OBX

Butch, Lacey & I went to the Outer Banks, NC for vacation for a week! It was so great to have an entire week away. Last year we had a couple of long weekends visiting friends and family, but not a week long "vacation".

We met my good friend, Tonya, and her family (Todd, Elizabeth & Rhianna). Tonya & I have known each other for 13 years (hard to believe). They moved to SC - just outside of Charlotte, NC late last year and I was so excited to have her closer! They have 2 girls - ages 6 & 4.

Butch, Lacey & I arrived around 4:00, checked in, had dinner and relaxed. Tonya & family didn't get in until much later. They left their home around 1:20 and it's a 7+ hour drive. Plus, they stopped for dinner along the way.

The first full day we spent at the house. Tonya brought a couple of pools for the girls and we set them up on the deck, so they were able to play their while we were hanging out on the deck, or inside, or whatever. Tonya & I went grocery shopping, too. After dinner, we finally decided to walk to the beach! (Sad, I know....can't believe it took all day.)

The next day we ended up going to the Soundside beach, where the water is calmer and better for kids to play in. Lacey was bored with that after about 20-30 minutes. There was one more day that Butch & I tried the ocean beach with her, but it was so rough and she'd either get too brave with the water, or wander off. So, we gave up! But, she did get to explore a bit.

We didn't really get to spend lots of time with Tonya & Todd (and the girls) because of L's napping needs. ;-) We had usually done something and were back for her nap around the time they were heading out for the day. But it worked out fine since we had dinner together most nights and spent time hanging out after the girls went to bed.

Butch & I had a date night, too. We went out to dinner and drove around a bit -- and still ended up home before Lacey went to bed! We were so hungry that day that we left for dinner at 5:15!

Lacey was quite intriqued with the older girls. Liz was really good with her. Rhianna wasn't so sure. I think she was a bit jealous since she wasn't the youngest one around. I told Tonya that Lacey is like a cat --- going to the one person that doesn't really like her. She kept going up to Rhi.

Oh - one day we went to Kristin's beach house, too. She & her girlfriends happened to be there the same week as us, and they had a pool. So, the 3 of us drove to her house and swam/played for a little bit.

On the last day (Thursday), we drove to Roanoke Island to see the NC Aquarium. Lacey didn't have a ton of interest in it, but it was good to do something with Tonya & Todd, even though we weren't really "with them" -- since her girls were really into the aquarium.

It was amazing to me how easily Lacey adjusted to everything. She has been such a cautious, careful baby/toddler, but she just jumped into everything wonderfully. She was letting Todd & Tonya pick her up after 1 day.

After about 5 hours in the car on Friday, Lacey had some energy to burn up. But, she has slept so well every night. I think she was exhausted from all the fun.

I'd planned on adding a couple of pics here, but blogger is giving me a hard time! If I can make it work later, I'll do a separate post with pics. Lots of you have already seen the pictures anyway.