

 
Oh no, Aunt Lanie's got him.  There's no escaping.
 
It might look like Ry's protesting, but this little guy is loving every second of his captivity.  I think there might be some tickling going on here!
 
 Look at that handsome man with his sweet girl.  Daddy has an amazing gift for finding sand crabs.  It might be his incredible patience.  He is SO, SO fun on the beach.  The best daddy ever.
 
 Is this not the coolest turtle?  Madeline, Uncle Bobby, and Aunt Lanie worked tirelessly, sculpting it, and then decorating it with beautiful shells (Uncle B may not have been too involved in the shell decorating).
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My and my boy.  It is so hard to get a picture with him. . .he loves to be going and moving 24/7.  He really is a love bug.  If you catch him before bed at night, he loves to just cuddle and wrap his little arms around your neck and let you know how much he loves.  How often have I heard him say to me, "I love you more than poop"?  What mom of a boy can beat that????!!!!
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Our free spirited, beach loving girl.
 
Oh my goodness, she's adorable!  Look at that precious face.
 
The neighborhood we stayed in had a beachfront clubhouse with an actual diving board.  This is the first time the kids went off a diving board and they LOVED it.  So fun!  How cute is Madeline holding her nose???
 
I'm so grateful for this vacations.  It truly bonds the family and blesses us with memories we will continually cherish.  And it's so special to share this time with the James', who are an extension of our immediate family.  Can't wait till next year!!!