Beach Trip, Update 1: Tidal Pools!

We're really lucky in coming to Sunset Beach. As the tide goes out, we get several large tidal pools where the kids can play without relative danger. The deepest we've seen comes up to Jack's chest.

After about 10 minutes, Jack is all over the place.

Jack and cousin Meredith are saying, "You go first...I dare you..."

Jack gets attacked by a Poppy Shark. They are noted for horrible looking hats and an affinity for hugging small grandchildren.

45 minutes later, still going strong!

Beach Trip--Through Tuesday!

Other than being a bit wound up from sleeping in a new place, Jack is loving the beach. So much that he's up every morning at 6 AM. I think most parents have had one of those episodes where they "sense a presence" and wake up to find their kid right in their face.

Armin has had that Monday and Tuesday.

Anyway, here are some pics.

So much sand to eat...so little time.

Jack goes running to Grammy.

Jack and Cousins Evan and Meredith were fascinated by a gigantic hole in the sand. They spent 20 minutes playing in it.

Poppy and Armin are playing Ladderball...
which is "Horseshoes for people too stupid to understand it."

Have you ever seen smiles like this?

Beach Trip--enroute phase!

We're currently down at Sunset Beach, NC, with Grammy, Poppy, Aunt Catherine, and cousins Evan and Meredith.

We decided to break up the trip into two segments, primarily because Armin can't stand to drive for 8 hours anymore. So we stayed overnight in Cary, NC (around Raleigh) and had a chance to visit with Armin's friends Ann and JC Bagley. Armin knew Ann in college, although she went to Wake Forest. It's a long story....

Anyhow, it was great to see them. They have 3 beautiful girls [extreme apologies for not taking pictures]: Elise, Nina, and Addison. Elise and Nina did a WONDERFUL job of keeping Jack entertained and busy, both at dinner and when we went to the park afterwards.

Like most visits, too short.

The next day, we stopped in Wallace, NC (about 40 minutes north of Wilmington) to visit with Mary and Pat McGowen. Mary and Pat were our neighbors in Norfolk, AND they have the distinction of being responsible for Kelly and Armin meeting. They are doing well, and seem to be loving life. Here's Kelly with Mary and Pat:


After stopping in for lunch, we proceeded to Sunset Beach, and here we are! More pics to follow...we're headed out for the morning.