Pine Knoll Shores Beach Trip 2012...

The week of May 26 - June 2, 2012 we went on our annual beach trip with our friends, the Stepp's.  This year we tried a new beach, Pine Knoll Shores, and a new beach house.  We also tried going at the beginning of the summer instead of the end.  We had beautiful weather in spite of a tropical depression brewing off the coast.  We did get one full day of rain due to tropical depression, Beryl, but the rest of the week we had great weather.  Our trip started off in a very negative way, our transmission blew on our van, and we went through quite a bit that day.  You can read all about it on Tony's blog at www.marathonoflearning.blogspot.com he summarizes the whole adventure very well.  It was quite a blessing our transmission blew and will provide great stories for the future.  We have been going to the beach with the Stepp's for 10 years and I think this beach trip was by far the best.  I know we will talk and laugh about this year and the memories we made for the rest of our lives.  Here are many photos to capture our week... 

 The start of our trip, although it was not a great start, it had a wonderful ending.

 We found two washed up tires while at the beach and we said this must be a sign from God that we need a new car. :)  Again, you will have to read Tony's blog to get the full scoop.

 Our beach house with the tire - I thought this was an appropriate picture to capture the theme of the week.

 This was the beautiful view Regan and I had one day while running.

 Another view looking in the other direction.

 I love this photo eventhough the lens on Lori's camera was fogging up.

 Another great shot, too bad the lens was fogging up.

 Our house had a hot tub and we enjoyed this very much!

 This is the second washed up tire of the week.

Regan and Daddy visited Fort Macon while on their lunch date.

 Reece collecting shells...

 Our surfer girl...

Jump for joy - it is beach pictures day! :)

 This was Tony's favorite reading spot in the house.

 The house had a game room and 3 bedrooms downstairs.  So, we put all the kids downstairs and we did not see them much.  They had a blast.

 Regan loved sharing a room with her friend, Hannah this year. 

 This is the day Tropical Storm Beryl came through.  It gave us a very lazy day indoors.

 Reece on her date with daddy.  They went to a local drive in called, Big Live Oaks Drive In.  There was no seating so they got their food and then found a parking lot overlooking the ocean where they enjoyed lunch in the back of the truck.  Reece did not finish her fries so Tony said he would wrap them up and she could have them later.  Reece replied, "Ok, I was going to suggest that but did not think it would be food safe." 

 Riley enjoyed Buffalo Wings from Big Live Oaks Drive In on her lunch date with daddy. 

 Tony took this photo from our deck - looks like a postcard!

 Hannah and Regan enjoyed collecting shells together.

 There was a TON of shells. 

 A beautiful evening....

 Riley and Daddy enjoyed playing Frisbee.  Riley is very good at it.

 Tony and I enjoyed a date night together in Beaufort.

 We relaxed on a dock while watching the sunset in Beaufort.

 And here is the happy ending to our beach trip....We did not want to leave the beach but at least we got to leave in a new van.

Our new van!!!

Riley's End of Year Party....

On Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Riley had her End of Year Party for 2nd grade.  Her party was the same day as Reece's party so we went straight from Reece's school to Riley's.  It was a very busy day.  We enjoyed hotdogs for lunch, field day type games, and then they played with a water balloon launcher.  That was the hit of the party!  

 Riley playing with her friends.

 Riley and her sweet friend, McKenzie, doing a secret handshake.

 Balloon Toss Game...

 Riley and her friend, Leah, doing the balloon launcher.

This is Reece's friend, Ben, they were in Kindergarten together and they both have siblings in second grade at Trinity.  They also got into the same school next year, but unfortunately Ben is a little younger so his parents are having him repeat Kindergarten.  So, they won't be in the same grade but hopefully they will still see each other at their new school next year.  They enjoy playing with each other.

Riley saying "goodbye" to her 2nd grade teachers, Mrs. Bohn and Mrs. Norfleet.  They are wonderful teachers and Riley had a great year!

Reece's Last Day of Kindergarten...

On May 23, 2012, Reece had her final day of Kindergarten.  She had a great year and made a lot of new friends.  The last day of school was full of pirate fun.  They got to dress up as pirates, go on a treasure hunt, eat pirate snacks, make pirate crafts and enjoyed learning about pirates.  I was one of the parents in charge of the pirate party so I got to join in the fun too.  

Our little pirate...

All the girl pirates...

Mrs. Eva teaching the kids about pirates.

 The kids went on a treasure hunt throughout the school.  They had so much fun going from room to room finding clues. 

 Reece found this clue which told them to go to the principal's office.

 The pirates attacked Mrs. Grubbs while she was on the phone - looking for the next clue. 

 Here is the "KinderGarden" they planted this Spring.  It just so happens this is where the treasure box was found.

 The class of pirates posing with the treasure box.

 Mrs. Eva pretending she can't get the treasure open.

 Reece was a little disappointed to find fake money in her coin bag.  I think she was hoping for real coins or chocolate coins. :)

 One of the parents made these adorable pirate cupcakes.

 Reece making her floating pirate ship craft.

 Reece and her friend, Christina, enjoying their last time on the playground.

Reece and Annabeth pretending to be "mean" pirates.