Emerald Isle

We waited ALL summer for our beach vacation and it finally came August 10! Off to Emerald Isle, NC, we scored an amazing set-up that was perfect for our crew. The house worked well, but the property was such a bonus....

on the Sound side of the island, Andrew fished and crabbed for hours each day (thanks to a VERY patient Dad), we had our own beach area for picnics and ladder ball, a covered gazebo for the warmer days, a hidden treasure in the woods, a large back deck and no neighbors in site. All just 1.5 blocks from the beach---yeah, we'd pick this one again!

What an awesome week we were fortunate to have!

Daddy was able to unplug and fully enjoy our week away.

Matthew was tickled by the ocean. Can you hear, "I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down!"

Margaret adores boogie boarding, go-karts, and whatever Andrew's doing.

Andrew could fish all day, is fond of catching, steaming, and eating crabs, loves the ocean, and never, ever, ever tires.

Mommy was in love, and judged perfectly on the beach booze she packed:)

Think Andrew enjoyed himself???

Picture perfect not-so-little girl...

Three little sand-crab diggers

Lovin' on Daddy

Lots of shoveling projects...

And a high-five!

Matthew decided we needed a Mommy-Sonrise date on the beach.

I love the colors on the beach this early in the morning.

A favorite

The sunrise on the waves just before crashing is a beauty difficult to capture.

My little buddy

Picnic lunch under the canopy

Tackling big brother

Love my boys!

The aquarium just north of Emerald Isle is incredible! Snapped a quick one before their attention was impossible to grab.

Fort Macon - was proud how well they paid attention to the 30 minute video before our tour.

What is it with little boys and any sort of weapons???

Lots of success of everyday!

Oh, how I would LOVE for a fish in that bucket to jump up at them!

One can do most anything for an afternoon on the dock. If fishing gets boring, you can also play salon! Matthew's first "haircut".

Mmmm, crab. It's what's for dinner!

Mmmm, dinner. Grilled shrimp, mahi-mahi, crab and marinated chicken.

Flying a kite

Baseball!

Let the boogie boarding begin - HOURS of fun...

"Now what?"

If only pictures could capture the fun they were having

What do you call them? Hand-made tidal pools? Self-dug?

On a roll our last morning out, Andrew caught TEN tiny fish with his minnow net!

Simply stunning sunsets

Andrew's first shots on the big camera - not bad for age 6!

The only thing Margaret said during the entire Go-Kart round was, "FASTER! FASTER! FASTER!" I couldn't help but include her various expressions in this series.