Beach Toys

Our beach house had a plethora of beach paraphernalia, including this sea kayak. Little did we know that we had chosen the day with the biggest waves to try it out. Here are Trevor and Ali posing after their first attempt into the water. They didn't get further than the first set of waves.

My dad and I had the brilliant idea of helping them get the kayak out into the calmer water. Instead of getting them any further past the waves, I had my first brush with death--a near decapitation by kayak. That was the last time I touched the thing.

When the waves were calmer, there were many more successful kayak launches, but no one could manage to get back to the beach without capsizing right before reaching the shore.

Penelope had her own method of kayaking.

It proved to be much safer.

I did finally venture out on the boogie boards the last day.

And even caught a few waves.

Grandpa showed off his frisbee skills.

Penelope, the snorkeler

Uncle Matt, now known to Penelope as "Mr. Awesome"

Evie with her beach toy (snagged while Penelope was inside napping)

My favorite beach past time--relaxing.

A Room with a View

(Still trying to catch up from a month's worth of visits and vacationing....I think we overdid it on pictures for our week at Pine Knoll Shores beach back at the end of June. I'll make it a bit easier on you and break it up into mini-installments. Here goes part 1...)

It takes quite a bit of planning and organizing to get all of my family together for our yearly vacation, but the end result is always well worth it. With two toddlers now added to the gang of adults, we opted for the beach house summer vacation. We also convinced everyone to come to us for a change and check out the lovely NC Outerbanks--our favorite beach spot. We took up residence for a week in this lovely secluded beach house. We woke up every morning to magnificent views of the ocean waves crashing down below and sipped our coffee while pods of dolphins swam by. It was sea turtle nesting season, but try as we might, we didn't encounter any. There were plenty of crab encounters though--I'm still cringing inside just thinking about the instance I nearly stepped on one. And my brother swears he was inches from a sting ray at low tide--the image of him hightailing it right out of the water is priceless.

The "Kids" in attendance (Matt & Jocelyn, Trevor & Ali, Me & Him), snapped the evening we all went out to   dinner while the Grandparents entertained the little ones

Grandpa and Grandma with granddaughters Penelope and Evie (not once did I capture both girls smiling in a shot!)

Our house had a nice pool, which Penelope tried out a couple times, but since she refused to wear any flotation device which just made me a nervous wreck, we stuck to the beach most of the time.

Thanks to our two practice runs to the beach, Penelope was immediately ready to run and play in the waves. 

And play she did!

Family wave pic (watch that hand placement P!)

beachcomber

I think she is using bribery here to convince me to let her live permanently at the beach

At work with her beloved "big" shell in one hand--which subsequently broke on the tile floor and was replaced by "big shell" stand-in #2 and #3--which also met their demise on the tile floor.

Yes, Daddy and the other big kids also had fun at the beach. But more on that later...

Beach 201

We couldn't resist taking Poppy and DeDe to the beach for the day. Unlike the previous weekend at the beach, Penelope went straight for the water without batting an eyelash.

Penelope's highlight was jumping the waves (with a little help from Poppy and DeDe)

There were a bunch of helicopter and airplane fly-by's when we were there, which added a fun, new element of beach entertainment for Penelope.

Looking for dolphins with Mommy

A rare family portrait

I'd say that after this beach trip Penelope was more than acclimated and ready for our week long vacation at Pine Knoll Shores the following week. Let the vacation begin!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

A highlight of DeDe and Poppy's visit was going to the Durham Bulls baseball game. It was Penelope's first ballgame, and she was quite excited.

examining the tickets

looking a bit unsure as to what this baseball thing is all about

Penelope was enraptured with the ball players. She stood and watched for several innings in utter amazement.

Every so often the music would blast on, and Penelope would launch into a full-on dance party. But as soon as it stopped she went back to watching the field in quiet awe.

People who know me know that I am the farthest thing from a baseball fan, but I have to admit that I enjoyed every minute of this game. Of course, my eyes were on my little girl instead of on the ball.

Penelope got an up close encounter with Wool E. Bull. 

She was terrified.

Notice the look of terror on her face when we proposed posing for a picture with Wool E. like the other kids were doing.

Later in the game, Penelope got to sit behind the dugout. She brazenly started calling out to the players, "Hit the ball!" But when a couple of the players finally turned around and acknowledged her and tried to answer her, Penelope suddenly froze. That was the end of her taunting.

If her dad will have his way, that will be the first of many, many baseball games they will attend together.

A girl, after her dad's own heart.

Story Time with Poppy

entrancing

Baking with DeDe

Visits with grandparents means tradition-making and tradition-keeping.

First thing Saturday morning, DeDe showed Penelope how to make biscuits, just like Papa J and Mama J showed her so many years ago.

And so the tradition continues...

one biscuit at a time.

Fireworks and Waterworks

Poppy and DeDe decided to get some sparklers to try out with Penelope since it was getting close to the 4th of July. We were in Germany during July 4th last year, so this whole fireworks thing was new to her. At first, Penelope wasn't sure if sparklers were a fun endeavor or just fiery sticks of torture.

"Surely you're not about to hurt me with those things?! Why don't you back up a bit!"

"I'm trying to act brave, but really I'm about to wet my pants--er, diaper!"

"Why are you laughing Poppy? Don't you see I'm about to cry???"

"Alright. I guess that wasn't so scary after all. Now can I have the lighter?"