The last month has been fun and travel-filled for the Touseys!
In August, Clay and I took our FIRST TRIP TOGETHER without our kiddos since Sam was born (other than one-night trips for weddings). Sam and Caroline spent an amazingly-fun few days with Nana and Papa while we took a five-day trip to Ocracoke Island, in the Outer Banks.
This was one of my favorite places on earth as a kid, but I hadn't been back in years, and it was Clay's first visit. It was the perfect trip - plenty to do, but nothing at all we HAD to do. We rode bikes all over the island, ate tons of seafood, went to the beach, rode on a schooner, and drank a few beers and listened to music while we watched the fishermen return with their catch at the end of each day.
We enjoyed sleeping late and not carrying a diaper bag everywhere we went, but we were very, very happy to return to our kiddos when the trip was over. Sam and Caroline (and Nana and Papa!) were totally delighted and completely worn out after their week of playing. They had so much fun, and so did we. Ocracoke was the home of Blackbeard the pirate, so we more than made up for our time away when we presented pirate souvenirs to the kiddos (particularly Sam, who is absolutely, positively, completely and overwhelmingly obsessed with pirates this summer).
Pretty view from our hotel balcony looking out over Silver Lake, which is the harbor...
Cute Ocracoke lighthouse and lightkeeper's home...
One of our few pictures of the two of us...on the ferry on our way back home!
Back at home, I brought out the camera one weekend morning while we were just playing in our yard in our PJs. I can't tell if Caroline is going to be a tomboy (she's as tough as nails and wants to do everything her big brother does) or a girly-girl (she loves changing her shoes frequently and likes wearing a bow, even with her PJs). Either way, we think she's perfect!
Sam, preparing his awesome rocket launcher!
On Labor Day weekend, we took off for Camden, Maine. Clay's Aunt Marion and Uncle Jimmy live there during the summer and were so sweet to invite us all up for a weekend. It was SUCH a fun trip! The weather was spectacular (lows in the 50s won't reach Florida until December!), and Jimmy and Marion were such sweet hosts. From the plane flights to the rocky beaches to the boats, the kids were in absolute heaven the whole time.
Sweet Sam, collecting rocks on the beach our first morning at the National Park right across the street from Marion and Jim's house... He would have done this for hours and hours if we'd let him!
Caroline checking out the beach with Dadda...
Pretty Penobscot Bay...
Sam's favorite part of Maine was the rocks. The rocks on the beach were okay, but these BIG rocks - rocky peninsulas jutting out into the water - were the real highlight of the trip! Pemaquid Point was his favorite. He may be a Maine boy at heart!
Back on the beach the next morning...a great way to start the day!
Caroline chatting with the duckies...
We had to stop for a visit at the Children's Chapel, where Ashley and Ben got married!
And then went to visit another one of these big rocks! This one had snails living all over it!
And back at home this weekend, we took a quick morning trip to Fort Caroline, where we haven't been since I was pregnant with Miss C. The kids had fun making the "nature walk" through the maritime forest to get there and pretending to fire the cannon!
And, finally, I'll share a recent picture of Sam from Dress-Like-A-Pirate Day at school. This was the highlight of his summer. I had to share!
Lots of love to all! We miss and love you!
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