After staying overnight in Beckely,WV, we're back on the road by 8:30am est. & headed home. Kids did get riding especially since Jess was fighting a slight cold. Thankfully I brought some Benadryl along to make her feel better.
We got home about 2:30am cst. It was nice to be able to sleep in our own beds.
I want to say thank you to everyone who helped out with the kids at the beach house. They had a blast & I never could have done it without everyone's help. Also a special thank you to Jim(gpa), Jan(gma), Julia, & John for driving & helping me out with the kids. The kids (at least JP) will have great memories from his first time at re beach & it will be great showing Jess when she gets older. Thank you very much!!!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Day 9-Friday-Last Day
Today after breakfast we headed it to the pool. After about an hour we went back inside & went shopping. If you ever go to the obx make sure to find the Discount Tshirt Store. Here you pick out a blank tshirt & then you pick what design you want pressed on to it. It's awesome! Plus they have other souvenirs for less than the other area shops.
For lunch Jim & Julie went to eat seafood & the rest of us ate at the Yellow Submarine again. As we were leaving it started to rain. Most of the time these showers lasted at most thirty minutes. Not this time. It poured & poured the whole time we were loaded the cars.
While loading Rick & Sherry kept an eye on Jess & JP was playing with the kids upstairs. I told Rick his job was to make sure she didn't fall asleep. When I told JP it was time to go he got very upset because he didn't want to go. He wanted to stay & play. So after the tearful goodbye, we loaded up & headed out about 245p est. We stopped to get gas & before we left the gas station she was already asleep.
We drove all day in the pouring rain through the mountains & stopped about midnight in one of the last rooms in the city of Beckley, WV. Thankfully we called ahead otherwise we wouldn't have had a place to stay.
Tomorrow is an all day travel day. Should be pretty close to home by the end of the day!
For lunch Jim & Julie went to eat seafood & the rest of us ate at the Yellow Submarine again. As we were leaving it started to rain. Most of the time these showers lasted at most thirty minutes. Not this time. It poured & poured the whole time we were loaded the cars.
While loading Rick & Sherry kept an eye on Jess & JP was playing with the kids upstairs. I told Rick his job was to make sure she didn't fall asleep. When I told JP it was time to go he got very upset because he didn't want to go. He wanted to stay & play. So after the tearful goodbye, we loaded up & headed out about 245p est. We stopped to get gas & before we left the gas station she was already asleep.
We drove all day in the pouring rain through the mountains & stopped about midnight in one of the last rooms in the city of Beckley, WV. Thankfully we called ahead otherwise we wouldn't have had a place to stay.
Tomorrow is an all day travel day. Should be pretty close to home by the end of the day!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Day 8-Thursday
Poor JP woke up with a stomach bug. Thankfully Jess is now comfortable enough with everyone where I just sent her upstairs with Aunt Kathy to get breakfast. She didn't even care I left. After getting some pepto & sprite in him, he was feeling better.
Grandpa that morning found the kids sea shells from when he went out walking that morning.
Julie & John took Jess down to the beach & after awhile I went down too to check on her. While sitting on the beach, we saw two kayakers out in the ocean & surrounding them were dolphins. It was so cool watching them come up above the surface. I was so mad that was the one time I did't bring down my camera. Also it was fun watching the pelicans fish for food. If you have never seen a pelican fish, they look like their just flying along & then all of the sudden the start nose diving for the water & you see a huge splash, & them you see the pelican just sitting on top of the water.
JP wanted to go swimmin but I made him stay out of the pool just in case. He did take a nap with Jess & Grandma while Julie, Maria, & I went shopping.
In the afternoon, the kids went go cart racing but since JP was still asleep he didn't get to go.
We had a slight shower in the afternoon which produced a double rainbow over the ocean. The kids & adults loved it.
In the evening we had ice cream, them all the adults excluding myself went to the comedy club. I stayed back In case JP felt sick & I knew my kids wouldn't go to sleep with anyone else. It worked out great. I had them watch "how to train a dragon" & made popcorn. Elizabeth helped me make sure all the kids made it to bed.
Tomorrow we leave for home!
Grandpa that morning found the kids sea shells from when he went out walking that morning.
Julie & John took Jess down to the beach & after awhile I went down too to check on her. While sitting on the beach, we saw two kayakers out in the ocean & surrounding them were dolphins. It was so cool watching them come up above the surface. I was so mad that was the one time I did't bring down my camera. Also it was fun watching the pelicans fish for food. If you have never seen a pelican fish, they look like their just flying along & then all of the sudden the start nose diving for the water & you see a huge splash, & them you see the pelican just sitting on top of the water.
