Marshall Family Vacation

At the beginning of July (July 3rd-9th)  we spent about a week with Craig's whole family while his brother, Matt, his wife, and their five kids came to Va from Colorado for a visit.  We spent two night at Craig's parents river house, and then went straight from there to a beach house in the outer banks of North Carolina that Ben and Pam had rented for everyone to stay in.  It was a lot of fun, and the kids had a blast with their cousins!

Here is what we were up to at the river:

Craig and I took Isaac and his cousin, Donovan, on a canoe ride to the little island near the river house.  We searched for pirate treasure, but came up empty handed.

We watched fireworks... everyone was excited! 



And Isaac thought they were the coolest ever.  I love the pure joy on his face!

 
During each one he shouted "YESSSS!!!!"  What a boy.

 

 

Evie didn't have the easiest time sleeping.  Our sleeping arrangments were a bit tight, and Eve is not used to sharing a room with us, so this is what our bed looking like one morning... at least 2 out of the 3 of us could sleep comfortably!

Eve went on her first boat ride.  Ella came as well, and was very proper about the whole thing.

 And this handsome guy was there too.

Here are most of the big girls (missing from the group is Victoria, the oldest girl cousin)

More river house fun...

 Isaac took a ride on the wave runner with Grandma

...and Ella waited patiently for her turn.

After a couple of days at the river, we headed off to the beach!

What was supposed to be a 4 hour drive, ended up being more like a 7 hour drive because of traffic.  I'm not going to lie... it was pretty miserable.

But once we got there, the kids were in HEAVEN.  They spent the mornings at the beach, and the afternoons in the pool and the hot tub.  It was really so much fun for all.

Isaac spent a good amount of time on his Grandpa's lap.  Those two really love each other a lot. 

And Craig and I were even able to get out one night after the kids were in bed for a romantic stroll on the beach.  The sunset was gorgeous.

We had to head back before most of the families because Craig had to get back to work... but on our way we stopped by the sand dunes for a little hike up, and a run back down. They were really steep, but Ella got up all by herself without a problem, and so did Isaac!  They can do hard things.  Oh, and I climbed up with Eve strapped to my chest.  I can do hard things too!

Craig and the kids heading down... and yes, that is Isaac mid-fall.

It was such a fun little vacation, and we look forward to having the whole group together again next year!