Outer Banks -- Part 1

After waiting an entire year for our beach vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, it finally arrived during the first week of July. This time we had an even more amazing time, soaking up the sun, enjoying the beach, and loving the house and community where we stayed (Duck, NC).

The house we rented was amazing and had plenty of space for all of us (17 people including 8 children.)

My sister Tami was able to come this year which made it even more special for all of us!

 

Here is Tami with all but one of the nieces/nephews (Chloe is now 15 and really likes to sleep in!!) In birth order we have Paige (10), Abby (7), Tyler (7), Coldon (5), Landon (5), Reygan (2), and Nolan (2). The two youngest shared a room with their parents while Chloe shared a room with Tami. Then there was a "boys room" and "girls room" on the first floor where the kids could make as much noise as they wanted and we could live in peace on the 3rd floor! This house had plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone so I think we will be renting it again next year. Our family size will increase slightly next year too as Tasha is expecting another little girl in November!

Much of our time in the Outer Banks was spent relaxing...

 

Or playing games...

 

And of course every night included some homemade entertainment!!

 

But of course most of our time was spent out here...

 

 

 

 

 

 Aren't my parents adorable? Both of them have endured cancer treatments over the last few years but are currently doing amazingly well!

 

Jason insisted on getting this inflatable raft before we left. I wasn't quite sure it was the necessity he thought it was, but the kids did have a great time riding the waves in it.

 

 

What a stud!!!

 

After spending the last two summers vacationing at the beach, I am a true believer that it is one of the best places to have a family vacation. There is something magical about being so close to the immensity of the ocean and its calming effects are amazing.

But anyplace where I can be with all of these people will always be a great vacation!!

This year we stayed in a little town called Duck and we all loved it. Our house was situated halfway between the beach and the center of town so we would spend half the day at the ocean and the other half shopping and exploring the little town.

 Some of us even attended a community outdoor concert one night. The weather was perfect the entire week (not too hot) so we were able to spend a lot of time outdoors.

We always have a lot of yummy food too since we all take turns preparing a meal each night.

 

More to come soon (these pictures are making me want to go back already!!)