2008 Beach Trip

June marked the month of the beach trip this year. The weather was perfect, the pool was heated, the hot tub was ... hot, but the ocean was a little on the cold side. That didn't stop us (or the kids) from having a blast all week long.

The Wiggles provide ample entertainment before lunch is served.

"...point your fingers and do the twist!"

A thunderstorm off the coast early in the week made for a few good night pictures. Not really a matter of timing, just a matter of pointing the camera in the right direction and having the aperture open.

A vacation at the Outer Banks wouldn't be complete without a trip to see the Hatteras lighthouse! We didn't venture to climb to the top this year. Mabe in a few years when the boys can carry theselves and at least two bottles of water.

"Lighthouses are so much fun!!"

We had 6 kids to 10 adults. The adults were almost outnumbered. Liam and Elijah had a blast playing with everyone. Here Liam sings backup for Matthew.

"...you've got a friend in me..."

The ocean was cold, but once you were used to it, there was no stopping the fun! Liam had a much better time at the ocean this year compared to last. I think watching Matthew have so much fun in the waves helped Liam have a lot more fun. He and Matthew ran rampant as often as they could.

And everything is all fun and games until someone gets wiped out by a rogue wave.

He was up and running again in about 30 seconds.

You would not believe how hard it is to get six kids under the age of five to sit still long enough to take a picture, much less have more than 50% of them actually looking at the camera. I think the better picture would have been of the parent's trying desperately to get the attention of the kids.

Liam was snacking, Elijah was digging a hole, Hannah was watching Elijah dig the hole, Andrew was a little concerned about all the parent's loud voices required to keep their attention, while Matthew and Ella demonstrated the desired look that only years of photographing, attention-getting parent's, "look at me, sweety", would produce.

We attended the street festival in Manteo. Liam and Matthew were dancing up a sweat - it was hot and muggy, after all.

And finally, a parting shot of Matthew at the beach.

Until next year...