JP wanted to go swimmin but I made him stay out of the pool just in case. He did take a nap with Jess & Grandma while Julie, Maria, & I went shopping.
In the afternoon, the kids went go cart racing but since JP was still asleep he didn't get to go.
We had a slight shower in the afternoon which produced a double rainbow over the ocean. The kids & adults loved it.
In the evening we had ice cream, them all the adults excluding myself went to the comedy club. I stayed back In case JP felt sick & I knew my kids wouldn't go to sleep with anyone else. It worked out great. I had them watch "how to train a dragon" & made popcorn. Elizabeth helped me make sure all the kids made it to bed.
Tomorrow we leave for home!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Day 7-Wednesday
We went went swimming in the morning in the pool. JP is starting to get really good at swimming.
Julie & I left to go to lunch & then had frozen yogurt at the Sweet Frog. It's kind of like a Peach Wave or Orange Leaf but a lot more flavor & topping choices. Then Julie & Jim had arranged a spa afternoon for Julie & myself. We had massages, facials, pedicures, & manicures. It was a great afternoon. I had never had a facial before & it was great!
After dinner we loaded up & went to Jockeys Ridge. It's huge sand dunes that you can climb. Some of the dunes were really steep & I had Jess in the backpack carrier so made it a little difficult to climb but we made it! All the kids had a blast climbing & rolling down the hills. The last one coming down was really steep & all the kids would race down it. Poor JP being the youngest one doing it couldn't quite keep up but he still had fun! All of us were covered head to toe in sand.
We all came home, showered, & you guessed it ice cream again served by Uncle Rick. Tomorrow will be our last day since we're going to be leaving on Friday after lunch.
Julie & I left to go to lunch & then had frozen yogurt at the Sweet Frog. It's kind of like a Peach Wave or Orange Leaf but a lot more flavor & topping choices. Then Julie & Jim had arranged a spa afternoon for Julie & myself. We had massages, facials, pedicures, & manicures. It was a great afternoon. I had never had a facial before & it was great!
After dinner we loaded up & went to Jockeys Ridge. It's huge sand dunes that you can climb. Some of the dunes were really steep & I had Jess in the backpack carrier so made it a little difficult to climb but we made it! All the kids had a blast climbing & rolling down the hills. The last one coming down was really steep & all the kids would race down it. Poor JP being the youngest one doing it couldn't quite keep up but he still had fun! All of us were covered head to toe in sand.
We all came home, showered, & you guessed it ice cream again served by Uncle Rick. Tomorrow will be our last day since we're going to be leaving on Friday after lunch.
Day 6-Tuesday
JP didn't really want to go to the pool or beach so we decided it would be a good day to do activities outside the house. So grandpa, Julie, John, JP, Jess, & I all loaded up & drove down to Ronake Island to the North Carolina Aquarium. It was really cool. It was creatures that live in the sound (fresh water) & the ocean (salt water). There was alligators in one tank that could swim right up to you & look at them through the glass. Also lots of fish & even a tank with a giant shark in it. Then they had an area where you could reach in & touch sting rays & other sea creatures. Both kids tried to touch them but their little arms werent long enough yet.
After there we headed to eat & Jess fell asleep. We stopped to eat at the Yellow Submarine & when we got her out she stayed asleep. I finally woke her up to eat. After we ate we dropped off grandpa & drove about an hour down to Cape Hatteras to see the lighthouse. When we got there we realized we couldnt go up because the kids weren't big enough & we couldn't carry them. JP was a little disappointed but soon said his stomach hurt so we loaded up & headed back home. We stopped & picked him up a kite which he picked out a pirate one.
After dinner we all loaded up & headed down about two miles to the Jeanette pier. Here people could fish off the side.
We got back & had ice cream again. Jess got her first ice cream cone & loved it! She was covered in it!
Kids were both exhausted after the day.
After there we headed to eat & Jess fell asleep. We stopped to eat at the Yellow Submarine & when we got her out she stayed asleep. I finally woke her up to eat. After we ate we dropped off grandpa & drove about an hour down to Cape Hatteras to see the lighthouse. When we got there we realized we couldnt go up because the kids weren't big enough & we couldn't carry them. JP was a little disappointed but soon said his stomach hurt so we loaded up & headed back home. We stopped & picked him up a kite which he picked out a pirate one.
