Tag Archives: ocean isle

August 16, 2015 – Vacation!

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We had a lovely vacation this summer with my family at our traditional stomping grounds in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina.  The weather was nice and sunny every day except for one afternoon when it stormed. It was perfect weather for the beach where we spent several hours each day in the water, playing in the sand, and having picnic lunches. Once we arrived at the beach Finn rarely sat down. He constantly ran back and forth from the water to our sand play area with buckets of water, which he dumped immediately and then ran back for more. He love it.  He is at a great age for playing at the beach. He went out in the water with daddy, and Grandpa and Grandma many times (despite my worry of sharks!). He really wanted to let go and be the first to catch each wave. He kept telling Papa and daddy to go out further!

Here is the beginning of our trip. We hit the road by 7:30 am – I was impressed we met our goal departure time 🙂  Finn is all cozy in his pj’s with his fuzzy blanket and animals, and of course his sunglasses.  Our first stop: Tim Horton’s, for some doe doe’s, of course!IMG_20150807_073936502

Guess who we ran in to at our first pit-stop at the Tamarack exit in Beckley, WV! I had missed a text message that they were going to be stopping there and we were getting ready to leave when Kevin spotted mom and dad walking nearby in the parking lot!?IMG_20150807_113547077_HDR

Our first night we spent in Durham and ventured out for some ice cream after dinner. (top photo compliments of Amy!). 000025450022IMG_20150807_194228815_HDR IMG_20150807_194633016 IMG_20150807_194809228_HDR
As tradition has it, we stopped for lunch at Sharky’s once we arrived in Ocean Isle Beach. It was perfect timing and we enjoyed a yummy pizza, sweet potato fries, and chicken!  While we were waiting to check in at our house we enjoyed some time outside on the deck. IMG_20150808_134326407 IMG_20150808_143154117_HDR

Once we arrived at the house it was full on play mode followed by an evening trip to the water after dinner. It was a beautiful sunset that evening. And the days that followed were pretty much wake up, eat, beach, eat, nap, eat, sleep, repeat!IMG_20150808_152654 IMG_20150808_172233292 DSC_0001 DSC_0003 DSC_0005 DSC_0008 DSC_0011 DSC_0012 DSC_0015 DSC_0018 DSC_0021 DSC_0023 DSC_0026 DSC_0027 DSC_0028 DSC_0030 DSC_0032 DSC_0034 DSC_0038 DSC_0039 DSC_0040 DSC_0042 DSC_0047 DSC_0053 DSC_0059 DSC_0063 DSC_0069 DSC_0077

Cousins in matching new vacation pajamas!

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Daddy and Finn are about to get a big splash!

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Dad took a photo of me,
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Trying to take a photo of them doing this:

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But they were moving a bit too fast for my phone/camera…..so here is a better look:


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Finn and RoRo spent lots of time sharing the chairs.

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Special beach treat!IMG_20150813_120143052 IMG_20150813_120328218_HDR IMG_20150813_122021398

This is what Finn looks like after a day at the beach 🙂

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And if you can’t tell by the smirk on his face, this is him pretending to sleep. He’s snoring too. IMG_20150813_144043586 We had a nice family dinner overlooking the water. We were able to watch the sun set and capture a family selfie. IMG_20150813_194941474_HDR IMG_20150813_195053384 IMG_20150814_094616008_HDR DSC_0292 DSC_0293

Graham was posing with a fabulous smile, asking me to take his photo in these! Such a handsome boy. DSC_0295 DSC_0297 DSC_0300

G and Finn having some fun chats.
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Dad took these next two – good ones!DSC_0309 DSC_0311

Piggy back rides on Grandma!DSC_0314 DSC_0315

Grandma and Grandpa spent lots of time on the floor building really cool trucks, cars, towers and such with the new magnetic set they brought for the kiddos. DSC_0322

It’s always fun to play with the couch pillows…..where’s Grandpa?IMG_20150814_102651070 IMG_20150814_102757103 IMG_20150814_124723337 IMG_20150814_124751180

Hitting the big waves with Grandma and Grandpa!IMG_20150814_125503515

Heading out with Papa and Daddy. IMG_20150814_142922465

Snack time: rainbow goldfish and drinks! Uncle Andy had them each sit on a pillow 🙂

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And this photo is right before we departed for home, at about 6:45 in the morning on Saturday!IMG_20150815_063620553

Can anyone find Finn? His keepsake this year was a large stuffed turtle – you know, it was the year of the turtle with the ride and all. IMG_20150815_075038883_HDR

