OBX 2011

Here are a bunch of pictures from our time down in Outer Banks, NC this past week.  We had a great time away with our friends and their kids despite the weather being a littler cooler and a LOT more windy than we expected.  We even lost power our last night because of the high winds!

Our travel was also quite interesting this year and much longer than other years that we have gone down to NC.  On our drive south, we left as a sheet of snow was piling up on our car - a little strange as we loaded up our beach gear.  Then both cars (us and our friends) were pulled over and given speeding tickets in almost the exact same spot in VA, which in talking to other people I hear is very common for that area - but obviously still a little frustrating.  

Not to be deterred, we forged ahead only to arrive at the Bay Bridge and be told by the toll employee that due to high winds, we were not allowed to cross with our car carrier.  Instead, he told us that "we would need to pull over to the toll parking lot and wait for a white van to carry our things across".  Sketchy right?  But having no other choice, we sat and waited and eventually a big white van did pull up next to us.  Mitch then had a good time unpacking the carrier to get if off our van, loading everything it into the white van, driving across the bridge to the other side where we again waited in a parking lot for the white van to bring us the carrier, load it back onto our car, repack all the stuff and then continue our trek south.  

Normally it takes us about 7 hours door to door, but I think it was close to 9 1/2 hours until we finally found our house and could let everyone escape from the car.  Despite the traveling craze, the boys all did really well - although I did have to continually feed snacks to Micah the last 1/2 hour or he was NOT happy.   

Our drive back was also much much longer as well because we took a different route home due to the fact that the weather report for that day was WINDY and, surprise surprise,  we did not want to have to have to go through that whole car carrier ordeal again.  So we ended up taking 95 home, which although much longer was great because we took a little detour in Baltimore to visit my brother Dave for a couple hours!  Unfortunately, Sam and Anne were off doing wedding things so we didn't get to see them, but it was really nice to catch up with Dave for a little bit and again get our kids out of the van. 

All that being said, we had a very nice week, great time with great friends, and a wonderful chance to get away from the "glory of the grind":)   Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Ready to leave!

Noah, Aaron and Caleb checking out the ocean.

Check out Micah's hair from the wind!!

Just chillin in the hot tub:)

One afternoon we spent at Jockey's Ridge (big sand dunes that help protect the island).

Someone gave us kites they had found on the dunes so the guys were flying those for awhile.  They got to be fairly dangerous though because the crazy wind made them very difficult to control.

Here's Micah getting all blown around again!

Family picture at the dunes.

Daddy and his 2 oldest boys.

One day we went out with just our family to go bowling.

Here they are waiting for their turn to bowl.

After bowling, we found a local ice cream place to get a little treat.

Even Micah got a few bites!!  That's how it goes with more kids I guess...Caleb NEVER would have been allowed to do this when he was that little!

One morning everyone minus me and Micah went crabbing hoping to catch us some lunch!

Unfortunately they did not catch anything, but they had fun trying.

Then one night we took some family pictures at the Corolla Lighthouse which is pictured above. 

Here are all the boys - Caleb, Micah, Noah, Caden and Aaron.

My 3 sons.

Me and my boys;)

Since having kids, I often forget to take pictures of just Mitch and I but here I actually remembered!

I love this picture despite the glaring sun on Noah's face!!

Just looking around (and probably trying to escape another picture!).

Noah and daddy!

Here they come...

Our littlest cutie:)

Can you tell that they are totally DONE with having their picture taken!?

Mitch's dad recently taught Micah to do "how big is Micah - so big" and he loves showing off his new trick.

Here are the boys all playing Wii - a favorite of the week especially for my boys since we don't have a game system at home.

Micah is all over now and knows exactly who to go to for handouts;)

Finding things to do inside on a rainy day.

Micah had fun getting into all kinds of interesting things.

Walking down with Uncle Dave to check out Under Armour where he and my other brother Sam both work.

The big UA sign with Inner Harbor in the background - awesome location to go to work everyday.

Love this sign - I think I may print a sign like this and hang it in our kitchen!

This was a cool wall full of plants at the other end of the cafeteria.

Walking home and getting ready to get back in the car for our last 3 hours!!