For 2 years in a row our family met up with another family in the Outer Banks in North Carolina and we all had some of the BEST times of our lives. We’d rent a huge house (which I believe was part of Carolina Designs) each spring (that fit all 11 of us – and comfortably too I might add) and we’d meet up for a week. Our friends would drive down from New Jersey and we’d drive up from Florida.

Above is a picture I took of an area that was maybe 100 feet away from the house we rented. This is the Sound part of OBX and it’s gorgeous as you can see. We did so many different things there – took a tour of the tip where the wild horses are, ventured around the Currituck Lighthouse, swam in the ocean (and in the lovely heated pool or jacuzzi back at the house), played miniature golf, toured the Wright Brothers Museum (which the kids and my hubby LOVED), got pedicures (the moms did) – but best of all was just hanging out with our good friends in one of the most relaxing, beautiful places in this country!

where we first started our trip. We had a great time again last night partying it up. Sitting in the hot tub, laughing alot, and playing pool. We had so many laughs this week and the kids had such a fun time. Goodbyes pretty much sucked this morning. But, I have to say, because we see them so many times throughout the year..the goodbyes are getting easier. It’s just a given that our friendships are ones that will last! We’ve almost reached that 5 year mark since we moved and there has been no lack in communication! There’s no other family out there like them! We love you guys and miss you already but are also already looking forward to when we see you again this July!!!!!!

We left there this morning around 8am and for the first 20 minutes or so all you could hear from the kids were sniffles. Then they were OK. Until lunchtime when Tristan got all teary eyed talking about Taylor. We got here to my parents house in Jacksonville about 7:45pm. And I was so ready to be out of the car. Traffic was fine and so were the kids….but being it’s the last day of vacation I’m ready to be home.

Early bedtime tonight for everyone!

We knew this day would arrive at some point. It sucks. BUT, at least we had this week to hang with our friends and enjoy the beautiful Outer Banks. It was a great week. We had great weather and actually saw the area alot more then we did last year. I think it has to do with the weather being 100% better this time around. We’ve seen some great sites as well as some beautiful sunsets on the Sound.

Today we split up and we did some last minute shopping. Then went over by the Currituck Lighthouse and walked around by the Sound. After that we grabbed a quick lunch back at the house (to eat up some of the food) and then met our friends at the beach. And it was COLD there! Poor Kim was wrapped up in about 3 towels to keep warm. Meanwhile our kids were running around in their bathing suits going in and out of the 56 degree water. CRAZY!!!!!! After about an hour of the cold we decided to head back to the house and let the kids swim in the nice heated pool!

Tonight we plan on partying it up one last time!

WHAT a day we had today. Unbelievably awesome. We decided to do a wild horse tour out on the sand dunes of the tip of the Outer Banks and I am so happy we did. The wild horses were gorgeous! (Not to mention the huge mansions out there were gorgeous too.) The entire tour took about 2 hours and the 10 of us were all able to fit into one car. The kids loved it – although I think they liked riding in the back of the car the best.

I’m not so sure about living out on the dunes like some do. It’s so desolate out there, plus you can only get in and out when the tide is low. So if you’re in trouble and have a medical emergency and it’s high tide – forget about it.

Here are some pics I took of the horses:

After the tour we had a quick lunch at a local pizza place. Then we split up again and we went back home so the kids could work on their homework. The amount of work my daughter has to do is insane. And she’s only in 3rd grade. Tristan didn’t have to do half this much this week.

Last night was yet another fun night. Justin babysat the kids while the 4 of us went out for dinner and drinks at a local pub/restaurant called Snap Dogs (did I get the name right Kim?) After that we came home and played some pool.

Today was a nice, laid back day. We had a bad thunder storm come in so after it was over Sean and Kevin took the kids to the community center across the street to swim in the inside pool while Kim and I went and got pedicures. And it felt awesome. She did such a great foot massage! I could have fallen asleep right then and there. I love the color on mine too. A light lavender.

Oh and I think the keg is already kicked!!!!

Cannot wait for tonight. We have a Luau themed party planned for Kevin’s 40th (shhhh – it’s a secret!). Sean and I went out today and bought a few more things for tonight such as a beer pong kit. Tonight is going to be FUN!!!!!

