Family Vacation
We are incredibly blessed to be able to travel down to New Bern, North Carolina and vacation with Jon's parents. This year was an extra special year as Opa was finishing his last few weeks of sabbatical and the house was full with family including Nathaniel and Heather and Miles, Gillian, Hilary. Great Uncle Andrew, Jeckin, Judah, & Fania were also in town visiting. FULL HOUSE!
Richmond- We traveled down after Jon's last day of camp and began our vacation in Richmond visiting Andrew & Kristen for two days. We loved seeing their new house and hanging out with them. Ruthie warmed up quickly and fell in love with Uncle Andrew's drums!
Of course, while visiting, we had to pull out the cards and play some Old 13 after the kiddos went to bed! Classic!!
New Bern- We then traveled down to New Bern, NC to start the 2nd part of our vacation. When we arrived, we had the house to ourselves. We had a few days of catching up on some rest and visiting with Gaga and Opa before the rest of the family joined us. Once everyone arrived, we had what Ruthie referred to as a Slumber Party as the four of us shared a room. I knew no matter what, it would work out just fine, but my kids blew my expectations out of the water!! Ruthie slept great even when Brayden woke up to eat. I couldn't have planned it to go any better! Ruthie slept in her little cot, Brayden in his pack-n-play, and Jon and I in the double bed! Wow! Let me just take this time to say, MY KIDS ROCK!!!! This also began the end to Ruthie's naps! I don't even think we were home during nap-time the entire time the entire family was visiting, but even if we were, I think Ruthie would have had a hard time settling down enough to fall asleep!
Day 1- The first day we made it a beach day! We were all so excited to get Miles and Ruthie to the beach and watch them play in the water and sand. (if you remember back to Thanksgiving, the kids LOVED the beach and came home soaked after playing in freezing cold water) To all of our surprise, Miles was terrified of the sand, wouldn't touch it and Ruthie was terrified of the water! Man! We had a great time hanging out under the big tent, building sand castles, looking for seashells, and playing in the water. By the time we all got home, we were exhausted. Let's just say, we all got more sun then we anticipated. (Even Brayden who stayed under the tent)
(Brayden's 1st Trip to the ocean)
Day 2- After an exhausting day at the beach, we decided to take it easy on Day #2. Some of us went downtown New Bern to the Fire Station Museum. Miles and Ruthie loved looking at all the firetrucks. Afterward, we took a walk downtown stopping at the Birth Place of Pepsi where Ruthie and Miles tried their first sips of Pepsi. Miles LOVED it- Ruthie, not so much. We then went to Cow Cafe for lunch. Ruthie remembered instantly about the playroom in the back, but Miles didn't remember until Ruthie ran back after lunch. While the kiddos played, the adults enjoyed some very yummy icecream. The afternoon, some of us went to the pool and then shared a relaxing evening at home.
Fire House Museum
Fire House Museum
Birth Place of Pepsi
Cow Cafe
(Enjoying a nice lunch at Cow Cafe)
(Best Icecream in town!)
Relaxing Evening... well, not for the kiddos
Day 3- This was a day trip to Beaufort, a beautiful town along the water. Our plan was to maybe take a boat ride and walk around the town enjoying the little shops. It was a beautiful HOT day and so it didn't take us long to decide that after lunch at the Dock House to realize we were not going to want to stay out in the sun long... so instead, after some shopping we went to the Aquarium! I've wanted to go to the aquarium since my 1st time in New Bern, NC- so I was very excited. It was a great time had by all exploring all the beautiful water creatures! Ruthie and I even touched a Sting Ray! Much fun!
Beaufort-
(arrived the day before the Pirate Invasion)
(Mommy & Ruthie)
(Ruthie & Auntie H at the Dock House)
(Some of the family @ the Dock House)
(Showing off the water)
Aquarium-
(The Stubes)
(Brayden)
Day 4- we decided to try again at the beach. Miles got some awesome beach shoes that had him running around the sand without a care in the world. Ruthie got close to the water, but decided to leave the swimming up to mommy and daddy. That evening, we celebrated Gillian's birthday.
(Beach Babes)
(Cousins)
Everyone left the following morning and we got ready for my parents visit. It was so nice for them to stop by and say a quick hello, eat some yummy food (and drop off the portable dvd player I had ordered specifically for this trip) We had a pretty laid back day after my parents left. Ruthie took her 2nd nap on vacation as did her momma and Gaga. For dinner, we went to a fabulous pizza restaurant that left us all full but still hungry enough for cookies when we got home!
More to come as we finish our fabulous vacation ... we'll break up the post so that it's not any longer than it already is long ... Thanks for reading!
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