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!!! 

Virginia Beach

 

Did you know that Matt's home office is in Virginia Beach?  It is, and he had to go there for a week in August, and WE got to join him.  Not only did we get to join him, but he was able to find a hotel that did government rates that was beachfront.  Thank you Hampton Inn.  We had a wonderful time.  I always feel like week-long hotel vacations are particularly bonding since you are share a small room.  Each morning, we rolled out of bed and took the elevator down to a wonderful breakfast.  After we kissed Matt goodbye, the kids and I would hit the boardwalk with their scooters.  There was a playground at the end of the boardwalk that they loved.  Here is our sweet girl, posing for Daddy. 

 

I love pictures of them from the back.  As usual, Ryan is in the lead--he thinks anything involving more than 1 person and a piece of sporting equipment, is a race.  I love my boy's drive (when it's not getting him in trouble! :0) ).

 

Ry, posing for the camera.

 

Our sweet boy LOVES posing for pictures and coming up with different poses.

 

I bet you had no idea that you could use Bugles to transform yourself into a walrus?  Check out our cute walrus.  Madeline has such a rich personality and character.  She loves to be silly and laugh, and she also loves to be serious, and is genuinely caring and thoughtful toward others.  She is always telling us awesome things she has learned about the Lord, and she is beginning to be a young woman who "prays continually".  Often she'll tell me, "yeah, mommy, I've been praying that in my head".  Recently, she told me that she wants to be baptized.  When I asked her what that meant, she explained the gospel to me--that Jesus lived on this earth, and died on a cross to take away our sins and rose again 3 days later, so that we can believe in Him and go to heaven.  Yesterday, we were in the cul de sac.  I was talking to Debra and Madeline, Ry and a Kailyn were riding bikes.  Kailyn is still on training wheels, and always had a place where she got stuck and needed help.  Without Kailyn asking, Madeline saw her need, got off her bike and helped Kailyn up the bump.  Madeline did this time after time, on her own accord.  One thing I love about homeschooling is that we get to preserve her innocence.  She still laughs without reserve and is incredibly silly, not concerned that other people will think she's odd.  My precious, precious daughter.

 

The week we were in Va Beach, there was a surfing contest.  One of the attractions were motorcycle tricks.  Daddy and Ryan LOVED it and watched the entire thing.  After a few tricks, Madeline and I moved on to the playground.

 

Va Beach has an awesome playground that is right on the beach and is covered with a huge awning.  It is also handicap friendly.  It was so fun. . .how often to you get to go to an oceanfront playground????

 Here's Ry on top of the monkey bars--Daddy is so much more fun at the playground!  He, literally, takes M&R's experiences to new heights!

 

Also, as part of the surf boarding competition, was a skateboarding show.  Ry and Daddy ate this up, and thought it was awesome.  Madeline and I went out for ice cream and window shopped--we have so much fun being girls.  Our time at the beach was wonderful.  Thank you, Daddy, for taking us on one of your trips!

My Sea Adventurer

 

Every summer GSK puts on a program called Science in the Summer for children.  This year Madeline got to participate.  She learned all sorts of interesting things about the ocean, and its plants and animals.  On the last day, the parents were invited to attend and we got to watch a short presentation.  My sweet, courageous girl got up in front of everyone and boldly shared her part of the presentation.  I was so proud of her.  I am constantly in awe of her strengths and abilities.

A Night To Remember

I'm in the process of uploading pictures for the blog, but I had to record this story, so that it will be remembered in our family history.  Tonight we took our usual walk with Bobo.  Madeline rode her scooter, and Ry his bike.  As we neared the end, M&R we having fun racing each other until Madeline's scooter wheel caught between a sidewalk partition.  She went down hard and nearly face planted.  Thankfully, no wrists were broken--just 2 very scraped knees.  We have REALLY been working with Ry on compassion and thoughtfulness.  As I crouched down with Madeline on the sidewalk, Ry came racing back to Madeline.  The first thing he said was, "I needed to see if my sister is okay", and asking her if she was okay.  Though my heart was so sad for Madeline, it soared with pride for Ryan.  As we walked back to the house, Ry continued to be focused on Madeline.  He kindly offered to let her ride his bike so that she could get there faster--this might sound small, but it was HUGE for him.  He thinks everything is a race and wants to be the very first person to get anywhere, even home from a walk.  Once we made it home, I began to tend to Madeline's wounds.  She, of course, my tender-hearted girl, was crying hard as I cleaned her knees and began the first aide process.  I asked Ry to bring her a stuffed animal.  He immediately ran into the other room and brought Madeline her favorite stuffed animal.  I then asked Ry if he would hold Madeline's hand while I finished up, as she was still very, very upset.  He came to her side and held both of her hands.  He kept saying, "It's okay Madeline, it's going to be alright", "Mommy, it hurts Madeline".  Thank you Jesus, for the work you are doing in our family, especially right now, in our little Ry, who is also turning into our little prayer warrior. 

Lance's Birthday Cake

 

When in Virginia, we have a favorite pizza place.  Matt has been going to it since he was a child, and though it has changed location, names, and ownership, it is still a treasure.  Madeline associates her trips to Grandma's with pizza at Sylvanna's, even though it's now Mediterranean Breeze.  Here's everyone posing for a picture in front of Herndon's favorite pizza place.

 

Daddy and RyRy are SO silly!!!  But look at those beautiful ladies in the middle.

 

My beautiful baby.  I love when she puts her small arm around me.  She is such a sweet, tender hearted girl.  Thank you, Jesus for her.

 

And our fun boy, who is always making us laugh and have fun.  How can you not love this facial expression?!

 

Grandma with her youngest grand baby. . .hopefully not for long!

4th of July

Another wonderful 4th in the cul de sac.  This year we even had a pool in the Becker's yard and slip-n-slides in Ms. Shanda's.  Though it was hot, the kids had a great time running around the cul-de-sac, playing with each other, stopping briefly for hamburgers and hot dogs.   The night ended with fire works and sparklers.  Though everyone was exhausted, it was a wonderful time with family and neighbors.

 

Ry playing with the big boys.

Daddy and Mr. Joe just chillin. . .watching the kids and chatting.

 

Madeline and Ali posing for a quick shot in front of the pool. 

 

The girls. . .Riley, Madeline, and Kylan.

 

Madeline poses for a quick shot.  Check out the shirt she made with fabric paint and pipe cleaners.  The girl has an unending love for any craft.

 

Ryan playing soccer in flip-flops.  You go boy!

 

More soccer action with the boys

 

Hanging by the pool

 

The cul-de-sac.

 

Check out the awesome tower Ryan built the day after the 4th. . .I think he may be an architectural genius!