North Carolina, Day One and Two

Hello All,

I have learned that it is now difficult for me to be without my computer for a week!  Although I like the idea of "unplugging" and see the value of not feeling tied to a computer 24/7, I have to say that catching up with life after an 8 day computer hiatus is exhausting!  Phew!  So I'd like you all to pretend that it is still April 14th and we are on our way to North Carolina!

Noah jumped at the chance to see the cockpit.  The pilot was so cool....not only did Noah hang out with them - the pilot jumped out of his seat and gave Noah one instruction: "Just don't touch anything red!"  I hope he was just kidding.  I mean, tell a four-year-old not to touch something and it becomes the most desirable thing to touch in the whole world.

Now that would have been a story.  "We would have gone to North Carolina, but Noah touched the red button, and......"

Day Two.  Noah was up and out of bed and ready to go to the beach at 5:30 am.  We are not wearing socks - the first time since last September, I am sure.  Beautiful day.  You can see - it's almost like we have that beach to ourselves!  To folks in NC, I am sure it is still too early to play at the beach - but for us, it was like going from March to July in one day!

And this is what happens when Momma tells her little boy it is time to leave the beach:

We had another adventure coming our way, though.....Brad had offered to take us on a Pontoon Boat ride.  How awesome is that?  We met Cameron, Jonathan, Flora, Brenda, Jimmy, Seth & Ethan and Susan at Brad and Donna's house.  First, Noah got to collect some fresh eggs from Brad's chickens.

And away we go!  Here is Captain Noah and his two co-pilots:

Jonathan, Evelyn and Flora.

Seth, Susan and Jimmy

Brad, Ethan and Brenda

Wait!  Noah!  What is that behind your head?????
It is true.  We saw an alligator.  He was big.  Noah was pretty impressed and then, frankly, was ready to get far away from it.  "I think we need to go now..." was what he said.

Jonathan and Flora

Cousins!  Brenda, Brad, Faith and Susan

Cousins plus Evelyn :)

I am sorry to say that Noah sort of had a meltdown toward the end of the trip....Brad showing us here the many uses for a floatation device!  We had a little time out in a corner of the boat where Noah got some of his composure back.

Susan and Noah

Then, we all gathered back at Brad and Donna's for a BBQ.

Happy Eli with Jimmy