Wook I'm a Wifeguards!

One night we ventured down to the empty lifeguard chair. Since TG and I met and fell in love as lifeguards we had to give in and let her climb up and give it a go.

She was pretty darn excited.

"Pretend to see a shark!"

"Look for the rescue ATV!"

Showing TG and Camden the ropes. "Now you sit here, and you watch there, and you..."

Then TG started telling her how you have to save people and not just watch dolphins and she wasn't so sure about that.

Someday maybe.

Dip Your Toes In The Ocean

After the drive to our house we were all more than ready to get out and stretch. We quickly parked the cars, ran through the house, oohed and ahhed and then headed straight for the beach. Which was conveniently only 50 yards from our front door, via a small set of stairs.

The sound of the waves and the salt air immediately lifted all of our spirits. Then we hit the top step and all the stress of planning, organizing, packing, and driving melted away.

A permasmile for the week was pasted on all of our faces. With that backdrop what else would you do but grin ear to ear?

He looked at the ocean in wonder.

She started the search for shells immediately.

He yelled at the waves with delight.

She braced herself for the first feel of the ocean.

Camden joined Riley down by the waves. They waited together in anticipation.

As the wave washed over, he squealed, she laughed and the water soaked their clothes, but we didn't mind.

Then they did it again, and again, and again. It was the perfect beginning to a wonderful week by the sea.

Sweet Family Moments

There were so many amazing little moments on our trip. We're a small, young family, but we have so much love for each other.

One of Riley's favorite things to say is "We're a fam-a-wee. You, me, Daddy and Cam-men. We so wubs each udder. We's gonna be together foreber."

These photos are a testament to these words that are straight from her heart.

 

 

 

Writing in the sand

I've seen a lot of neat ideas on Pinterest and the blog world for taking an annual photo of your kiddos. Some people document pumpkin patch trips every year, or birthday shots, and a lot of people start keeping track from the first day of their child's formal schooling.

I'm a beach lover and I always have been so I decided to start taking a beach photo by their names in the sand and of their growing footprints each year. I did it last year in OBX, we captured them on the beautiful Kailua beach in Hawaii this spring and we managed to get some pretty cute shots in Corolla.

Riley's sweet footprint

Little man's growing stomper.

Our adorable big boy!

Our beautiful little girl.

Surf's Up!

Riley never ceases to amaze me. She's so full of life and up until now she has lived her life mostly fear free. Save a spider or two.

Last year she boogie boarded for the first time on the small breaking waves right by the shore. This year she begged TG to "takes me out deeeeep". The words "out deep" already gave me the heebs. But I got over it because they were riding tandem. The key part of that statement being "they were riding tandem".

Then TG discovered she could catch a better wave not only without him, but with him giving her a big push. Be still the heart of a Mama, but here's the thing.

She loved it.

 I mean really loved it.

Even when she whitewashed...

She hopped up, soaking wet, but ready to go again.

Surf's up, bow down, she's the queen of the waves.

Listen up, if you're the nervous mother type you might not want to read this next part because we might have given in and let little man take some rides.  We started slow because he's our baby of course, but he wasn't having any of that.  That's not his happy face.

He wanted the same big surf that his sister was riding.

So TG obliged and they headed out to sea.

Now that's a happy face.  The two of them make my heart swell.

It's a little hard to imagine what their sweet surfin' faces will look like in another year or how much more daring they will become.  But I can't wait to make more surfing memories with them.

  

Camden Loves The Outer Banks

Enjoying a treat and a break from the sun.

Hanging with Daddy and having some fun.

Running the beach, happy as can be.

Rocking a mohawk by the sea.

Mini Golf

The kids are still kind of young for most beach excursions, but one evening we loaded them up and headed to the only mini golf place in Corolla.

 Camden quickly claimed my club and ball for himself.

TG helped Riley with her swing. Judging from this shot I'd say she's a natural.

Hooray!  Hole in one...sort of. :)

Cam didn't quite get the game, but he had a great time chasing the ball and throwing it off the course.

It was pretty hot out there so Gigi treated us to some delicious homemade ice cream when we were done.