9 Months

16 pounds 13 ounces

one tooth

constantly drooling

kneels on his knees

cutes giggles

like to play peek a boo

chatterbox

spits

climbing up and walking along furniture

high pitch squeal

mr. blue eyes

clapping

momma's boy

my cutie : one little tooth

NC : Goodbye Big Kahuna

It is always a little bitter sweet to pack up after such an awesome vacation. Before we left for the airport we had to take some final photos in front of the Big Kahuna. {Jackson says Big Kahuna the best. It is so cute.} Unforunately we were balancing the camera on some luggage, so we don't have any of the whole front of the house. 

the dormans and the gehrings : OBX 2011

So long Outer Banks. Until we return...maybe October 1st.

NC : Ocracoke

Ocracoke Island is just a ferry ride away from Hatteras. It is also where Captain Blackbeard formally know as William Teach hung out and was killed. We thought all the pirate lore would be so fun for the boys. 

 

max : greta and molly

Once we got off the ferry we hit up Teach's Exhibit and Gift Shop. The front yard was covered in dandelions. Our kids were just helping to spread the flowers around. 

 

buried treasure : treasure maps

brandon and stefan read all the plaques and are now blackbeard experts

I don't know why, but for some reason I pictured this little pirate island to be full of pirates : people dressed in character, lots of little pirate shops, perfect props for a photoshoot. Maybe it was because we were a week before the season started. Maybe it is because I get warped versions of places stuck in my head. But Ocracoke was nothing like I thought it would be. This was the lone pirate store and museum on the entire island. There were more bike rental shops than anything pirate. A tad bit bummed we drove around town (in about 5 minutes), visited the lighthouse and head back to the ferry.

Since we were on a roll checking out light houses we decided to add the Ocracoke Lighthouse to the list. It was a lot small and "not as cool" according to Sam. 

And since Brandon missed all the beach fun from the day before we introduced him to Beach 28 from the day before. We were only there for a couple of hours, but we were able to watch kite boarders, search for shells, jump the waves and enjoy the sun.

 

greta : sam 

 

what a cutie!

 

 

max enjoyed the sand : jackson loved the water

em and molly

videos of the beach will be coming soon

NC : Elementary

Brandon visited two elementary schools while we were in North Carolina. One in Kitty Hawk and the other in Hatteras. He shares some of his first drawings, how much he practices and a little about what his job description entails. After Q&A, Brandon uses his Wacom tablet and they draw a illustration as a group. The kids always love the presentation and seeing that when Brandon first started out his drawings were just like or worse than how well they can currently draw. 

 

NC : Lighthouse

Once again we followed where Brandon was speaking at a school and checked out Hatteras and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It is the tallest lighthouse is in US and one of the most popular. Also once again, coming before April 15th means that we missed out on climbing to the top of the lighthouse. 

the spiral stairs

silly sam i am

molly and the girls : emily and the boys

beach 28 just outside of avon, nc

We found our favorite beach so far. And of course, the one time we didn't bring swimsuits was the first time the kidlets ventured out of the sand and into the water. Jackson's shorts got wet, so he stripped them off. 

max's toes in the sand

Brandon and Stefan went up to Nags Head for one last presentation to an writing group. While they were out, Molly and I hosted a party for the kids. Hot tubbing, baths, and a theatre premiere of Tangled complete with concessions. Promise we really are watching a movie and not just a white screen.