Beach Trip

A couple of weeks ago we took our annual trip to the Outer Banks with Mimi, Pops, Uncle Lloyd and Shannon.  We had a wonderful week with great weather and fun times on the beach and in the pool.  Paige and Virginia could not love the water more than they do.

Every morning when Paige and Virginia woke up they went up to Mimi and Pops' room and hung out with them until Mommy and Daddy got up.  Most mornings they also went to Dunkin Donuts with Mimi and Pops and brought home donuts, munchkins and coffee.  Then after breakfast we'd all go out for our morning exercise- walking or running- before hitting the beach.  Then lunch and then pool time.  After the pool the girls would shower and take naps before dinner.

The first morning we were there we saw a whole school of dolphins out in the ocean so we went outside to watch them and take some pictures.

Virginia

Pretty Paige and Virginia watching the dolphins.

 Dolphins

The girls got their birthday gifts from Uncle Lloyd and Miss Shannon the first morning we were at the beach.  Uncle Lloyd got them pretty dresses and some arts and crafts stuff.  Miss Shannon brought beach toys and new bathing suits for the girls that they loved immediately.  Pretty much every day that we were there one or both of the girls wore those bathing suits.  Here's Paige running up the beach in her new bathing suit.

Virginia and Paige playing in the surf in their bathing suits from Miss Shannon.

Virginia wearing her new dress from Uncle Lloyd and telling me not to take her picture. :)

Paige wearing one of Mimi's headbands.

Virginia showing off her swimming skills in the pool.

 Paige and Virginia swimming in the pool with their noodles.

 Virginia and Paige getting hit by a wave with Pops and Mimi.

After two days and hanging out on the beach and the pool, we decided to take a break and go do other things for awhile.  After breakfast the four of us headed out and went to the outlet mall for a little shopping.  Then we ate a quick lunch at the outlets before going to play miniature golf.  It was a hot day so we were happy for the holes in tunnels, but we had a good time playing mini golf.  Paige, Virginia and Mommy all each had at least one hole in one!  Then we went back to the house and the girls and I went to the pool for awhile before baths and dinner.

We had one day (Thursday) that was really hot.  Really hot.  It was the one day that we had any real interest in being in the ocean because it was so hot sitting up on the beach.  

 Paige and Virginia running to the water.

Paige and Virginia playing in the surf.

Mommy, Paige, Virginia and Miss Shannon took their chairs and and hung out at the water's edge.

Paige and Virginia playing in the sand while Mommy, Shannon and Mimi sit in the surf.

Mommy, Paige, Shannon and Virginia out in the water.

That night before dinner we took family pictures.  Paige and Virginia made sure their babies were included in the family pictures. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the four of us.  I'll have to get one from Mimi.

Paige, Shannon, Uncle Lloyd and Virginia

Daddy and Mommy

Paige, Mimi, Pops and Virginia

The Rowland Men- Uncle Lloyd, Pops and Daddy

Friday morning Uncle Lloyd and Shannon headed back to Wilmington.  It was a cool, windy day, so after an attempt at the pool where it was quite chilly, we decided to go to Jockey's Ridge.  We had a great time walking around on the dunes.  Paige and Virginia also had a really good time running all over the dunes.

Virginia and Paige carrying their shoes.

Paige and Virginia running on the dunes.

Our attempt at a family picture on Jockey's Ridge.  The girls were not in the mood.

So we decided to just get a picture of the two of us.

Saturday was another beautiful day and we were back out on the beach in the morning.  There were a lot of crabs out on the beach that day, like this one who was traveling pretty far from his hole when he came up.

Paige and Virginia sitting in the surf.

And getting nailed by a wave.

Saturday night we celebrated Father's Day a day early.  Daddy and Pops opened their cards with Virginia and Paige's help.

Daddy with his girls.

Paige and Virginia watching Pops open his cards.

Pops loves his grandgirls!

We were so happy to have another wonderful family week at the beach.  Thank you, Mimi and Pops, for the fabulous week!  We can't wait to go back next year.