Summer Vacation - part 1: Oak Island, NC

Tonight I sit looking out our window at a beautiful full moon shining over the Atlantic Ocean.  Tonight is our last night staying in a beach house with Grandma and Grandpa and our family of five.  It has been an incredible vacation - relaxing, just the right amount of sun and shade, the beach and the ocean, great food, and most importantly; lots of quality family time.  For the first time in a long time; we unplugged all day long.

We stayed on Oak Island, NC and were lucky to be here during the loggerhead turtle nesting.  On Sunday night, while walking back to the beach at the end of the day; we were told the importance of filling in holes on the beach.  Mama loggerheads make the long journey up the beach and make their nests in the dune to keep their babies (usually 100 or more!) safe from high tide and vultures.  If there are large holes left from a fun day on the beach; mama could fall in and not make it on her journey.  Needless to say; after we filled our hole; we were urged by turtle protector Norah and turtle protector Bella to fill in any hole we could see...or walk to see.  For the next few nights we walked and brought shovels with us to help fill in the holes...no mama's would miss their purpose on our watch!

The kids got to see nature in another way this week too.  While shell searching, we could see mussels rapidly trying to dig back into the sand once they were exposed.  This fascinated them (and me) to no end and poor little mussels had to dig over and over again so we could watch.  It's amazing how fast they are and know instinctively where to go.

At the beginning of the week; we would mention high tide to the kids while we were on the beach at different times of the day.  The concept was lost on them as they have never seen high tide....so on Wednesday, we made it down to the beach in time for high tide.  It was like a new playground had opened to us!  Right in front of our house; the ocean makes a little stream that later becomes a rip tide going back into the ocean.  The stream wasn't too strong or deep and the kids were all able to play and splash until high tide receded.  The games and playtime lasted until the sun began to set and cold set in...wonderous

There is something wonderful about vacationing with extended family.  Having the extra time to spend with family means having more time to talk and relax...to play and laugh without going home at the end of the day.  We have been lucky enough to have a few vacations with family; and love that we have this chance.  It not only gives me and Brian a chance to have more quality time with our extended family; but it also gives the kids a great chance to connect with family.  The memories we made this week shine in my mind more because of this time with family.  Knowing the kids will remember these vacations and hopefully take similar journeys with us and their children makes me smile.