VACATION!

We are officially back from vacation! We made it back home safe and sound! We arrived home Saturday night around 10:00 p.m. We were really sad to come home but really glad when we got here and were able to sleep in our own beds.

We had the BEST week! We (the Mays, the Austins, and the Jones) made plans a few weeks ago to go to Emerald Isle in North Carolina. If you don't know where that is, it's part of the Outer Banks and located on the southern most tip. It is gorgeous there and I'm so jealous of those who get to live there. It is a small community situated on an island that is only about six to seven house rows wide. It is so fun! We rented an oceanfront house right on the beach. It was so awesome to wake up every morning to the beach and go to sleep every night with the sounds of the ocean singing you to sleep.

Every morning, we would take walks on the beach and gather new shells the tide would bring in each night. We have quite a collection! We spent our days on the beach, shopping, or touring the nearby towns. We had one cold and rainy day (Thursday) so we spent that day at the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium which turned out to be really fun. The kids got to "pet" stingrays, horseshoe crabs, and sharks. It is was really great. We also got to eat some amazing seafood! We went to this restaurant which is our new favorite called AJ's. It was delicious! I had Mahi Mahi the first visit and the second visit, Elijah and I ate shrimp and crab. YUMMY!

In the evenings, different couples would take turns making big dinners and then each couple had a date night. Mom did a Hawaiian night (complete with authentic Hawaiian outfits, lais, and umbrellas in fancy drinks.) The Mays did a Mexican night with delicious margs! The Jones did an American style dinner. We were not present on this night since it was our night out.

Our date was so fun! We first went to a restaurant called Kathryn's for drinks. It was a pretty fancy place and it was so fun to be there! Afterwards, we went to see a movie (Premonition) and then we traveled to Moorhead City to eat at Sonic. We had been dying to try this restaurant since we don't have one in Muncie and their commercials crack us up! It was a good night and were glad to have some time together.

The kids had a great time. Believe it or not, they all swam in the ocean nearly everyday (which was pretty darn cold!) However, they kept saying, "C'mon, Mom! Once you get used to the water, it's fine!" I think this translates into "Once you're in the water and your skin becomes numb, you really can't feel the hypothermia setting in!!!"

Shopping is great! Everything is a little pricey but you can find some stores that are very reasonable. We do have favorites. Our very favorite t-shirt and souvenir place is called Pacific Superstore. It was there we met Kamal who is the cutest little soccer playing Moroccan. I believe he manages the store. He gave us many good bargains! Thanks Kamal!!! You Rock!

We have TONS of pictures and I'll include some from our trip this week. I'll try not to bombard you with them...so I will limit myself!

This honestly was one of our best vacations. It rates up there with our California vacation a couple years ago.

Bottom line...if you're looking for a great vacation....look into Emerald Isle! I promise, you won't be disappointed!!!