The Outer Banks

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First glimpse of the ocean.

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We are on vacation… and it feels so good.  My best friend Sarah, her husband TK, and their daughter Addison invited us to join them at their beach house in the Outer Banks.  A week by the beach?  Um… yes, please!

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The kiddos are getting along just fine.  Who knows – maybe they’ll end up as husband and wife one of these days.  All the family beach trips may just bring these little lovebirds together.

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We spent yesterday by the pool – and the ocean – but it was pretty cold.  Apparently, North Carolina hasn’t gotten the memo that it’s mid-May!  The colder temps motivated us to do a little sightseeing today. 

 

Up first – The Wright Brothers Memorial.  The birthplace of modern aviation.  The area was beautiful – and it was interesting to see the location of the first four motorized flights (the longest went about 1,000 feet).  The  museum was short but sweet, and Henry liked having all the space to run around in the open field.

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And then…

 

We headed to Jockey’s Ridge State Park, the site of the tallest natural sand dune in the United States.  It’s a popular hiking spot, a cool place to fly a kite, and – of course – a natural location for hang gliding.  And you know what?  A giant sand dune is the perfect baby play spot…. Until the baby tries to eat the sand, of course.

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Sand everywhere!  In our ears, in Henry’s diaper, and all up in between our toes.

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So much fun – but I’m looking forward to a relaxing beach day tomorrow.  Crossing my sandy fingers for warmer temps!

{ 44 comments }

 

  • Katy May 14, 2013, 8:18 pm

    Jealous!!! I long for a sunny beachside vacation. Live it up!!!

  • Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries May 14, 2013, 8:40 pm

    Oh my goodness gracious, I can’t get over Henry’s adorable baseball cap! Glad you guys are enjoying a vacation!

  • Casey May 14, 2013, 9:10 pm

    It looks like you are having so much fun! If you haven’t already heard about it, you should try the baby powder trick for sand. Sprinkle the baby powder anywhere on your body (or the baby’s) where there is sand, and then it brushes right off instead of sticking to your skin. It’s life changing! Especially during beach diaper changes!

  • Jen @ Little-Crumbs May 14, 2013, 9:40 pm

    Have tons of fun…also I hear baby powder does wonders with getting sand off your skin.

  • Tammy Root May 14, 2013, 9:41 pm

    Where are you in the OBX? I got married in Avon. 🙂 I absolutely love it there. Denny and I went 5 times the year we moved to New Mexico. Had to get our fix in before we moved to the desert!

  • Emily May 14, 2013, 10:51 pm

    We have the same shoes! I love them. They got me through my first 1/2 marathon in the pouring rain ! I joined your blog a month ago. I really enjoy it. Henry and the little girl look like siblings ! Enjoy OBX and thanks for all the wonderful and inspiring posts !

  • Ashlee@HisnHers May 14, 2013, 10:56 pm

    So much fun! That beach house is adorable, and don’t even get me started on Henry’s jumpsuit and the adorable couple. Ahhh I’m dying!

  • Trisha May 14, 2013, 11:11 pm

    Oh my goodness, Henry’s two little teeth are precious!

  • Miranda @ Miranda Runs May 14, 2013, 11:29 pm

    Those pictures are gorgeous! Glad you guys found time to have a family vacation. SO important <3

  • Lara May 14, 2013, 11:31 pm

    Henry is SO CUTE and in some pictures I think he and G really resemble each other. Maybe it’s that reddish hair 🙂

  • Vicki May 14, 2013, 11:46 pm

    ohmygosh Henry looks like a little boy in these pictures, instead of a baby!

  • Kristen L May 15, 2013, 12:57 am

    FUN! I have never been to OBX before, but I will be doing a marathon there in November. Looks like a beautiful location.

  • Megan May 15, 2013, 7:04 am

    love obx! if you are looking for some other kid activities, there is an aquarium on Ronoake island that is free for kids and only $8 for adults. My one year old loved it went we went this spring. Hope you have a nice relaxing vacation!

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed May 15, 2013, 7:27 am

    I’ve heard so many good things about the Outer Banks! I’ve never been to North Carolina, but I’m actually coming to Charlotte over Fourth of July!

  • Teresa May 15, 2013, 8:03 am

    I love reading your blog but hardly ever comment until I saw this post! I love OBX and have been going there with my family every summer since I was a kid! Make sure to try out the restaurants, there are so many that are good, but definitely try out Awful Arthurs! It is small and there can be a wait so going early in the day is better…they have the best seafood! The Outer Banks is definitely your “relaxing” beach vacation but there are lighthouses and other such places you can visit as well. Have a wonderful trip! You are making me anxious for my visit this summer!

  • Jamie May 15, 2013, 9:16 am

    We were just there in late March. Got a groupon for a $45 dollar room, and we realized why when we got there. It was so cold!!!! We stayed in Nags Head and hit up Jennette’s pier (which I highly recommend) and it was 32 degrees outside! Sooooo cold. Visit Duck Donuts for homemade on the spot delicious cake donuts. Seriously good! Have fun!