And here are many lovely family photos that Amy took, not that you couldn’t have sensed the focus and quality is far better than mine – but wanted to give credit where credit is due! Check out the crazy reflections in the sand and water!000025480001 000025480006 000025480008 000025550014 000025540011 000025460006 000025460022000025460023000025550004 000025550002Amy treated us to another family photo session on the beach this year. We are so fortunate to have her share her gift of photography with our family. When we arrived at the parking lot to head out to the beach we realized there were turtles to see! Amy was able to capture that too 🙂 There are several awesome photos – I can’t wait to get some prints!01_Armstrong_OIB 02_Armstrong_OIB 03_Armstrong_OIB 04_Armstrong_OIB 05_Armstrong_OIB 06_Armstrong_OIB 07_Armstrong_OIB 08_Armstrong_OIB 09_Armstrong_OIB 10_Armstrong_OIB 11_Armstrong_OIB 12_Armstrong_OIB 13_Armstrong_OIB 14_Armstrong_OIB 15_Armstrong_OIB 16_Armstrong_OIB 17_Armstrong_OIB 18_Armstrong_OIB 19_Armstrong_OIB 20_Armstrong_OIB 21_Armstrong_OIB 22_Armstrong_OIB 23_Armstrong_OIB 24_Armstrong_OIB 25_Armstrong_OIB 26_Armstrong_OIB 27_Armstrong_OIB

August 9, 2014

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DSC_0915Yep, we did a whole lot of that – relaxing! Our beach vacation began with a few days of rain, lots and lots of rain, which led to lots of time indoors enjoying a slow pace. Grandma and Grandpa read Finn plenty of books and built all kinds of things out of the super cool magnets. Griffin absolutely loved being around his cousins. He watched everything they did and tried to do the same. He loves to say “Roro” and he and Graham often enjoyed playing and dancing in the morning in their pajamas. Did I mention all that rain makes for good snacking and napping too?DSC_0838 DSC_0840 DSC_0836 DSC_0835 DSC_0831 DSC_0778 DSC_0782DSC_0797DSC_1003 DSC_1000 DSC_0928DSC_1007

Finn loved the ocean.  The sand and “wa wa” kept him busy the entire time. He never sat down. He enjoyed catching the waves and heading out into the deeper waters with daddy. Destroying sand castles was also quite a bit of fun. Even on the rainy days we were able to head to the beach in the evening for a quick trip.  DSC_0814 DSC_0815 DSC_0827DSC_0843 DSC_0950 DSC_0947 DSC_0844 DSC_0845 DSC_0846 DSC_0848 DSC_0850 DSC_0854 DSC_0857 DSC_0860 DSC_0862 DSC_0872 DSC_0877 DSC_0892 DSC_0896 DSC_0900 DSC_0902 DSC_0910 DSC_0934 DSC_0936 DSC_0940 DSC_0954 DSC_0955 DSC_0958 DSC_0964 DSC_0966 DSC_0967 DSC_0974 DSC_0981 DSC_0986 DSC_0994We did fit in a professional family photo session – though the only pic I have to share for now is prior to heading out when I was mobbed by the kiddos 🙂 And we had a family dinner out one evening at the Isles, where Kevin and I got engaged two years ago!IMG_0593DSC_0801 One rainy afternoon we headed for a bit of shopping followed by a trip to the Creamery for a sweet treat. A trick I learned is to get a cup of ice cream for Finn with a waffle cone “on the side”. Then I scoop a little ice cream onto the edge of the cone and give it to him to enjoy.  Makes for less of a mess and he loves to have the cone to hold!DSC_0783 DSC_0787 DSC_0790 DSC_0793 DSC_0795We had another fabulous family vacation in Ocean Isle and treasure the time we all were able to spend together <3. DSC_0924 DSC_0921 IMG_20140809_181124256

And here are a few shots Amy forwarded to me from our week in OIB!000023640008 000023670018 000023670003 000023620010 000023620015 000023680005 000023660014 000023660015 000023660027

Thankfully Debbie house-sat and dog-sat for us while we were gone. Unfortunately, Cameron became a bit ill (not sure why) and had bowel issues for a few days. Fortunately our vet was able to squeeze her in and Brett and Jim were able to take her there – were are grateful for that! She’s been on some meds and is much better now, but unfortunately it was a rough couple of days for Debbie 🙁 She is quite a trooper!!

Renovation update:  no pics this week! While I don’t have any new pictures to post we’ve made headway on picking out some details for items including the faucets. Kevin has done a lot of back and forth with the counter top installer so that will move forward quickly.  Brett completed the flooring in the dining room and front foyer. Only part of the office and the landing of the back stairs remain! And Jim continues to work on all kinds of details with the electrical and other miscellaneous items that pop up!