Russ needed a break. He's been working nearly everyday, minus Sundays, since mid-July to get all the orders filled. Some have even been done a month or two ahead of time. That's fortunate for us since the customer who ordered them called to have them expedited - 'yesterday' type of thing... When we got the dates on the calendar for our beach trip Russ kicked into even higher gear. He worked until the night before we left. And it's all been worth it.
So that's partly why we're here. At Duck, NC. This is our 4th year visiting Duck - and now it's officially a tradition. It started out with my friend Anna May inviting us since it's been their tradition for about 8 years. We liked it so much we rented a house last year with family and friends. This year we're here with Bruce and Rose and boys, Allan and Angie and children, Eric and Laura and children, and expecting Jesse and Jill around 1 am. It's so nice to have a time each year when we know we'll just get to hang out with family, swim, play cards, watch the children squeal in delight, and now... belly dance (courtesy of Rose). That part is definitely new. Rose has been belly dancing for several years and has a little group of ladies that get together each week. Angie and Laura have been part of that group for about 4 months now, so I've been getting a crash course the last couple evenings.
Tomorrow we celebrate Bruce's big 40 (even though it's passed), and Daniel's 8th birthday. The entertainment includes Jessica and Katlyn doing the 3 magic tricks they learned recently - the 'spoon picture' trick, 'which book 'trick, and the 'guess the object' trick. I love those tricks. It took me quite a while to figure them out... well, actually the girls went ahead and told me. I need to work on my observation skills... I must admit I was stumped. Anyway, us Mom's will be doing a belly dance with scarves (very beautiful I must say) and the 'pinky dance' with the daughters. I'm not sure what the men have planned. Bumps for both birthday boys perhaps? Ethiopian food is on the menu... yummy. The food has been wonderful this week so far - I must admit that IS one of my favorite things about this trip. Everyone takes turns with supper so we get de-lish-ous food!
Sunday was great weather for being on the beach. Today has been rainy and cold. Although there was a break in the rain this afternoon. Rod and Lori arrived this morning, although they'll be staying at a different house, and so the men and children went out to the beach to dig a fairly substantial hole. It was probably 5 feet deep and 3 feet in diameter. The youngest children loved it, especially trying to climb out. Holes like that are great babysitters at the ocean - they keep the children safe from getting into any trouble. Little David was the cutest! At 2 years old he was covered, and I do mean covered, in sand. His hair, under his fingernails, and even his nose seemed to be packed with sand - but he didn't care. He was probably the happiest little boy there.
Tomorrow the forecast doesn't look much better. Hopefully the rain will stop long enough for a bike ride and maybe a swim. Otherwise, we'll pile into the van and visit the NC Aqaurium or a lighthouse out here.
That'll be all for now... I believe it's hot tub time!
