Three months in five minutes...

Two beach trips, three mountain trips, halloween, science fair, and lots of days kicking around home.  Life has been full and wonderful.  Full of memories and growing boys.

The first beach trip was back in September.  We camped on the Outer Banks for a night when headed to cousin Jonah's 1st birthday party.  We had a blast both on the beach and at Jockey's Ridge.  The boys were exhausted yet determined to hike to the top of not one but two huge sand dunes where folks were hang gliding.

I gave a talk in Front Royal VA one Saturday and we decided to make use of a paid-for hotel room and all go up.  While I as at a meeting, Jason took the boys to some caverns that they really enjoyed.

Our second beach trip was our annual trip to Emerald Isle in October.  Here are 7 of the 9 kids playing in a bank of sand created by a super high tide.  This was a well used spot for days, for digging, burying and excavating friends, jumping, pretending, cartwheeling, etc.

Unexpected waves of a rising tide brought many squeals and laughs.  There was a tropical storm off the coast that gave us huge waves for boogie boarding.  Our boys were intimidated, but the older kids ventured out enough to be safe and have a blast.

 Indoor card games are always a perfect way to relax.  Our boys are in love with the game Spot It!  And Thanks to being introduced to it on this trip.  If you have never heard of it, check it out.  It is great for ages 3 to adult despite the container saying ages 7 and up.  Heath gets right in there and plays well too.  We grown-ups love it too.

 Here is the whole clan (minus baby Katy).
Miss you guys!!!

 the kids....

 running....

Ah Halloween....The last pieces of candy were finally given away to students in my office today.  Granna and Grandad visited and we had lots of laughs and good times, including apple picking at Carter Mountain (no pics from that though).  No homemade costumes this year as they were pretty set on Batman and Robin.  I need to stress to them that we will not be buying costumes every year though....get creative mom, and plan WAY ahead.  The best part of this year was Jason letting them watch a couple of episodes from the classic Batman and Robin shows from the early 60s on YouTube before going out.  This transformed them into character for the night.  It was hilarious.  If you have not seen these old episodes, it is worth a quick watch.

The school science fair was also last month.  It is a very low key event where projects are expected to be child led and not too complicated.  Jason had the foresight to collect some sand of various sizes from the beach after the boys had observed this in Emerald Isle and collected shells on walks.  The night before the fair, we pulled these shell fragmants and sand out and seived them and talked more about how sand is simply broken down shells.  Alder then created this display.  Heath had to do one too once he saw how cool Alder's was.

Finally, we went to Douthat State Park with some friends for a long weekend and had a great time.  We stayed in a huge lodge (Creasey Lodge) that we recommend highly.  Lots of bunk rooms and a huge kitchen and fireplace room.  Loads of creeks, a lake and miles of hiking trails.  The weather was perfect for a November visit to the mountains.

We also went to the NC mountains for Thanksgiving and we will be posting about that at a later date.....we are truly grateful for all of these fun times, but sheeesh....we have been on the go a bit too much and we can honestly say that we are excited to spend the next month at home....simply being at home.

A random shot of the even more random table in the play room.  Yes, a deer scapula and jaw bone have made it into the pile of leggos.

And here are a few recent favorites.  Alder and Heath are champions at quickly rendering stories that include the most various assortment of characters.  Where else do you find knights, kittens, poison dart frogs and allosaurs clashing one minute, then playing family the next.