After dinner we all loaded up & headed down about two miles to the Jeanette pier. Here people could fish off the side.
We got back & had ice cream again. Jess got her first ice cream cone & loved it! She was covered in it!
Kids were both exhausted after the day.
Day 5-Monday
Today was beach again in the morning. Kids played in the sand but didn't get in the water. Well JP did once but then quickly got out because the water was freezing cold.
In the afternoon we mainly rested. Both kids were tired so Jess took a nap & JP & I watched a movie. That afternoon we had a quick thunderstorm that rolled in.
After dinner Rick & Dave loaded up all the younger kids & took them to play miniature golf. At first JP didnt want to go but said he would if John did. So away they went. While they were golfing, the ladies walked the beach to the pier. I loaded Jess into my baby carrier so she could go too. She liked riding in it just didn't like it when the waves would get too close to us. She would squeal & then hug close to me. By the time we got to the house she had fallen asleep. Shortly after returning the kids returned & JP said he had a great time. The kids even said he almost had a hole in one! They went to the Mutiny Bay miniature golf. A pirate themed one.
Rick had bought ice cream & cones so we all got a special treat!
In the afternoon we mainly rested. Both kids were tired so Jess took a nap & JP & I watched a movie. That afternoon we had a quick thunderstorm that rolled in.
After dinner Rick & Dave loaded up all the younger kids & took them to play miniature golf. At first JP didnt want to go but said he would if John did. So away they went. While they were golfing, the ladies walked the beach to the pier. I loaded Jess into my baby carrier so she could go too. She liked riding in it just didn't like it when the waves would get too close to us. She would squeal & then hug close to me. By the time we got to the house she had fallen asleep. Shortly after returning the kids returned & JP said he had a great time. The kids even said he almost had a hole in one! They went to the Mutiny Bay miniature golf. A pirate themed one.
Rick had bought ice cream & cones so we all got a special treat!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Day 4 Beach!!!
Today we spent most of the day at the beach or in the pool. Kids had a blast playing in the sand. Jess loved helping the older kids build trenches & sand castles. They actually didn't mind when she would knock them over. She didn't like it though when the water would come up every once in awhile & get her wet. She'd get up & start running away.
JP spent some time gettin his legs wet in the waves. At one point he was sitting down with Julie & a wave came up & completely soaked him. I ended up taking Jess up after about a half hour to an hour due to her cheeks being so red. JP stayed & played in the sand & one of the last to come back. Then he got in the pool for awhile.
Not much else going on. In the evenings after dinner we usually take the kids back down to play in the sand until its too dark to see. JP would stand & watch the waves & when they would get close, he'd take off running trying to out run them. Eventually he did get wet. He also enjoyed rolling in the sand, so a shower was very much needed when we got back.
JP has been playing with all the kids. They're favorite is rolling the pool balls across the table to see who can get the most in the pockets.
Jess & I went on a walk down the street a little over a mile. She enjoyed watching the motorcycles drive by & picking flowers along the way.
Both kids did't take long to go to sleep & I went to bed early too!
JP spent some time gettin his legs wet in the waves. At one point he was sitting down with Julie & a wave came up & completely soaked him. I ended up taking Jess up after about a half hour to an hour due to her cheeks being so red. JP stayed & played in the sand & one of the last to come back. Then he got in the pool for awhile.
Not much else going on. In the evenings after dinner we usually take the kids back down to play in the sand until its too dark to see. JP would stand & watch the waves & when they would get close, he'd take off running trying to out run them. Eventually he did get wet. He also enjoyed rolling in the sand, so a shower was very much needed when we got back.
JP has been playing with all the kids. They're favorite is rolling the pool balls across the table to see who can get the most in the pockets.
Jess & I went on a walk down the street a little over a mile. She enjoyed watching the motorcycles drive by & picking flowers along the way.
Both kids did't take long to go to sleep & I went to bed early too!
Day 3 Made it...finally
After the rough start of having vehicle problems, the rest of the day wasn't too bad. We were in a lot of stop & go traffic, creeping along 10-20 mph an hour. At one point in the stop & go traffic, Julie & I look over & there is a girl hanging out of the window with the creepiest looking mask I have ever seen! Then a little while later, I was in the car with my eyes closed when I heard a crunch. I opened my eyes ' thankfully was not one of our vehicles. It was the car in front of Jim & Jan. so since they witnessed it, they pulled over to give their info & make sure everyone was ok.
