Back from the Beach

One of the coolest things to do in my book is go on vacation.

I wish my budget allowed me to LIVE on vacation.

It doesn’t.

But thankfully God blesses me with some now and then and this year turned into a two-vacation year.

THANK YOU, FATHER!

On 9/3 we got out of bed at 12AM and hit the road for Nags Head, NC. Hurricane Irene had gone through the week before and left the area we were renting in with little damage. [Areas both north and south were hit much harder, however.]

We checked into our vacation house with our “FAMILY for the WEEK!”

27 People. Yup – 27!
11 Adults, 13 kids, 3 babies.

My family (7) , my mom (1), my friend S’s family (8), her mom and dad (2), my friend R’s family (4), and S’s brother’s family (5).

We ate all our meals family style and took turns cooking.
We ate like ROYALTY.
We had dessert every night.
[Do you wish you were there yet?]
I wish you were! ♥

And our house was right on the beach.

Now – it wasn’t the fanciest house out there, but the price was right, the bedroom set up was right, the pool was alright, and the movie theater made my kids’ year! [Yes, there was a movie theater in the basement.]

There were a few too many mosquitos, and the Atlantic Ocean was closed three days to swimming. It remained open for frolicking.

It was wonderful. I hope you enjoy a few pictures.

Highlights…

On the way down we got to stop at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. It is one of the most fascinating places I have ever been.
On Sunday we worshiped at a local church, Nags Head Community. The congregation was encouraged to return at 4PM that day to go assist with Hurricane Irene clean up on the Sound Side which was heavily damaged. JB and the boys went, as well as some of our friends.
My friend R’s husband brought his guitar and music folders and lead worship many of the nights. My kids are born singers. [I am not, but I made a bigger effort than most people would appreciate!]
The kids lovingly remember their pillow fight with S’s brother, “Uncle Budd.”
I got to see 4/6 sunrises and shared two of them with my sons.
Watching Tangled on the movie screen with my big girls.
Watching Scooter go from not wanting the sand to touch her on Sunday to “owning the beach” by Thursday.
Driving to Currituck Sound to see a puppet show and witnessing crazy flooding along the way.
Seeing a HUGE rainbow on the ride home to NY.