More OBX and birthday x 3

OK I'm not quite smart enough to put the pics in backwards order so this is backwards. we had a great trip. James was there the first few days and then Nana and Papa the last part. We spent days at the park, swimming in the pool, visiting lighthouses, sliding in the sand, playing on the beach. yes, too cold for swimming but a great trip. Here's the kids out on the beach the last day.
I'll put some pics of our beach finds on our nature blog.
Sweet little ones headed down to the beach.
C's bday celebration #3- w/ Nana and Papa
Bodie Lighthouse- boys got badges- 3 Junior Rangers. I don't have pics of Wright Brothers, but we had a good visit there too. The boys enjoyed getting their badges and learning about early airplanes.
This tree (or one near it) by Currituck Lighthouse has lots of memories- from way back in 2001 with a little baby boy through this year & lots in between.
We hiked all around Jockey's Ridge- boys were so excited to find each number.
Sliding down Jockey's Ridge. Last year T couldn't go up by himself. This year he didn't want to stop.

Our kite- KG napping in the backpack.
T ready for some duck hunting. We had a great visit to the wildlife center by Currituck Lighthouse. Got to watch fish feeding- a little class about fish. A great movie about the history of the area, dressed up like duck hunters, and went home with new fishing costumes.
Bday celebration #2- w/ Grandma, Uncle B, and Pops Leon
Celebration #1 with the Lewcrew. We had pancakes for dinner & C requested carrot cake which we made from scratch (peeled the carrots, opened vanilla beans, ...) since we were snowed in and couldn't buy any shortcuts! Can't believe he's 5! Wow! It seems like yesterday that we were praying for him to make it. And now he goes a million miles an hour.

5 years ago (yesterday) our little miracle arrived. what a night! what a boy! We're so thankful for him. We went on our family walk for vasa previa this weekend- still praying for all the vasa previa angels and their families.
Chase's miracle birth