Beach Vacay recap

Well, we're back from our annual family beach vacation and we had a blast. This year we headed to Emerald Isle, NC and stayed in a beautiful home on Pine Knoll Shores. Like last year we spent our time lounging on the beach, drinking coffee in rocking chairs overlooking the ocean, playing board games (Settlers of Catan is our new favorite...you MUST play it!), cooking meals together, hunting for seaglass, and just enjoying each other's company. This is the first year that the ENTIRE family was able to vacation together so it was an added bonus. Here are a few photos from our time together.

Todd and I on the beach right at sunset! I can't believe that we will celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary this month! The time has gone by so fast and we have been so blessed!


This is the view of the ocean from the upper deck of the beach home. Isn't it beautiful?! On this day the waters we so calm and perfectly blue! I wanted to stay in that moment forever.


Halle and I playing in the sand. This was the very beginnings of a turtle sand sculpture.


Collecting seashells!


Hayden giving me a quick smile before heading to the ocean!


Halle watching the fish at the NC Aquarium. I love the look of wonder on her face and how Hayden is tenderly cradling her cheek...which he so often does with his sisters. So sweet!


Ella getting up close and personal with the fish in the 306,000 gallon aquarium...the largest in the state of NC.


Our first family photo that includes EVERYONE in the family! With my brother living in Hawaii and one of my sisters living in Texas we never get photos that include everyone. My mom has been wanting one for many years and it finally happened. The amazing thing is that I set this shot up on a tripod using a self timer and incredibly EVERYONE is looking directly at the camera and smiling! How often does that happen?!!


Me and my brother, sisters, and parents. The last time we had a photo with all of us was at my wedding 10 years ago.


These are my parents sharing a cute moment at the beach. They will be married 32 years later this month!


I LOVE her cute little freckles...one of my favorite parts of her!


Todd and my sister, Amiera, swimming with the wild dolphins. They would swim close to shore most morning feeding on large schools of fish. There were so many of them diving in and out of the water. Todd and Amiera decided to go out for a closer look. They said they could feel the rush of all the fish between their legs!


Halle showing off one of the drawings I made for her! We drew lots of large pictures in the sand during our beach stay.


Hayden enjoying the beach waves! The water was still quite cold but the kids didn't seem to mind the cold one bit. They were in it every day!


Ella enjoying some pool time with daddy.


Nana (my mom) bought each of the grandkids a bandana and wanted a photo of all of them together. They loved wearing them around the house pretending they were pirates!




I have a ton more photos but these were some of my favorites! I'm already looking forward to next years beach trip! Hope you all had a great mother's day yesterday and that you have a great Monday!