Vacation: North Carolina Style

This year instead of going to our normal spot at Rehoboth Beach for our annual vacation, we decided to visit our good friends, Ryan & Denise in New Bern, NC and then head to the beach (about 45 minutes from them) for the remainder of the time. What a great decision it was. Our families had a fantastic time together. We walked downtown New Bern the first night we were there. It's right on the water so that was fun. Then the next morning we went out for breakfast and went to another friend's house who happens to have a pool. Perfect. Supper together, and a motorcycle ride for Eric, Ryan & Matt (Eric's highlight of the trip). It really was grand. I got a short one in too :)

Then Monday morning, we left for the grocery store and got to Emerald Isle and checked into our ocean front hotel room a little before noon. Beach, pool, hiking, out to eat, sea shell hunting, lots of deer sightings, ice cream, movies, reading, relaxing, napping...yeah, it was a total retreat for us all. The nine hour trip home was filled with "Wheels on the Bus", praise and worship, and lots of conversations. McDonald's and Starbucks helped us make it home in one piece and we were thankful to see our dear doggy, Gideon and our home. Our tanks are filled up once again and we feel ready to finish out our busy seasons in our businesses, our garden/yard and other family events yet this summer.

Here is a little glimpse of what all we got to experience together.