Duck Dreams

Sorry it’s been a while, we’ve been super busy with lots happening in our lives in the past month (lots of updates to come!).  First, we started off the end of summer with our much-anticipated beach trip to Duck, NC (August 31-September 7).  We went with my family and had an awesome time. 

The trip down was quick and easy, even with an 18-month old in tow.  There was time for some photo ops:


and I made sure to take advantage of having Abby in one place and taught her one of the most important things in life...

Let's Go.... "Go-Geeeees"

Our house was fabulous – plenty of room yet cozy, lots of charm, pool table, hot tub, pool, and right on the Atlantic. We arrived on GAME DAY – the season opener of the Hokies, who were unfortunately defeated by Bama, but it is Hokie football nonetheless :)

We woke up [unfortunately... thanks, body, for being in a routine] very early each day.  We would start each morning with a tea party

 

Tea with Abby

We spent lots of time relaxing with our toes in the sand

 

Abby playing in the sand

 

building sand castles with Grandma

Look at my seashell!



our set-up on the ocean... six big chairs and an Abby-sized chair

my cute husband soaking up some sun

hanging out with  Momma

Beachin' it with Aunt Kim & Uncle Daniel

 

"...you've got your wayfarers on and on the sun in your hair..."

After the sun faded away, we would cook dinner & spend lots of time outside on the deck or lounging in the family room.

this girl loves water bottles

boogy-woogy-ing

hanging out with my girl, magna-doodling

And all of those wrapped up our first full day on vacation. Here's the rest of our trip in photos...

Monday, 9/2 - Happy Labor Day!

hanging out next to the "pool!  pool!"

pre-power hour(s) floatin' and readin'

power hour: pool style.  oh, and times two :)

Labor Day Shrimp Boil

Good food, good family, good memories

 Tuesday, 9/3

another early-morning tea party session

hanging with the 'rents

a little lunch-time deck sittin' with my main squeeze

serious ball-playing competition

xoxo



Porch sittin' with my momma, watching the storm

good times with grandma

my girl

 

night swimmin'

 Wednesday, 9/4

enjoying a late lunch after a day of shopping (and the boys fished)

 Thursday, 9/5

Never have I seen the Atlantic Ocean so pretty & clear

paddle-ballin'

the game got FIERCE

we rule paddleball

sleeping hard with lots of toys and the seashells I collected!

getting all dolled up for dinner

 Friday, 9/6

So proud of myself to wake up and workout 3 mornings while on vacation.  This was my "gym".  PS, the water was BEYOND rough that day!  No swimming signs posted, boo!

my post-workout cuddle sesh

fun in the pool with Aunt Kim

relaxing in the hot tub on a chilly/windy day

Love our drink-floats

"are you seriously doing this to me right now??"

VA diner, part 2

will definitely miss this view out of our beautiful room!

We had such an excellent time!  Abby learned lots of words while at the beach including, but not limited to: pool, papa (my dad has an official name!), bird, baby, quack-quack, Hokies, etc.  She refused to say Aunt Kim and Uncle Daniel... I think she was doing it out of spite.  That's alright, she's cuter than a button regardless.  I loved reading, spending quality time with my family making lots of memories, soaking up the sun (with excessive amounts of sunscreen), and the mental break.  Normally, the end of vacation is bitter-sweet, but the blow was lessened because I was going home to prepare for my BEST FRIEND'S wedding!