The Outer Banks, Post # 1

Our family recently traveled to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, more specifically Nags Head North, Carolina for a wedding on the beach and a family vacation all tied into one.  So much happened in the past week that I can't cram it all into one post so I will start from the beginning and I will see where it takes me.

Before we even left our house for the 16 hour drive down, these were the texts that I received from family members who were already at the beach house.

I thought that maybe Kenna was exaggerating about the mosquitoes, but once we got there and hardly pulled into the drive-way, little lone get out of the van, we were completely swarmed by thousands of blood sucking mosquitoes!  It was awful, like nothing I have ever experienced, we seriously thought these HUGE mosquitoes were going to pick up our van and fly away with it! All we could do is cover the kids and run inside!

No joke, this is what it was like!  I thought I was going to die.

It's a good thing that 5 hours into our drive down we stopped at a Home Depot and bought $65.00 worth of bug spray, it helped until 10:00am of the morning we arrived, then it was GONE (only lasted 3 hours.)

Soooo, we called the next group of people who were planning on staying at our beach house with us and told them to buy MORE bug spray before they got too close to the OBX (which was sold out).  They came with probably $200.00 worth of mosquito fog and OFF bug spray.

Did it help?  Find out tomorrow ;) hehe

Nick at 3.

Has blonde hair. Can hit a baseball further then I can. Is 35 pounds. Independent.Nickerbocker.Melts my heart when he says, "I miss you Mommy". Calm.Is not potty trained and could care less if he wears a dirty diaper all day long. Loves trains. Goes to 3 year old Pre-School. Had a Pirate Birthday Party in the OBX. Playful.Jumping off the diningroom table is a favorite past-time. Takes 3 hour naps still. Wakes up VERY early.Plays at the table instead of eating.Is 40 inches tall. Can't ride a bike yet.Giggly.Nickle-Pickle.Athletic.BIG belly laugh when Daddy tickles him.Points out every bus, train and plane.Tries really hard to run fast, but really he is not.Is big for his age.Loves his blankie.Holds on to Daddy's leg and says,"Miss you Daddy."Can't drink enough milk.Is left handed.Is very good at putting puzzles together.Gives Daddy thumbs ups.Picks out football jerseys to wear.Has blue eyes. Pretends he is a dog.loves to play with my iphone. easy going.Likes to eat Frank's Red Hot Sauce on his eggs in the morning.Is the most wonderful son a Mommy could ever have.

Nick, Daddy and I wish you a very happy 3rd Birthday, you are a great little boy and we can't imagine life without you!

Our butterfly took flight today.

For the past two weeks we have been raising 3 caterpillars, turned chrysalis' in our kitchen.  Today our first caterpillar, better known as "Sprakle" in our house hatched from her (I have been told it IS a HER.) warm and cozy sleeping bag.  It was the most exciting thing to happen in our house "EVER", announced Kate.  We let Sparkle's wings dry and let her practice a bit before taking her outside to be free.

 Nick didn't want to touch the butterfly, but he sure examined it!

Kate was curious at first, and wasn't sure about holding Sparkle, but...

...then she got brave and enjoyed every second of Sparkle hanging out on her.

Kate encouraged Sparkle to practice using her wings.

Beautiful!

After Sparkle's first flight she landed in a tree.

We have 2 more chyrsalis' to hatch soon and we can't wait!

(Thanks Susie for the caterpillars!)

Kate and Kindergarten

Today was Kate's first day of Kindergarten...

...and it went just perfectly!

I got this picture idea from pinterest.com, lets just hope I can keep it up each year!

Patty: Why do you have to go to kindergarten today?

Kate: Because I need to, First you have to go pre-school, then kindergarten, then 1^st grade, then 2^nd grade, then college, it’s just what you have to do.

Anxious and ready to head out the door.

Kate found her locker right away.

 Kate and her writing folder.

She enjoyed playing with the rice table the most.

Patty: What do you think you will do in Kindergarten?

Kate: I don’t know…play games, play hide-n-go-seek. But, I DON'T have to take naps!!!

Awwwww, Mommy and Me Pic!

Patty: Do you remember your teachers name?

Kate: Yea, Ms. Hunt.  Is she a Grandma, cuz she looks like a Grandma.

Ms. Hunt is older and very calming (perfect for Kate), speaks in a very soft voice and seems very organized (Perfect for Mama)!  I am excited for the year!

Papa Fox came for a Labor Day Weekend Visit!

We had a nice weekend with Papa Fox who was visiting us over the holiday weekend all the way from El Paso, Texas!  While he was here we thought we would take some family pictures, so we set up some hay bales in the backyard and snapped away!

Kate and Mike

Mike and the kids.

Aunt Maria, Papa Fox, and Mike

Kate, Maria, Papa Fox, Nick and Mike

Maria giving her Dad Bunny Ears, he had no idea!

Mike and his Dad.

Papa Fox and the Grandkids.

What a wonderful Fall Picture!

Kate, Aunt Maria, Papa Fox, Mike, Nick and Patty.