Ahh, Vacation

     Ahh, vacation. Just what we needed. We spent a week at Emerald, Isle beach in NC.  We stayed in a condo complex only just a short walk from the beach and right next door to the pool. With two small kids it was so nice  to be close to both the pool and the beach.
     The weather was great, warm and sunny the whole week. The kids spent at least half the day in the water. We all built sand castles, hunted for shells and waded in the warm water. We also got to see Carl's family as they live about 40 minutes from the beach.
     On Wednesday we took the kids to the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium. North Carolina has 3 state aquariums and we've been to two. I highly recommend them. We spent half the day at Pine Knoll Shores. The kids got to touch sting rays, horseshoe crabs, turtles and starfish. One of the shows featured a question answer session with a diver as he was in the giant floor to ceiling tank with a sunken ship replica and tons of giant fish including sharks. Grace got to ask a question about sharks to the diver in the tank.
     One of the great things about NC is the sea food. We ate at a place called the Crab Shack. The seafood came right off the boats that were docked behind the restaurant. Marshall is going to be the kid in the family that hates seafood. He would only eat french fries.
     On Thursday Grandma and Grandpa took the kids swimming at Aunt Becky's house which gave Carl and I the day together. We spent some time at the beach and then had relaxing time back at the condo. Later, Carl's family stopped at one of the many fish mongers and bought fresh shrimp, scallops and grouper. We had a giant seafood fest (don't worry, Marshall had Chef Boyardee and was very happy.)
    There were other things to do but Carl and I observed that the kids were perfectly happy digging in the sand or swimming in the pool. One of the nice things about have a 2 and six year old is it doesn't take much to keep them occupied and happy.

Grace used this sifter to look for small shells in the surf

Giant turtle outside of the aquarium

Don't worry, we didn't really get eaten by this shark.

Fishing boats behind the restaurant

Carl's parents got the kids a really cool sandcastle building set.

Marshall's got surprised by a wave.

    After putting the kids to bed Carl and I would sit in the rocking chairs on the balcony and listen to the waves. I never got tired of that. Coastal, NC has always been one of my favorite places.