Beach 2019

End of school and summer mean a week at the beach with the Seths. Hannah and Hunter both love the beach and really can not get enough of it! We had a count down going and they were both very excited. Looking at the forecast, I was not sure what we were going to get since there was a lot of rain but you just never know at the beach. I kept reminding the kids that there is a 6 hour drive to get to the beach but that did not dampen their spirits. Saturday morning we were able to get on the road around 8:30. This was not before Hunter stuck a pencil eraser up his nose and we had to get him out of the car to get it out. Thankfully I had been informed of a trick to get it out. I also apparently remembered incorrectly. I covered his mouth and blew in the nostril that was not plugged and the eraser flew out of the other nostril. I was supposed to close the unplugged nostril and blow in his mouth and it would do the same thing. We were then able to get loaded back up on and we were on our way. We have found a great place to stop half way which has a Bass Pro Shop as well as a number of places to eat, Chic-fila included. We stopped there as usual and let the kids run around for a bit.

Ready to go. After the eraser incident.

Hannah ready to go as well.

We arrived at the beach house just after the Seths. It was a new place to us in a slightly different area, about a mile south of where we have been staying. There was a boardwalk to the beach and a community pool. We ordered pizza for the first night to make dinner easy as we unpacked the vehicles. There is always a run to the grocery store that first night to try and get most of what we will need for the week. We also made it down to the beach that first night as well. I should know better than to go down in just my regular clothes, thinking I will not get wet. It never works out that way.

The kids eating at their own dinner table!

Sweatshirts from Nana and Grandpa

realizing Hunter needs a bigger swimsuit!

Oh the sand we found

Jump shot

Sunday we headed to a new water park that is open this year. It opened part of the way through the season last year but was not open while we were down. It is a very family friendly water park and both the kids could ride the majority of the rides, including the water slides. Hunter was all about the water slides. Hannah did venture down a couple that all four of us could go down together. She really liked the lazy river and the wave pool. Not many pictures from the water park since I was in the water with them. Kristen may have some on her blog.

We had a number of times we were able to get to the beach and play in the waves. Both the kids really love the water. The weather was nice that at times it was overcast so the sun was not too hot. There was a little rain now and then throughout the week but no day was a wash out. Both kids tried standing on a boogie board and having the waves pick them up. Hunter could not get enough of it!

We also went to the aquarium, always a favorite with the kids. Last year there was a dinosaur exhibit outside and evidently Hunter was really looking forward to it. It is now a bird interactive exhibit and for the next few days we were asked why the sign said "birds" instead of "dinosaurs?" We also headed to the sand dunes at Jockey's Ridge. The kids love running around and they have a lot of space to do it in. We also spent some time on the sound side where the water was really shallow and the kids were finding clam shells.

Note Hunter hiking up his shorts to try and keep them dry!

We also made it to the community pool. It was a bit bigger than the one we have used in the past but many more people were there as well. Still lots of fun in the water. On a side note, evidently you can submerge a phone in water for 30 min and it can still work!

Wednesday it was supposed to rain but it never really panned out. We decided to take advantage of the cloudy skies and went and played put put golf. The kids did great! They had a great time though Hannah used more of a hockey move of scooting the ball vs actually hitting it. Hunter needs to work on his form. Chad beat us all.

It is always somewhat windy at the beach and Wednesday afternoon we took a kite to the beach. Easiest kite flying I have ever done! The kids were enjoying it when it started to pour down.

Thursday we headed down to Cape Hatteras Light Station. Last year Hunter was not tall enough to walk up to the top of Bodee Island Light Station and he was so upset he was left behind. This year he was tall enough to walk up the tallest light station in the US and second tallest in the world! He loved it and both kids did very well. We headed back for a rest and then went back to the water park. So many steps!!

He is now tall enough!

That evening we went to Booty Treats. Evidently Chris had been remembering Chads cookie sandwich that he got there last year. Always a good place for ice cream!

Friday we headed back for a couple more rounds of put put. The kids had really enjoyed it so we played some more at a different place. This one had dinosaurs. The kids loved it. 36 holes at lightening speed!

That afternoon we headed back to the water park for one more half day. Hunter headed straight for the slides. We were able to convince Hannah to go down one slide. She then went down in 2 more times. They both also did the obstacle course which was in deeper water. Hannah was able to finish the whole thing on her own without falling off. Hunter gave it his best 3 different times but was unable to finish it. Next year for sure! One last time having ice cream, this time at a different place. It was just as good and they sang while they were scooping!

Hannah and Hunter were both sad to leave the beach. Hannah even shed a few tears. We are glad they love the water and the beach and foresee continued future trips. This year we found out that Hunter can in fact sleep in the same room as someone else! He did a great job sharing a room with Owen and Willow and Hannah shared a room. They all did great! Until next time beach.