We finally made it to the beach house in Nags Head about 530p. Everyone was excited to see us. It was crazy to see how much all the cousins have grown since I hadn't seen them since 2008.
Of course once JP saw the pool he was ready to get in. So Julie out on her suit to go swimming with him.
That evening we walked down to the beach right when it was starting to get dark. The kids were a little scared at first of the waves & loud noise. Julie held JP & after she for wet a few times he realized how fun it was & by the time we left he was soaked! Jess however didn't like it at all. She would cling to me for dear life if I tried to put her down.
Both kids had a hard time going to sleep with all the excitement, but with a little help from Gma, they finally went to sleep.
We finally made it to the beach house in Nags Head about 530p. Everyone was excited to see us. It was crazy to see how much all the cousins have grown since I hadn't seen them since 2008.
Of course once JP saw the pool he was ready to get in. So Julie out on her suit to go swimming with him.
That evening we walked down to the beach right when it was starting to get dark. The kids were a little scared at first of the waves & loud noise. Julie held JP & after she for wet a few times he realized how fun it was & by the time we left he was soaked! Jess however didn't like it at all. She would cling to me for dear life if I tried to put her down.
Both kids had a hard time going to sleep with all the excitement, but with a little help from Gma, they finally went to sleep.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Day 2 Travel....
Friday was travel day. Both kids did great. We switched them up in the afternoon & Jess took two naps in the van. We left Columbia, Mo a little after 8am cst & drove to Lexington, Va to stay the night about 12:30am est. On the way we drove though St Louis, Mo seeing the arch, Busch Stadium, & Union Station where Jim & I stayed six years ago with Edward Jones. JP liked it when we drove other the bridges. We've gone through a few rain showers & only have had to slow down one time for road work.
Day 3 hasn't started so well. We went to leave for breakfast & the van wouldn't start & Julie's check engine light came on. After doing a check at Advance Auto parts, it was just a loose gas cap. However we had to replace the battery in the van & then found out it wasn't the battery but the alternator. We're now back on the road & about 3 hours away.
JP is very excited to get to the beach. Every stop yesterday he asked if we were at the beach yet. When they were working on the van, JP said to me with the most disappointing look on his face, "we're never going to get to the beach.". It broke my heart! I assured him we were still going to the beach. We ate at Waffle House for breakfast & JP was disappointed they didn't have "pampakes" (pancakes). He still ate most of his waffle though.
One other neat thing we had just started driving again & passed a Village Tours bus from Wichita, Ks! We couldn't believe it! Hoping the rest of today is less eventful then this morning.
Day 3 hasn't started so well. We went to leave for breakfast & the van wouldn't start & Julie's check engine light came on. After doing a check at Advance Auto parts, it was just a loose gas cap. However we had to replace the battery in the van & then found out it wasn't the battery but the alternator. We're now back on the road & about 3 hours away.
JP is very excited to get to the beach. Every stop yesterday he asked if we were at the beach yet. When they were working on the van, JP said to me with the most disappointing look on his face, "we're never going to get to the beach.". It broke my heart! I assured him we were still going to the beach. We ate at Waffle House for breakfast & JP was disappointed they didn't have "pampakes" (pancakes). He still ate most of his waffle though.
One other neat thing we had just started driving again & passed a Village Tours bus from Wichita, Ks! We couldn't believe it! Hoping the rest of today is less eventful then this morning.
Friday, July 13, 2012
On the road...
After several crazy, late nights packing we are on the road. Leaving about 645p we made it to Columbia, Mo about 1145p with only two stops on the way. JP is riding in the van with Grandpa & Grandma Morgan & John & Jess with me in Julie's car with Julie. JP & John watched How to Train a Dragon & put a puzzle together.
Jess however is my challenge. She's not exactly the best traveler. I've already rotated through several DVDs, a bag of toys, books, & coloring books. We were barely out of Wichita when Jess says "I want out".
Plus we've also have Elmo traveling with us! Posted pics of where he's been so far!
On to day 2. Traveling all day. Hoping for slots of naps (yeah right!)
Jess however is my challenge. She's not exactly the best traveler. I've already rotated through several DVDs, a bag of toys, books, & coloring books. We were barely out of Wichita when Jess says "I want out".
Plus we've also have Elmo traveling with us! Posted pics of where he's been so far!
On to day 2. Traveling all day. Hoping for slots of naps (yeah right!)
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