Nags Head and New Year's

This past week we were able to tag along with our friends, Greg and Joy, on a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It was a relaxing vacation (as relaxing as it gets with six children under six) and a fun time for all. Their girls seem to be a calming force on our testosterone-heavy brood. While there Greg introduced us to the world of Rock Band, we visited the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, saw the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and roasted marshmallows around a bonfire on the beach.

We caught this shot in the 30 seconds all 5 were entertained by Playdough.

With Brian and I on drums and bass, it was more of a comedy act than a band.

All the kiddos.

Claire and Grant petting the sting rays.

My two astronauts (Bryce and Grant at the Wright Brothers Museum).

Bryce standing at the monument. He is holding a photo of the monument.

Our two fams.

Roasting marshmallows for s'mores. DE-li-cious!

We came back from the beach in time for our fifth annual New Year's Eve dinner at the Japanese steakhouse with our friends Sandy and Juliana. We started this tradition back when we each had only one child. We enjoyed a kid-free evening (except for Davis) while Grant and Bryce spent the night wtih Grammy and Pappy and Carter received some individual attention at Gramma and Granpa's. After dinner we went to Sandy and Juliana's house for football and movies until the ball dropped. It was a fun time with good friends and to top it all off, their neighbors set off fireworks when the clock struck midnight. It was a surprisingly good show! It was a fun way to close out 2008. We look forward to seeing what God has in store for us in 2009.