The Beach!

The other week we were given the opportunity to visit Ocean Isle Beach for free through a gracious offer from my (Sara) childhood neighbor, Barbara (Bar-Bar!). Along with Gigi cooking, Ru reading, and Avery being there.. you couldn't have convinced Anna to be anywhere else in the world. Fortunately, Mark also was able to join us for the weekend part of our adventure, and Robert, Laura, and Carter were able to stay for a long weekend. We lucked up with the weather (being that it was mid-October) and ended up with only two cold mornings of the whole time we were there. The girls were in their bathing suits all but one day of the trip and even got in the water! We also enjoyed the local annual Oyster Festival which had all sorts of things for kids, vendors, and of course fried foods.

Bouncy house fun at the festival!

This girl is getting so much more independent!

Home depot had a free build and grow. Avery was super excited for the hammer... Anna just wanted the free lollipop.

Building birdhouses! The girls even got to paint them- Avery said they were "elegant, a fancy word for fancy". We also read Fancy Nancy a lot.

Who are the kids here?

Unprompted hand holding is the best.

Forced and posed snuggles are pretty good too...

These girls.

Working on her modeling career. Or getting ridiculously sandy.

Should have taken a video. Anna was dancing on Ru's shoulders!

Chasing birds with Uncle Rob! I mean, this was her main objective coming to the beach...

Beachy photos.

She is really into saying "Cheeeeeese" for photos. Which means most photos are catching her mid "cheese" or after....

Love catching these girls being sweet. Avery was reading Anna a story. Also, love that Avery can almost read!

Why is it so hard to smile and have your eyes open at the same time?

And look at the camera?

Toughest trike gang in OIB!

These two are the best.