Day 5
Our days pretty much looked the same. Pool, nap, beach, snack, play, rest, eat lunch, swim in the ocean, snack some more, relax, repeat. The pictures will prove this statement to be true.
2 cute napping babies...
We decided that today was the day to try to get some good family/group pictures on the beach that evening while the weather was pretty perfect. We all got cleaned up, ate an early dinner, and then headed back to the place where we first saw the beach on day 1. I had eyed a good "picture-taking" spot already and was hopeful that the lighting would be good. Often when I have high expectations, these expectations are not met and I am disappointed, but this evening was great and probably exceeded what we had hoped for in the way of cooperative kids and great photos. It was fun, too!
The spot
Baby J made it into the first round of girls' pictures (you can only see a small hand). It's hard to believe we've been friends for 16 years already!
After a great photo session, we decided this was a perfect evening to drive down to the marina for ice cream. Of course, we stopped first to to grab a few more photos.
Complete group shot in front of Old Baldy
Besides questioning whether or not we were eating real ice cream or some fake substitute, it was a great treat and the setting sun was quite the backdrop.
He's awake! J was such a good baby (newborn!) and slept so much of the time, but it was fun to get a few pics of him awake and alert.
Watching the ferry come in at sunset
And here's the final completed (well...almost!) puzzle. Of course, it didn't feel "complete" without the missing piece but it wasn't worth the spent vacation time to find it in the game and puzzle closet.
Day 6
More pool time at the Shoals Club baby pool. This was a favorite spot of the week and entertaining for the kids (so the adults could lounge in chairs nearby and relax)...
The typical view of the island from the back of the golf cart. Such a peaceful, quiet island.
Day 7
I started the day with a bike ride to a few shops and then met the gang over on the beach.
Here are a few pics of the Shoals Club (Pool and beach access that required membership. Fortunately, our house came with it included.) area of the island.
View from the beach up towards the main pool.
Threatening skies again. Because this was our last full day, we rode it out until the last possible minute so as not to miss out on any beach time.
Cleaning up quickly and early because of the approaching storm. David invented a creative way to get all the chairs back to the boardwalk as fast as possible.
Me and my roomie, who is so sweet and fun. I enjoyed sharing a room with A while we were on BHI and also laying in bed and chatting with her in the mornings.
She's also a GREAT big sister!
The storm came and went so some of the group ended up back in the pool. And when there's rain and sun, there's also...
...a rainbow!
Day 8
The week had been so great that we were sad when it was time to pack up all of our luggage and bins. Thanks to basically eating in the entire week, at least the bins were lighter from all of the food we ate that week.
A very sad sight to see the tram arrive to pick us (and all of our luggage!) up to take us back to the marina so that we could catch the ferry and head home.
A final group shot before we departed our lovely home for the week
Two peas in a pod
Love their new BHI t-shirts!
The marina in Southport, NC was where we left our cars (and all our cares, too!)...
The sensible thing to do after a full week away would have been to go back to Richmond to unpack and get ready for work the following day. Of course, the weather was beautiful and it was still mid-afternoon so I was lured to Williamsburg instead. Plus, traveling that direction meant another boat (ferry) ride and a nice dinner with the family. It was almost like extending my vacay just a little bit longer.
It was a great trip from start to finish and I was so thankful for a wonderful week away. Hoping a return trip to BHI will happen sooner than the last few times for me!
