This is the end of day 2. We were at my favorite part of the drive where a tunnel takes us under the water as we travel from Hampton to Norfolk. Unfortunately we got stuck in a big traffic jam which slowed us down 3 times! We had promised the kids they could stretch their legs at imagination island, a playground I found online that had great reviews. Here is a picture of the sun going down as we neared our destination!We arrived at imagination island pretty late but luckily there were still many families playing. I was so glad that we could keep our promise to the kids! it had been a LONG day in the car!We came back the next day and played in the day light as well. It is a very pretty park!Once at our hotel Luke begged to be able to go to sleep! Our Priceline steal turned out to be one king size bed on the water side of the hotel pictured below. There was no way we'd all fit, w/ my big belly! so I asked for a new room, that did not come w/ such a great view, but we went to bed right away anyways. Here is a view of the hotel on the water. We like to stay somewhere new every year.

I found another new place to stop this year. We tried out the Children's Museum of Virginia.The kids had a blast with all the hand on stuff!Every year Rich has had the tradition of taking the kids to the beach late at night to catch "ghost crabs" They carry their crabs back to the condo in special cages and at night he releases them back to the beach. It's quite funny to watch people chasing after the crabs. We invited Mark and Deb and kids... to join in on the fun one night. It was a memorable time! :) Last year I got 2 little baby beach braids in Abby's hair, just enough to keep it out of her eyes so I didn't have to use the hair clip. She looked so cute! And this year she didn't pull them out at nap time!

Abby and I had some "girl time".. I took her to the local bead shop and we made a necklace together. It was a lot more expensive then I expected so we only made one. But it was a good memory for her. She keeps wanting to go back.

After that we stopped to get ice cream!

Uncle Rich fell in love w/ his nephew Hudson. He snapped these the night we were babysitting. He was "attempting" to get him to go to bed, but uncle Rich is a softy... so the kids were catching on to this opportunity to stay up late! :)

Here are all 6 of the kids together...

And the Yankee's Fans.... Too bad for my brother and SIL... my niece has been highly influenced by her uncle! Mommy and Abby stop for a snuggle!

Every year we venture down to the Christmas Shop. The kids remembered getting candy last year. So of course that has become a tradition in itself! :)

Abby w/ her matching lollipop and dress! :)

Rich spent a lot of time playing w/ his nieces and nephews. At the beach he dug a huge hole near the water for them to play in.

Joci and Abby hanging out together.

The "babies of the family. " Abby and Hudson"

Rich showing off his muscles! :)

Luke w/ a hand full of Mole Crabs

My Dad stopping before catching a wave.Family picture!

another try...

picture at the top of the stairs before coming down to the beach.

kids playing in the sand.A very swollen Mommy and Luke

Once again... excuse the puffy face! Mommy and Abby in the heat of the day.

Luke

Abby

Luke

We traded turns going on a date night w/ my brother and SIL. Here is Rich and I waiting for our pager to go off. We walked across the street to the public beach access. This is the 3rd year we ate at the Black Pelican.

After dinner we came out and saw this beautiful rainbow!On the way back from our date night we stopped at some of the sound side stores. This is a really pretty area!

I got a great shot of the sun going down here!!!!

These are a few of the pictures I took at the indoor and outdoor pools.

Me on a raft feeling rather uncomfortable!

Joci and Abby

Rich and Abby

kids playing tic-tac-toe with Joci's new towel.

My cousin Chris w/ Luke. Luke LOVES Chris and looks forward to seeing him every year!

My Sister in Law (SIL) Deb and ColterKayli

My brother Mark and Hudson

Joci

Mommy and Abby at the indoor pool.

Every year we look for something new to do at the OBX. This year I found "Pirates Adventure". We surprised the kids and took them to Manteo for this special event. The kids dressed like pirates, and boarded a ship. We searched for sunken treasure, took turns shooting the bad pirate w/ water cannons, and did the limbo at our celebration party.

kids all "drunk"

group photo near the end of our trip.

checking out their "treasure"

Abby getting her share of treasure.

shooting the bad pirate w/ water cannons. Then we retrieved his keys and found the treasure.

me braving the heat.. it was 93 degrees!!! 3:30 PM ugh!!

kids sitting in the front of the boat.

Saying goodbye to cousins was hard! Rich and Hudson!

Group hug Rich w/ the girls.

Luke and Kayli

Luke hugging Joci.

Luke hugging Colter (who is actually a year younger than Luke! but taller!!)