The Story of the Sparkman's

Last week we loaded up the family (to the point that I thought we might we might have to rent a U-Haul trailer) and headed to family's place on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

You can barely see it, but this AC's plea to Todd to leave a day early....written in chalk on the driveway.
Much to her dismay, he denied.

We decided to try a new approach to our travels- leaving in the early evening.  I was not in favor since I'm not a night person, but T thought it would mean fewer stops and the little ones and I could sleep.  The ride down was a little rocky....the big kids were so excited, they could hardly sleep and I was so nervous Todd was going to fall asleep driving that I kept jerking to a waking start and screaming, "Are you ok?," to Todd and thus, waking up the entire mini.

Thing settled down around midnight and just as I was drifting off to sleep, we heard sobbing in the way back.  After turning on the lights, we saw AC holding her beloved American Girl doll, Elizabeth, her head in one hand and her body in the other.
"Elizabeth is dead!!  If we have to bury her. I would like to wait until we are home and have the funeral in our yard."  Funny now, especially since she is fixed, but it wasn't so funny at the time.

Soaking up the sunshine....

Ready for the beach......

These kids LOVE the ocean....Todd and I watched in awe as they dove head first into rough waves and loved every minute of it...

Breakfast with Uncle Brad

Relaxing with CC before bedtime

Looking for clams on the dock...

the "captains" are ready to get going...

ready for action....

Whaler, my uncle K's and aunt M's new puppy was a highlight of our trip.......

Anna Cate, Brian, and Todd built an impressive sand village...

the baby girls loved their pool...  thank you CC and Grandma Pat!

The "AC's" playing tetherball... Anna Cate was joined at the hip with Anne Campbell throughout our whole trip..I can't think of a better role model for her. 

AC and B were thrilled to have willing participants for hide and go seek, freeze tag, and simon says... Uncle Brad looks a little annoyed with my picture taking!

The "AC's in a feirce competition of UNO......

Brian teaching Uncle K the art of "bey blade battling"

True to form, my camera battery died at this point

Familaiar?  Yes. 

Plus, I forgot the battery charger. 

Uncle K took us to Shackleford Island- the most peaceful beach ever.  We swam, saw the wild horses that live there, and got tons of huge gorgeous shells.  AC even found an old medicine bottle washed up on the beach.  She is convinced it once belonged to Black Beard!