Beach!

We missed going to the beach with the Caldwells last summer because of our NYC trip and their trip to Alaska. The salty air was just what we needed! We ended up back in the Outer Banks, this time at Kill Devil Hills. There's really not a bad beach in NC though! It was pretty windy the day we arrived. The kids still wanted to head to the beach after pizza dinner, though. It was a red flag, which means no swimming. It ended up being a red flag (or double red!) all week. I guess "swimming" is a bit subjective. They were definitely in to their waist. Further down the beach I just saw heads of people with a lifeguard nearby. Seemed like swimming to me...

The house had a pool, which the kids enjoyed. It wasn't heated but they seem to have a different tolerance for water temperature than the adults!

The kids did jumps into the pool and the adults judged and gave them scores. 

We headed to Jockey's Ridge on one of the cooler days. We thought that would make the sand cooler to walk on but that wasn't necessarily the case. 

Owen fully embraced the sand...and his hair still showed evidence two days later!

Trying to cram into the shade as our feet were burning!!

Owen dug this hole and waited and waited for it to be filled by the waves. He was so happy!

Sometimes we get a warm week and sometimes it's cooler, like this year:

The kids (and adults!) enjoyed the hot tub! Chad made the kids hop out and jump into the pool. It's good for their heart, right???

There were plenty of games played!

We went out to a restaurant and Owen and Hunter had a separate table next to the rest of us. This was Owen's seat!

Sooooo many puzzles! I had to capture this moment because it was rare for Owen or Chad to join in!

Owen and Hunter's usual ritual in the early mornings:

On one of their early mornings they finished this puzzle! They wanted to be timed because it was smaller than many of the rest that we did. They finished in 25 minutes!

We enjoyed our traditional water balloon fight!

We tried out all the ice cream places! We decided Holy Cow, two blocks from our house, was the best!

A rare sibling moment:

Her fingers make hearts:

The Caldwells went to this ropes course a few years back. None of us had close-toed shoes so we weren't able to go. We intentionally brought them this year, though, and really enjoyed the course! It had 4 levels, each getting progressively challenging as you went up. Hunter, Chad, Willow, and Chris did a section of level 4, which confirmed to the rest of us that we'd made the right choice. I was super proud of them though!!

Willow is always up for seeing the sun rise! We got up early the day we were leaving to check it out. It never disappoints!

A few pictures (out of order) from Kim and Chris:

We played Sardines (someone hides then you stay with that person whenever you find them) and were seriously stumped by Hunter's last hiding place! We were close to telling him to just come out!! He wins!

We will be headed to Hawaii next summer as our "beach trip!"

Time with Friends and Family

Willow was invited to a graduation party for one of her friends from Burton:

Nana and Grandpa took the kids to Massanutten and Sight and Sound to see Noah. They always have a great time and I'm happy to catch glimpses when Willow sends me pictures. 

While the kids were gone, I hung out with a friend who paddleboards regularly. We enjoyed a 2-mile paddle and I learned about my new favorite cheesesteak sub restaurant!

Willow met a couple friends to roller skate. She'd been with friends after the mission trip, so she met these girls just after that while her "skills" were still fresh. She hadn't ever been interested when friends would have parties there in elementary school. She did great getting off the wall!

While Willow was in the DR, we joined Hannah and Hunter at an ice skating rink. Owen had been on a PE field trip and fell in love with ice skating with a walker. They had a great time, then we went to a Kitty Cafe!

Owen met a friend to go ziplining and then out to lunch. 

While the kids are gone, Chris is all ears for whatever I want to do or talk about. HA!

We went peach picking at a festival about an hour away. It was literally in the middle of nowhere (GPS couldn't help us get back for a while. Gasp!). The peaches were AMAZING though! We'll be back...if we can find it! ;)

Willow hung out with a couple friends at Starbucks...like grown ladies! I'm not sure how I feel about her drinking coffee at 15!

The activity that brings Willow and Owen together the most: playing in the rain. And I'm so thankful for it!

The Youth Group kicked off their back to school time with a Slip and Slide. I loved catching Willow in a few of the pictures!

We went to a local minor league baseball team's game and had great seats!

Free ice cream for everyone in our section!! Winner winner!!

Willow said, "I would be okay dating a baseball player." Haha

Willow loves hanging out at Sheetz after Youth Group on Sunday nights!

Sleepover with a couple friends:

Checking on their baking project:

Owen's friend Rhys got baptized by his dad and invited us to join! Such a sweet moment to be part of!

The memory care facility where Gramps lives has lots of family events that we enjoy attending! 

Willow joined a couple friends from a rival team for a football game in THEIR student section. Gasp!!

Willow's performing arts group at practice!

Another great family event with Gramps!

Willow made homemade chicken fried rice for her Spanish class. It made soooooo much. She sent me this picture of her friends all eating it the next day in History class. 

Owen went on a trip to DC for a karate seminar. He had a great time hanging out with his karate buddy, Chris.