Last night was a blast! Tristan played some tennis across the street from our house with Justin. The kids played ouside on bikes and scooters. Then also played inside on the ping pong table or a game of pool. This house has it all. Great location (where the kids can actually play outside. Last years house didn’t have that. Plus it’s a nice, quiet street with not many cars going down it.) We all stayed up until I can’t even remember when. Maybe 2am???? We are loving the hot tub!!!!! All I know is we’re having a blast.

Today we didn’t do too much. Nice and relaxing day after spending all day yesterday in the car. Kim, the kids and I took a short walk on the Sound. The rest of the day the kids swam in the pool or played in the game rooms. While the adults just hung around. Not sure how much partying we’ll be doing tonight since tomorrow night we’re celebrating Kevin’s 40th birthday.

The guys did go and get a keg today from the Brew Thru. Awesome idea. It saves us money and also saves the recycle bin from being over loaded (we only have one bin).

We are here and ready to hang and party with our best buds!!!! We left my parents house in Jax around 5am and got here to the house in Corolla, Outer Banks, NC around 5pm. Would love to sit and chat but would MUCH rather go and hang with our friends!

Here’s a few pix I took with my cell phone during the ride up.

Sunrise over Georgia.

Brrrrrrr!!!! That’s what it read in South Carolina around 10am.

South of the Border – HUGE tourist trap! Advize not to stop there!!!! (And we did not – been there done that many years ago.)

Made it to the outskirts of OBX around 4????

This is the view from our back porch.

Back of our house. (I love how it has that southern look with the back porches!)

Front of our house.

to Jacksonville today for the first leg of our trip to the Outer Banks. I’m SO psyched to be spending the week with our best friends – they are like family to us. We’re going to have a blast! I just can’t wait to get there! We’ll probably get up tomorrow morning at 5am so we can be there partying it up with them by 5pm!

turns into one of much happiness!!!!

It all started with Caelie being home sick. It’s been such a great school year when it comes to kids being sick – they haven’t been! I think they’ve finally adjusted to the Florida weather (after 4 years of living here) and thankfully haven’t been as sick this school year as they have the past 3! But Caelie has a yucky head cold and fever so I kept her home today.

Next, I’m going through my emails and I see some from soccer that I’m just so done with! I’m tired of people who volunteer, but then throw it back in everyone else’s faces. That is so NOT the meaning of “volunteer” in my book. I want to yell at these people to just shut the F@!# UP!!!!! Add in the fact that ALOT of people are not only done with soccer right now (even though it’s not over yet) and ALOT are discouraged with the way the soccer club has been run the past year (and I don’t blame them at all)  and there’s going to be alot more complaining about the same people volunteering – BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!!!

Then Sean calls saying he just got a phone call that he’s been put on call for storm duty! HUH??? There’s no hurricanes this time of year! BUT there ARE major ice storms and apparently Arkansas just got hit pretty badly! SO, he could be gone for three weeks the end of this month meaning he’ll not only miss his birthday yet again, but also Kieran’s. AND Caelie’s soccer team (the team he coaches) is in a soccer tournament one of those weeks that he could be gone – which is the same time I’m away with Tristan for the Region C soccer cup. I’m going to have to be magical yet again and be in two completely different places at once. Hmmmm, let’s see if I can remember how I did it last time! And while I feel very lucky, in todays financial world/status that my husband still has his job; him being away still plays alot on my emotions and my abilities as being a single parent for the time he is away. I know I can do it (and will) – it’s just always such a shock to me at first when he gets these phone calls.

As a good friend put it, (who was also frustrated with people this morning), “It seems like all crazy stuff happens at once and you just feel bombarded.”

I haven’t had a morning like this in a long time because most days I don’t let it get to me anymore. I hate days that start out like this. But it did get to me this morning and I let the emotions run like wildfire. But then I got an email from one of my best friends and that turned my morning completely around!

Our annual reunion with Kim and her family to OBX was just booked this morning. (Thanks Kim for doing it yet again!) We are going for a week in April and I CANNOT wait!!!!!! April can’t get here soon enough!!!!!