Outer Banks Beach Trip

Ever since we moved to Charlottesville three years ago we've been hearing about how great Outer Banks North Carolina is and every year we've wanted to go check it out but never have. Last week with Toby and Alesha and a huge group of our friends we finally went. I must say it lived up to all the hype. It was beautiful.

One of the greatest parts of all was a the rockin' deal we got on this place. It was so nice fully equipped with a heated pool, hot-tub, game rooms, movie rooms, two kitchens, elevator...it was awesome. A big thanks to our friends who planned the whole thing and did a great job at making it super affordable.

It is the off season so the beaches were barren, but the water was still surprisingly warm.

We climbed up to the top of a light house by our place and the view was spectacular!

Here's the view from the light house. You can see our beach house in this shot.It was Lincoln's first time to the beach and I think he liked it.

One day we went to Kitty Hawk and visited the Wright Brothers Monument. For those of you like me who need a little brushing up on there US History and don't remember who the Wright Brothers are, they were the first people to successfully invent and fly an airplane and Kitty Hawk is were it happened. It was actually really cool. They had little markers exactly where the first plane took off and landed and a nice visitors center with a massive replica of that initial plane. We also listened to a very passionate tour guide explain all about the details how that flight came to be. It was very educational.

Lincoln Flying in front of the replica.

Later that day we hiked up the tallest Sand dunes on the East Coast. Some how they look flat in these pictures, but they were actually really tall. It was cool. There were lots of people flying kites and the weather was really beautiful.

Toby and Alesha treated us to this super swanky restaurant right on the beach for dinner. It was pretty awesome.It was a great way to end the summer.

Upon a Mountain Top

Carter Mountain is a beautiful Orchard up on top of the mountain in Charlottesville. It has a fun little store that serves home-made dounuts and apple cider and all sorts of treats. All year long you can go up and pick fruit whether it’s apples or peaches or pumpkins or whatever. It’s beautiful and so fun to go to with friends and family. Kind of silly, but I always really wanted to have a baby in Charlotteville so I could go up there with him. I'd been up dozens of times with friends and their babies and wished I'd had one so badly for myself, so this time up was really sort of monumental for me. We took Alesha and Toby there and had a great time.

Alesha and Toby got Lincoln the cutest UVA Beenies and Socks. They really spoiled us this trip with all sorts of little gifts. Thanks guys!!

Poor Lincoln....we had him staring straight up into the sun in this shot.

U2 Concert

When Ryan told me he was going to invite his sister Alesha and her husband Toby to come visit us and go to the U2 concert all the way from Boise, Idaho, I was doubtful that they really would but to my surprise they accepted the invitation! Not only did they come spend a week with us out East, Alesha drove all the way from Boise to Charlottesville with Ryan. I was so relieved when she offered because I was incredibly nervous for him to do it by himself. Thanks Alesha!!

The concert was awesome! It was outside at the UVA football stadium. The stage and screen were unbelievable.

US and Alesha and Toby

We meet some of our law school friends there and sat with them. I love these guys. We had so much fun with them. From left to right - Desiree, Chuck, Danielle, Brad, Ryan and me.

Ryan also found some Med school friends. I'm pretty sure half of Charlottesville and UVA was at the concert.

Lincoln's Nursery

A boy this cute deserves an equally cute nursey. I tried my best and here's what I came up with.

I love Lincoln's nursey. It is my new "happy place". And to think Ryan wanted to keep his bikes and desk in there. That was one battle I had to win. My mom was incredibly instrumental in the whole decorating process so a big Thanks to you mom! Kate inspired the Lincoln letters by making the second "L" for me and I think they turned out great. Mom painted the table blue, and those are Lincolns tiny little hands and feet from the first week he was born.

Remember how stressful it was trying to hang those shelves mom! But look how great they turned out. The rocking chair is the only thing that doesn't really match....but I got it for free on loan from a friend for the year and it's super comfortable and works great, so I can't complain.

The piggy bank is my favorite!

I love the rug, bedding, and big blown up pics of Link. Can you spy him in this pic? I love how he's smaller than the monkey.

I love you Link a Bink!!