Outer Banks 2010

We returned to the Outer Banks this year (finally), with four more kids. Micah, Peyton, and Daniel all got a taste of the beach (literally). We had sunshine all week, although Hurricane Igor made the surf too rough to swim in until Thursday. Actually we cheated and did some short range boogie boarding. On Thursday, though it really calmed down and yet the were huge waves that made the body boarding incredible. Jordan and Anika got the longest rides I've ever seen anyone get, as there seemed to be a second and third push after the first push died out a little. There was even some fun as the waves returned to sea and crashed into the incoming ones. The waves were the biggest I've ever seen with the water at only our knees, so we felt really safe but had many great rides all the way into the beach. On Friday we took surfing lessons from John from Tennessee from the Cavalier surf shop. Of course Jordan got two good rides in standing up! Dad, not so good. The "inner Ninja" pop up move is a little tough for an old out of shape father of six. Jordan is hooked and wants to move to Cali. Mom says no.

We also went to the aquarium which is surprisingly nice, especially for the little ones.The kids really enjoyed the sharks, stingrays, turtles and alligators, especially at feeding time.

Me and Jordan watched the sunrise one morning, which was pretty cool.

Anika got sick one day, which kinda bummed her out, and Mom spent a lot of time nursing Ellery, but all in all it was a great vacation. Anika didn't get to see the Dolphins this year because it was just so hard to leave the beach for the 1pm cruise, so instead we went to Assateague island. We stayed at the Chincoteague Inn, and came very close to leaving due to the disgusting carpeting.  We had a very good day though and Anika got to see a foal.