Part 4: Outer Banks Family Pictures and Randomn

Wayne, Kim, Alex, Elyse at beach house.  Ocean in background

Our week in the Outer Banks was wonderful and we know we will return!  Elyse seems to think she should have a "senior trip" there with her friends in a few years......we will see about that......:) The kids had a super time playing cards every night with their grandparents and relaxing in the pool.  We all loved the hot tub and wine that was consumed, as well as enjoying Connor's first trip to the Outer Banks.  We know there will be many more!

Thanks Mom and Dad!  We had a super time and will forever cherish the memories! 



Alex and his twin, Connor




Elyse and Alex on back deck overlooking pool




Connor and Graham




Elyse and Alex on boardwalk to beach




Alex, Connor, Graham and Elyse.



Graham and Elyse - silly!



The Johnson Family




Wayne and Kim



Parasailing Adventures - Couldn't Get Enough



Alex and Derek getting "wet" on drop down to toe touch in ocean!




Elyse, Kim, Sara preparing to get wet on toe touch



Alex and Derek

Alex and Papa launching off boat

Derek kayaking in the sound

Elyse, Kim, and Sara enjoying the view

Wayne kayaking in the sound

Elyse and Grandma Janet

Elyse and Grandma Janet getting launched off boat to start

Elyse and her Gma Janet had decided before vacation that they were going to parasail over the water while we were in the Outer Banks.  The day arrived, reservations were made, and Gma Janet is freaking out.  Alex decided he wanted to do it as well, so he was going to go with Derek.  Alex was a little nervous as well, but tried to hide it.  We all went to watch them get on the boat to take them out to the parasailing boat, and off they went.

All four, Derek was the only one who had done it long ago, said it was the coolest thing they had ever done.  Of course, they had to go the highest they could, which was 1200 feet above the water!  When we picked them up off the return boat, Alex shouted, "That was so cool!"

Well....that put some "want" into some of us who did not go.  Next thing you know, the next day, Sara and I are going and Papa is going with Alex.  Wayne tried to go but there was no more room on the transfer boat so he and Derek decided to go kayaking around.  They even kayaked to where we met the parasailing boat and had a great time.  Wayne had never done it before and said it is harder than it looks, as he flipped out a few times, but said he really enjoyed it!

So we had a super time parasailing and kayaking not just one, but two days!!!!  We could see so much of the Outer Banks, the ocean and the sound at one time!  Beautiful!  These are memories we will forever have with one another.  And more first for Gma and Papa!

Part 2: The Outer Banks Beach

Connor getting "a little" sand on his hat!



Elyse and Graham digging in sand.



Wayne and Ellie running from wave



Alex walking Connor out to water



The Kerian family in the ocean!



Notice Grandma holding on to Papa with the wave coming! :)



Wayne and Alex



Graham and his little fish he threw back to the dolphins




 

Johnsons flying kite on the beach

 Of course we went to the beach often!  The best time was in the morning as there were usually dolphin swimming in the ocean and the water was so smooth looking.  The evenings were also nice as many people were out flying kites and walking the beach.  Graham found some small fish that washed on shore and decided he would throw them back into the ocean to feed the dolphin, which was very cute.  The water shifted temps various days, based on the wind, sometimes being chilly and then sometimes the perfect relief from the heat.  The week before, there had been a shark attack in the Outer Banks, further south from where we were, but that did not stop us. (maybe a little.....)

My parents, both deathly afraid of water, ventured further out into the ocean than they ever have.  Connor liked to watch the water, but Graham preferred the house pool.  He did enjoy an evening of kite flying as Wayne has a special kite for Graham that he likes to fly. 

The last day was probably the best day....perfect temperature all around and beautiful out.  This did not help the fact that we all were leaving soon.....

Part 1 of Outer Banks, North Carolina, The Pool

beach house.  This side faced ocean.



Papa in pool....notice he is not letting go of the rail.  :)



Alex and Graham in pool.  Graham LOVED the pool at the house



Family friends, Darby and his daughter, Ellie



Elyse in pool with lemonade slushie



view from top deck of house....Wayne cleaning pool

 Once again, the Outer Banks of North Carolina has left our family with many memories!  We returned Sunday from a great week in the Outer Banks with family and friends (I then had a week long class which was good, but hard to get into after 2 weeks of vacation).  The week went by too quickly, of course!  We were suppose to return to Iowa by Friday as Elyse was to attend a basketball team camp at UNI all weekend, but luckily (thank you Mr. Sickles) Elyse and Wayne talked to her coach that Wednesday and he said she could stay and skip the camp!  Yeah!!!! I must throw in though that she did practice and while we were in the Outer Banks, she shot her 10,000 shot for the summer.  (the goal they were to meet).  Anyway, we were glad to have a few more days in North Carolina as time just goes by so quickly and the others were staying thru the weekend.

While we all missed Ken a lot, there were many times during the week we would catch ourselves saying, "Ken is probably saying...... right now!" and smile.  We all knew he was there with us..... We put the "M &M Bowl" out just as he would have!

I am going to do the post in sections as there is a lot to share.  I also have some videos I will be posting of the fun parasailing lots of us did ....including G'ma and Papa, who are terrified of water!  :)  Another week of first for quite a few people.....including the grandparents.!

Our family arrived in the Outer Banks a day before my parents and sister so we had a night with Deanne and Darby's family.  We had a super time staying with them, chatting, swimming, and relaxing.  My parents and Sara's family arrived the next day in the middle of the night so we were all ready for a week of fun.  The weather was perfect, the beach was wonderful, and the pool was great for those really hot times of the day.  Wayne and Alex got plenty of golf in, kites were flown on the beach, digging in sand was done, dolphins swimming around, and lots of laughs.  Of course we had to make the usual stop at Kitty Hawk Kites, the Duck Fire Station for new tshirts, and the Outer Banks Brewery for dinner.  Those who are familiar with the Outer Banks also know we couldn't pass up the ....White Trash!

So here are some of the first round of pictures to share for our family vacation in the Outer Banks.  I will start with just some basic pictures of the house and the pool.  We had a very intense family volleyball game in the pool and let's just say, the Kerians did not win!  Great time!