Oak Island 2011

Andrew and I were trying to decide how many years we've been going down to Oak Island with my family to stay at my Paw-Paw and Uncle Ronnie's beach place. He thinks it's been about 7 years and I tend to agree with him, but I think we missed at least one year somewhere along the line. We had been preparing Tyler for the beach for weeks before- reading books, talking about it, etc. For example,

Tyler: 'Mommy and Daddy and Nana and Poppa- beach. No Michael, no Ka-Ka (Connor the dog).'

Mommy: 'No Ka-Ka is going to the beach with us.'

Tyler: 'Ka-Ka?!?!? Eeeeewwwwwwwww!!!!'

Here goes that Crazy Connor snowplowing in the sand after swimming in the ocean. Here goes Poppa taking cover as Connor attempts to shake off water and sand afterwards.

Tyler was very timid of the ocean when he first arrived, but just after a few minutes of putting his toes in the water with Nana, that attitude changed pretty quickly.

Ready to head out deeper with Daddy.

Connor tagging along as always-- eager to protect!

Andrew posing on Oak Island pier with a beached whale.

Oh wait, that's just me-- 25 weeks pregnant.

Jump with me Poppa!

'I go FAST!!!!!'

(and he really does- he's hard to catch up with!)

Nana and Poppa in their annual pier pose

We took the ferry over to Fort Fisher to go to the Aquarium. Tyler talked and talked about going on a boat- then said nothing the whole time we were on the ferry and just was taking it all in.

Not too many seagulls to feed this year.

Where were they all? Fatdaddy's?

Typical- Poppa enjoying the ferry ride from the car. Ha Ha!

Daddy, look at that snake!

Mesmerizing Jellyfish

Of course Tyler's favorite thing at the Aquarium was practicing jumping! We could've done that for free back at our playground.

Our new fave lunch place- a gazebo by the sea.

2nd annual picnic here

Nana and Poppa took the Mister home with them to give me and Andrew some time to explore downtown Wilmington. We went to an ice cream shop, a few bars, and took a tour of a brewery. I know, what good times for a pregnant lady! No, all kidding aside, we had a good time- we're good at making our own fun.

Posing by the NC Battleship. It looks like Andrew is holding it in the palm of his hand, doesn't it. Must be the magic of our new camera.

Ever the competitors (think Andrew here more than Leslie), we spent a good chunk of time playing bar games. I lost in skeeball, airhockey (which I'm usually pretty good at- I blame the pregnancy belly), and darts. Oh well.

Victorious Andrew

We had yet another wonderful vacation at Oak Island. Andrew said he wanted to take a turn at the mountains next year. But as we were pulling away, he said we'll see you again next year beach. I think I've convinced him to take 2 trips and hit up the mountains in the Spring and the beach in Summer.

One last parting pic-

'I LIKE the beach!'