Hatteras Island-2012

We traveled to the Outer Banks at the end of July with Andrew's mom, Diann. The kids had a wonderful time at the beach. Liam learned to jump waves, Colin and Eva body surfed, Andrew swam in the ocean, and Adria and I worked on our tans. We stayed in Salvo, south of Nags Head. The area isn't as built up and touristy. Not a chain restaurant in site! I would love to live closer to the beach and would love to go back with the kids. Now with friends in North Carolina that might be possible.

Sand dune before the beach

Liam on one of his many treks between the surf and the umbrella

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Apple Ugly from the Orange Blossom Bakery

Eva wasn't so sure about the crab legs!

We were lucky it only stormed one full day. Adria and Colin still enjoyed the beach.

My handsome boys.

Beautiful Coquina clam shells that look like butterfly wings. Some of the many we brought back.

One day a convention of ghost crabs visited us on the beach. They would pop up out of the sand, head to the surf for a bit, and then scurry back to their homes. I enjoyed following them to capture pictures.

One of my favorite pictures of Andrew. He enjoyed swimming to the sandbar and jumping waves.

Eva, the beach bum

Summer 2012- Oklahoma

Chokma! We just returned from ten days in Oklahoma visiting with family and friends. This was one of the more dramatic trips we have taken. My mom broke her arm at work the week before we came. Having the epicenter of our familial craziness out of commission was an unexpected and unwelcome event. Added to that, my allergies played tricks on me and I came home with an earache. Eva was semi-electrocuted(the driver of the four-wheeler she was on backed into an electric fence!) and hit in the eye with a sparkler. Thankfully, no lasting injuries there, just awesome stories to tell. Colin hurt his wrist playing basketball and burned a couple of fingers. Adria, Liam and Andrew were injury free, but surely tired of the grumpy wounded.

We did have some great times. We were able to visit with Grandpa Wayne, Grandma Clarice and Aunt LeeAnn. Liam caught a couple of fish with Grandpa Keel. Aunt April supplied us with amazing cupcakes. We visited the Chickasaw Cultural Center and would highly encourage anyone and everyone visiting this amazing place. Came away proud of my heritage and grateful my kids were able to see it. At the same time I visited with a cousin I haven't seen in a long time and share memories of a departed cousin.

And then there are all of the kid's cousins on my side of the family. It was great to have them all together. My sisters and brother sure have good looking kids!

Long and Winding Year

The past school year has been an exercise in change. Having one of your children leave the home, creates an empty space. Adria has had a great year at Dartmouth, but we have missed her. The dynamics of the house, patterns of conversations, the flow of events have been altered. Eva and I are the only girls. Colin is the oldest. One of my best friends has moved. We text or phone Adria daily and Skype once a week, but it doesn't make up for having her here. We love that she is at Dartmouth and having amazing experience. It has just taken us a while to find our rhythm without her.