And our Summer begins!

The weekend immediately following the end of school, we drove down to Atlantic Beach with friends of ours. Her parents own a house just off the beach and we were able to use it to get away for a long weekend! The kids had a great time jumping waves and digging in the sand. Riley still wasn't walking at this trip which made the sand more challenging but she still had a great time!

These 2 love each other so much!!

Bennett had to join in on the morning snuggles!

Riley would crawl up in this seat, pat the one beside her, and say "Be-it, Be-it" (Bennett, Bennett)

This child wants to be as big as her siblings. Sometimes that includes wearing their stuff, even if that means it makes it harder to eat your snack!

I think the baby pool on the back deck was their favorite thing!

Goofy girl!

This boy...I have no idea what he is pouting about and there's a good chance he doesn't know either!

All smiles now...and curls...oh those curls!!

All my babies!!

Digging in the sand with sissy!

When did she get this big?!?!

She slowed down long enough to snag a picture with he momma!

We went into Morehead city Saturday evening to eat dinner and walk on the boardwalk. It was the last weekend of the Big Rock fishing tournament, so we were hoping to see some big fish being weighed...that didn't happen.

Chase and Bennett in front of the Big Rock store

Riley looks lost in thought...

After pizza, we went to get ice cream and enjoy the nice weather. 

The only picture of all 4 of us. (taken by Emory, she did pretty well)

Two peas in a pod these two!!!

Todd loves him some Riley snuggles!!

The Sunday that we left we went to the Pine Knolls Aquarium just down the road. Now it's no Georgia Aquarium but we had a great time and the kids really enjoyed the sea turtle lab at the end.

The big tanks always capture their attention!

Sea turtle lab!! You picked out a turtle, laid him on the table and the computer would scan him and tell you the diagnosis. The next tables were treatment and rehabilitation, before releasing them back into the ocean. Very cool!

Dr. Gavin treating his sea turtle. I believe his was hit by a boat. Poor turtle.

Emory waiting on her diagnosis.

Bennett treating his for getting too cold.

Happy camper hanging out in the stroller. This didn't last long and she was ready to get out and check everything out herself!

Releasing it back into the ocean

Posing with their turtles!

More releasing...

Riley was over it at this point.

Only picture we got of all 4 up close...and this is as good as it gets!

Todd and Kelly have become great friends. While Todd and Chase work together and see each other on a regular basis, we aren't able to get together as often as we would like. We hope fore many more trips like this in the future!