Family Vacation, Girl Style

My mom planned awesome vacation and rented a huge house in Duck, NC. Then came hurricane Irene, but even mother nature couldn't keep us from the beach! We lost 2 days of our vacation, but as soon as officials allowed people to get back on the island we were all packed and on our way. Some people couldn't make it so it ended up being a girls vacation with the exception of the very manly men, Dan and Mike. Mom and Mike came from VA, my sister and nieces from PA, and the Riggs from IN. We had a BLAST! I got in some much needed bonding time with my mom and sister, Emma got to spend time with her cousins, Mike escaped to lots of golf and Dan..well Dan endured the girls :)

Diva Maddy

Beach Bunny Emma

Gretchie Girl

Bubbles!

The ocean can be terrifying....

cousins that share ketchup will be best friends for life

Gretchie dressing up Dan...

The ladies of the house

I'm still the favorite :)

Mike surrounded by little ladies

Emma and Gretchie surfin' it up

The three amigas..

at the aquarium...instructions "smile"

instructions...."surf"

instructions "look terrified"-notice Dan expressions are all oddly the same ;0)

Emma loves to ride on her daddy's shoulders

Maddy

I think Dan is a natural with three girls....

surfing

surfing

REALLY surfing

The "Bouncy Place"

There is a local business that gets a lot of our business. It is a steal. For $6, Emma gets unlimited time to bounce her bum off and I get at least a 2 hour nap time after. Like I said, a steal. These pictures are from one of our trips with her besties, Renny and Ronica (Reynold and Veronica).

Field Trip

In July I was transitioning between jobs and had the opportunity to go with Emma's class on a field trip. As a working mom, it is a rare thing for me to be able to attend these activities. I think it may have been more fun for me than it was for any of the kids! We went to Art Sparks at the Louisville Speed Museum (a short walk from the Early Learning Center). Total chaos, but total fun!