Outerbanks 2011

Our family is what I consider a transition period for family vacations. Madalyn is old enough to enjoy and remember almost anything we could plan but Weston, well, he is only 4 and we want him to remember these experiences but we are not sure he will totally appreciate them.

Therefore planning this year's family vacation became a challenge to me. David and I talked about all kinds of places and things but nothing seemed to fit us. One evening last fall I was reading my trusty Southern Living and came across an article about great family vacation places. The Outerbanks sounded wonderful.

A few weeks later and lots of research and it was booked...7 day family vacation on the beach on the Outerbanks (OBX) in North Carolina. We stayed in Kill Devil Hills to be exact because it had more excitement going one compared to the other sleepy towns.

We were able to soak up rays, history, nature and so much more. I have to admit my favorite spot was the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island. It is the real first settlement in the United States. It is an amazing story of the first settlers and their unsolved disappearance. You should check out the story. I bought a book from their gift shop to learn more. I highly recommend you checking out that amazing story.

David worked for a while getting ready for a photo op and it turned out great.

View from our condo. We were just steps from the ocean.

We buried Weston up to his neck in the sand and he loved it. Crazy little dude:)

Wright Brothers Memorial...this was the dune they first tried to fly using and also the second tallest dune on the East Coast.

Memorial on top of that dune.

We stumbled across the North Carolina Aquarium on our visit to Roanoke Island. It was so nice. Here the kids are petting sting rays.

The wild horses of Corolla (aka Banker horses). They are very timid and sweet, not crazy mustangs, but they are truly wild horses. They are not provided with any additional food. There were lots of foal and the kids loved looking at them.

Currituck Lighthouse at the Northern end of the Outerbanks. We were able to climb to the top of this lighthouse, 216 steps to the top. It was gorgeous. The craftsmanship is amazing.

A family photo atop the lighthouse. That is Currituck Sound behind us.

We managed to play on the beach each afternoon when we arrived back from our daily adventures. Our last day was Friday to we spend all afternoon at the beach until it was time to back up and leave.

A true sandman...this boy is crazy, adorable and so full of life. His personality is so fantastic and original. He had a blast at the beach and is dying to learn to surf.

I managed to get them to take one picture with me. They were too busy playing the rest of the time.

Madalyn finally started to really play in the water on our last day. She is such a nervous little girl that she usually misses out on great things because of her fear. We couldn't keep her out of the water on the last day.

Weston loved to boogie board. He is just steps away from a big boy surf board:)

The memories will last a lifetime from our most wonderful family vacation to North Carolina.

I highly recommend to try this place out with your family. It is beautiful and perfect!!!