Hatteras 2011....

So.... I've been to Hatteras with my hubby's family a few times in my life now.  Once or twice before we were married.  Once before kids.  We took Ally when she was 18 months... and then didn't go again until Luke was 6 months, 18 months, and this year, when he is 3 1/2. This has been, by far, the best trip yet!  The previous two times we went were challenging, at best.  Luke hated the sand, the ocean, wasn't a huge fan of the pool yet.. deposed the heat.... and wouldn't' sleep AT ALL!!!!!!!  This year, he seems to be just old enough that he could enjoy the beach, the pool and be okay with sleeping in a strange bed so long as he knew were we were!!

Even the flight was PERFECT!!!!!  He was so excited about everything. About getting on the plane, buckling his own seatbelt, looking out the window... and he even watched as we took off.  We stayed busy, even though it was only a one and a half hour flight.  He loved the snacks and juice the flight attendant brought.  We colored and played tic tac toe.  And we looked out the window at the sights,  A LOT!!!!  He was ecstatic as we landed in Norfolk because there were "Cranky the Cranes" all over... and he was enthralled with all the buildings.  It was adorable.  Always a joy to watch something through his eyes.

We got our rental car and got out of the airport in record time.  Things were going SO well.... until we hit some nasty traffic trying to get on the island.  What should have been a 2 1/2 - 3 hour drive... became a 5 1/2 hour drive... cuz we inched to get on and over the bridge.  Tensions were high in the car my friend.  Scott tried his hardest to make light of the situation, but Ally was losing her shit. We told jokes.  Gave dollars to the person who could do the best fake cry, fake puke, and fake laugh.  Still, it was a rough go until we got through the traffic and onto the island....

Then, once the kids could see the dunes and realized we were getting close, they were beyond excited.... and all smiles.  That last hour (after we all stopped for a potty break and some food!) were a blast!  A lot of fun anticipation and excitement in the air.  :-)

We were the second "wave" to arrive at the cottage.  My father and brother in law (who drove down) made it first, checked in and unloaded all our bags.  Adam even greeted me at the door with a much deserved margarita!!!!  Let the fun begin!!!!!!!!

The kids were off... bathing suits were put on... and they were in the pool instantly.  My brother in law and his two kids, Natalie and Even arrived not long after us... and then my mother in law, Jane, Grace and the twins brought up the rear!  We were all there!!!!!!

We ordered pizza that first night... got the kids down... enjoyed drinks in the hot tub (one of my very favorite parts of Hatteras - drinking with my hubby and his sibs)... and let the games begin!!!

A typical day was, arise far too early... man the kids woke up early down there!  Have a wonderful huge breakfast.... and hit the beach before it go too hot.  Luke was amazing in the ocean.  He really loved it this time - at least at first.  If he got water in his mouth, he wasn't a fan. And the sand that stuck to his feet... well, he always wanted me to "get it off!"  So, there were some low points.  But, he was a thousand percent better this year than previous years... so I will take it!!!!!!!

We would head back... take a dip in the pool... and then head up for lunch.... then, kids and adults alike would have some "rest time."  Which meant, actual naps for the kids... and drinking, swimming, and reading time for us adults!!!!!  The kids would get up... and we were back in the pool for the day, until it was time to shower and get ready for happy hour and dinner.... then, sometimes, back in the pool after dinner... or trips to get ice cream.... or back to the beach to crab hunt.... or game playing in the cottage.

The cottage had an elevator and the kids loved it.  All five of the bigger kids would ride up and down.. or just sit in it and play school. They all played together so well.  It was great for Ally to have so much time with her cousin Natalie, who is her cousin closest to her in age.  Natalie will be six next month.  Ally took on the role of "biggest cousin" very well and thoroughly enjoyed being the boss of them.  :-)

She did need her alone time now and then.... so she and I had an afternoon to ourselves once... we did some shopping and she picked out some souvenirs and I found some great jewelry at a local art gallery.  Another day, the four of us, went out to lunch and did some more shopping... so we had a good mix of family time, and just our family time.

Luke absolutely fell in love with swimming.  This summer, spending so much time at the pool at the club has made him more confident in water, but up to this point, it's been time in a "baby pool."  At Hatteras, he wore swimmies and learned how to swim independently with those!!!  A huge step for my timid little guy!!!

We did a family photo shoot on the beach again... I cannot wait to see how the pictures turned out!!!!  Jane always does an amazing job!!!!!  I'm sure she also got lots of candids of all the kids... and I can't wait to share her much better pics.... but in the meantime, I can share what I got.... which still captures the essence of our time there.  It was a great time.  A gorgeous house... full of lots of people we love... and everyone had such a nice time being together....  :-)