  • Barbie May 15, 2013, 9:17 am

    my favorite beach in the world!

  • Kimberly C May 15, 2013, 9:37 am

    Ohio is the birthplace of aviation, not NC! The Wright brothers are from Ohio and here is a little article that explains it: http://www.daytoncvb.com/visitors/the-birthplace-of-aviation/
    I hope you enjoy your trip!

  • Bobbie May 15, 2013, 10:24 am

    Looks like fun. We will be in the outer banks in June and I cannot wait. This post is like a teaser..
    I remember the days of babies on the beach..lots of sand eating! We still take home a lot of sand even with older children…

  • Ashley May 15, 2013, 10:48 am

    Henry looks so grown up in the first picture!

    Hopefully warmer temps are coming your way- I’m in Ohio and it is about 30 degrees warmer today than it was 3 days ago.

  • Reenie May 15, 2013, 10:52 am

    Adorable photos of the kiddos!! 🙂

  • Rachel May 15, 2013, 11:21 am

    My home town! How nice to see photos of home on my lunch break! Can’t wait to get back to visit my parents and my ocean in two weeks <3
    Ya'll have fun!

  • Rachel May 15, 2013, 11:41 am

    Woohoo! The husband and I are heading to the Outer Banks TOMORROW. Can’t wait! Bring on some sand and sunshine. We’re planning on heading to the Wright Museum as well!

  • Danielle May 15, 2013, 11:43 am

    We literally JUST got home from the Outer Banks! Make sure you go see the wild horses on the beach! So much fun!!! 🙂

  • emily May 15, 2013, 11:59 am

    Yay for vacation!! I’m going to OBX next week so this post is especially exciting.

  • Emily May 15, 2013, 12:00 pm

    Great photo … Henry and Addison are so adorable! My husband and I got engaged in The Outer Banks, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. Have a wonderful vacation!

  • Sara May 15, 2013, 12:22 pm

    OMG those pictures of Henry and Addison are adorable!!! 🙂 Have fun, so very jealous of you!

  • Elisabeth May 15, 2013, 4:03 pm

    Jealous right now 😉

  • rebecca @ blueberry smiles May 15, 2013, 4:32 pm

    The photos of the babies together are just too cute!! I’ve never been to the Outer Banks, but it looks gorgeous

  • Samantha Maher May 15, 2013, 4:53 pm

    Love that beach house – it looks like something out of a Lemony Snicket book! Have a fab break, the sea looks beautiful there.

  • Ryan May 15, 2013, 4:55 pm

    That beach house looks amazing…love the pool!

  • Susan May 15, 2013, 5:33 pm

    How old is Addison? She and Henry look so cute together!

  • Jim May 15, 2013, 7:52 pm

    What an awesome vacation! I need some friends with a beach house 😉 Also, the pictures of Henry and Addison are way too cute!!

  • Charity May 15, 2013, 11:15 pm

    OMG those pics are so stinkin cute!! PS the beach house looks amazing!

  • Alexandra @ Loving the Good Life May 16, 2013, 12:42 am

    I love the Outer Banks! Your pictures bring back so many memories. My family and I vacationed down there every summer when I was younger. Once Henry gets older, you should go hang gliding at Jockey Ridge! It’s really fun!

  • DadHTP May 16, 2013, 9:15 am

    Actually, that was the first manned heavier than air flight, even if you don’t believe the Russian claims…

  • Cgirl1 May 16, 2013, 12:31 pm

    I <3 the Outer Banks. We did a North Carolina (and Myrtle Beach) road trip exactly one year ago and drove down the coast from NY to Myrtle Beach, then up to Raleigh and across NC to Asheville as our final stop. (We LOVED Charlotte!) Thank you for letting me re-live the gorgeous scenery! Have a great time and I will hope for warmer temps for the rest of your stay (it was cold for us in Kill Devil Hills too!)

  • Kelsey May 16, 2013, 1:58 pm

    I like to run before everyone wakes up! We are going on a month long vacation and my goal will be to run 5 times per week.

    Good job keeping up!

  • Kath May 16, 2013, 9:17 pm

    JOCKEYS RIDGE IS MY FAVORITE BEACH SPOT! (yes I’m that excited and going in September after an 11 year hiatus!)

  • Hope May 17, 2013, 1:20 pm

    Dude. Henry is so cute it kills me. Makes me want to leave work and go grab my little guy from daycare!

  • Jessica R @ fromthekitchentotheroad May 17, 2013, 2:45 pm

    Those two little ones are so cute together!

  • Kelly May 17, 2013, 3:53 pm

    Henry is just so dang cute!!! 🙂

  • LIZ May 23, 2013, 2:45 pm

    Awww, nothing cuter than a baby in a rash guard! I can’t wait to dress Connor in one this summer!

  • Sunny Baxter May 29, 2013, 12:05 pm

    Wow – great adventure.
    Imagine seeing where the first air flight took place.

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