OBX

We spent a week in mid-August at the beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina (or the OBX, as it is also known). Dave's sister Judy, her husband Jeff, their kids Jeffrey and Catie, and their dog Jake, have been vacationing there for years. Their usual companions are their friends Amy and Jeff, their kids James and Julianne, and their dog Bella. Because all those kids and dogs surely don't create enough excitement and chaos, we were happy to add ours to the mix!

And a great mix it was.

Getting to and from the Outer Banks involved long travel days, but Maisy did quite well on the plane with help from her new friends the iPad and Calliou. 

Once we arrived in the Outer Banks, the gadgets were history, as the warm beach (and pool! and hot tub!) provided far superior entertainment. Maisy loves the water, and was so happy in her element with her Daddy.

When she wasn't frolicking with Daddy, she could often be found tagging along after the Big Girls, cousin Catie and friend Julianne, both age 8. Catie is a wonderful and loving older cousin; although they only see each other about once each year, Catie and Maisy have a special cousin bond.

Maisy and Catie at the beach on our first morning.
Maisy was so excited to go to the beach, she was still in her pajamas!

Catie and Maisy at the beach another afternoon.

When Julianne was there, too, Maisy was in little girl heaven. How she loved being with the Big Girls! When she woke up in the morning, one of the first things she would ask was to see "my girls", and she followed them happily just about anywhere. Judy got the girls matching t-shirts, which was adorable.

Julianne, Maisy and Catie in their Duck, NC shirts.

It was a pretty wonderful week, with two great families. We definitely want to return!