Seldom A Dull Moment!: The Family Beach Trip

Having grown up going to Myrtle Beach with my family every summer, I knew I wanted my girls to have those memories of spending a week at the beach every summer with their family. And so...10 years ago, I began the task of finding a "less crowded, less overwhelming, family friendly" beach that my mom and dad would be willing to vacation on. Emerald Isle, North Carolina (the "Southern Outer Banks" as it is referred to) surfaced and we have been returning for the past 10 years. I love this time with my family, and am so happy that we found a place that my mom and dad, sister and brother-in-law are able and willing to return to every year!

2004 - 10 years ago - Emerald Isle #1:

2013 - Emerald Isle #10:

We have the typical beach vacation with mom, dad, kids, grandparents, aunt, uncle - eating, playing and relaxing...but we have established EVENTS that have become traditions every year. In the spirit of "Seldom A Dull Moment," our traditional events have evolved into non-traditional events...

Here's the pictorial narration of this years non-traditional events:

Boogie Boarding:
Even boogie boarding becomes an event for this group! Katie started off the week refusing to get in the water. She's had some traumatic big wave attacks in previous years, and didn't want to venture in this year...she was happy to observe from the sand and find her own way to relax...

The others - Don, Carleigh and my sister Patty, and brother-in-law Ev took to the water and waves right away - they had to upgrade the boogie boards mid-week for more speed and agility. Once upgraded...they formed their Boogie Board Gang (club was too "boring") They each had a name and away they went into the water to wait for the perfect swell!!

the Gang - (l-r) Bullet, Barbie, Tipper, and Flipper - Katie observing

Waiting for the perfect wave...

Getting Ready...

Got it... altogether!

As high tide would come in - the sand allowed for a "Lazy River" to sort of form at the shore - Katie enjoyed that and explored the possibilities with a boogie board. - Yes, nontraditional boogie boarding!

Barbie and Bullet decided to join in on the Lazy River fun...

To keep with the non-traditional boogie boarding.....my mother wanted to play in the lazy river, but needed a little assistance. So...my sister jumped up to help.

Yes...my mother is being WALKED by my sister! Seldom a Dull Moment!!

After exploring the Lazy River concept, Katie decided it wasn't that scary and ventured into the waves to try real boogie boarding...she was very successful and proud of herself for conquering that fear!

She was even willing to hang with the big boys!

Going back for more!

Feeding the seagulls takes on a whole new meaning for this group! Towards the end of the week every year, we share with the friendly beach birds!

This year, Don found a breakfast potato that was too happy to eat!

In the theme of Tom Hanks and "Wilson" from Castaway, Don and "Happy Potato" went to the beach to see if it could become seagull bait.

Patty and Carleigh started out sharing, to get them interested...

notice blue cup (near bottom left) with Happy Potato waiting to be lifted away

Then the seagulls got interested and started exploring...

Then Gigantor (the biggest of them all - aptly named by the girls) swooped in and took off with dear Happy Potato!

the fork and cup fell to the ground - and he was a happy seagull - RIP Happy Potato!

We also had some fun time just relaxing, flying kites and playing football on the beach....

Now for the family pictures....those of you who know us, know that we don't just do that traditional last night on the beach family photo. Nope, we have to have clothing changes and multiple night pictures - and LOTS of photo bombs, which turn into either arguments or laughter...or a bit of each.

It starts with posing on the beach - we've got to get those sun and surf bathing suit photos:

Then girls on the beach at dusk with fun clothes on:

yep...this one sums up the behind the scenes during this photo shoot

Mid-week we tried a blue shirt picture - not bad, but most of the pics had my eyes closed:

it was very windy that night...

and then the photo-bombing begins...

Every year we do a "girl shirts" photo shoot. This is the 5 girls with a variety of shirts - usually about 3 wardrobe changes. This year was no different!:

#1 Tank tops - with "Take Me Away" on the front:

Then the wardrobe change for #2:

#2: Old Navy - "The Beach is Calling Me" shirts

#3 - "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" shirts:

Notice Ev photo-bombing all of these pics in the background - up on the deck!

Our last night picture has changed over the years - tie dye, black shirts, and khaki/white. We returned to the khaki/white theme this year and spent about 30 minutes with these memorable pictures: