On July 20th we headed back to the Outerbanks for our vacation with the Ducote family. For both trips we flew into Norfolk, which is the closest airport to the Outerbanks, and then drove about 2 hours to the beach. The flight was a little under 3 hours and the kids were really good all 4 legs. Unfortunately we had some issues with our seats on this trip...on the flight there Rich was in the row behind us so we passed Ella back and forth to one another. And on the way home Ella and I were going to sit a few rows in front of Joseph and Rich but there was an issue with the oxygen masks so it ended up being Joseph, Ella and I all together and Rich a few rows ahead of us-Daddy lucked out on that one! Thankfully about half way through the flight after a bit of an argument with the flight attendant he was able to move back to our row so it all worked out.
The kids didn't seem to mind and had fun!
We made a fun detour at our friend's, the Gaffigans, when we landed. They live outside of Norfolk so we stopped there on SAturday night for dinner. Rich and Matt went to West Point together and have stayed great friends since college. I have met Lezlie a few times and they are a great couple and have adorable twins who will be 4 this winter. It was fun catching up and Joseph, Joe and Lyllah had a blast together!
After dinner we put the kids in their pjs and drove to the beach house. The Ducote beach house was about an hour south of where we stayed with the delaMontaigne family and it was much more remote. Definitely reminded me of the Nicholas Sparks' books and movies especially since Rodanthe was the town next to where we stayed!
The house that they rented was almost exactly the same set-up as the one we had a few weeks prior-three stories, lots of bedrooms, a pool, basketball court, hot tub-it was great!
We spent a lot of time at the beach which was just a short walk from the house and were in the pool every day as well.
Our set up at the baech
The cousins had a great time together!
Here are John, Michael and Joseph waiting for the ice cream man.
Uncle Brent had to get in on dessert, too!
No ice cream for Ella quite yet!
Michael is the oldest cousin and is so great with Ella.
Terri's brother and sisters stayed in a house just down the street from us so we normally swam in the pool and would go over after dinner to hang out with all of the extended family.
Here is Ella hanging out with Rich's cousin, Lisa
We celebrated Nonna's birthday together on the 22nd
Aunt Patti and baby Eva (Chris and Angie's little girl)
Aunt Maria and John enjoying Nonna's birthday cake
Michael and Joseph enjoying the cake
Ella loved touching Uncle Brent's beard!
But didn't like it when I tried taking out her pacifier to get a picture
Joseph and Ryan had the same soccer shirts and they were so excited to wear them together!
One night we went into Kitty Hawk, about thirty minutes from the beach house, to a small amusement park/carnival. We had a fun night playing games and going on the rides with all of the cousins.
This was Joseph's first time at a carnival to play games and he caught on fast!
Joseph deciding which prize he wanted after he caught a fish. He chose a blow up hammer but then Michael and John both chose light up swords so we wnet back to switch the hammer for the sword as well (and had to pay 2 extra tickets to do so!)
Enjoying the rides!
Zachary and Ryan going up to the top!
Joseph and Daddy getting ready to go
Gina and the boys
Love these two!
Everyone loved the light up swords!
Sam kept hold of it while the bigger cousins were on the rides
Even Ella got a turn
and a bite!
We ended the night with a stop at Dairy Queen for ice cream (where Joseph ate all of mine and most of his) so it was a fun summer night!
Our attempt at trying to get a picture of most of the cousins. Not great luck but it was fun trying!
Thanks for a great week Ducote family! We always have such a great time together! Looking forward to our next visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment