I'm not even going to talk about how COLD it has gotten the last few days here. Just to say, thank goodness the furnace is currently being serviced and heating oil set to arrive today.
To give me the illusion of heat, I'm finally posting photos of our trip to the Outer Banks last month.
It was warm. It was sunny. It was a lovely, lovely week.
On the way we stopped by the Aquarium to say hey to the gators and other slimy creatures,
watch the sharks being fed,
practice a little lesson on sea turtle rescue,
check out the gift shop (as a companion piece to the Panda Hat from Beijing? What do you think? Too much?)
dig for some shark's teeth,
and just hang out in the sunshine.
Then we were off to meet up with T's family at our oceanside house with a boardwalk to a gazebo (or as the oratorically gifted Uncle D called it "the pagoda") right to the beach.
Score.
Much sand was moved, many, many waves battled and boogie boarded. Books were read. Lemon-aide consumed. Gossip exchanged.
Plus, there was this cuteness to marvel over - our (currently) littlest nephew/cousin who was just a wee babe last time we saw him.
When the beach got tiresome, we retired to our pool.
Or hung out in the house enjoying family time.
Part of Noodle's educational activities - helping Auntie J with the NYT Sunday crossword. (And yes, that is one of Oma's Cinnamon Rolls with pecans on her plate - the food? was exquisite as always - this is a family that loves to cook).
The Atlantic was glorious.
The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival fell on Monday night. Goose and I made mooncakes for all and glow sticks were employed.
And the moon rose full and bright over the ocean before disappearing behind some clouds.
More beach days,
And family nights.
Oma's Ice Cream.
Auntie J's Shrimp Feast.
Danger Boy - The oldest nephew. 8 months younger than Goose and totally on the job keeping us from calamity.
A family stroll thorough the evening light,
Cousins.
Even Opa came along, on his zippy little go-go cart.
Ably assisted by grandchildren, of course.
And this is my favorite photo of my in-laws. Go-go cart on the sand. Got a little stuck? Who would have guessed? But the W family is on the job !
And we're on our way back to the house.
In time to watch another moonrise from the Pagoda.
We tried to visit the Lighthouse (actually leaving the house for something other than grocery store runs? What?!! Crazy), but it was closed. Little Boy was quite annoyed making a fine cousin photo op.
Noodle and the Goose mobile? Oh my.
The rest of the family had to leave early on Friday morning and with them went the perfect beach weather. Storms rolled in across the ocean, the temps fell and we spent most of the day snuggled in the house, watching.
Except for a jaunt to the lighthouse (stormy windy day? perfect to climb the light house).
Way up to the top!!!
A tad gusty up there.
Anon, we too have to make the long trek home again. Good thing we had our in-car entertainment system to keep the little ones occupied.
(This photo? Could be entitled, "how I spent most of my childhood - without the seat belt".)
