Bill and I left for a huge family vacation on Friday, July 3rd @ 5 am. There were 20 family members that left, which means we took 5 vechiles. We stopped in Jasper to eat breakfast @ Shoney's. After that, it was the open road! We drove all the to Richmond, VA, which is where we were staying that night. We got there around 6, went to eat at Max and Erma's and called it a night.
On Saturday the 4th, we got up and were on the road by 7 am. We drove about 3 hours and reached the Outer Banks, NC around 10:30. I was the only one in our vechile that had never been there before so we just drove around and saw most of the places that I have heard about from previous stories. We went to Art's, which is a bar and grill that is right across the street from our beach house, for a light lunch. Everyone else arrived and came to Art's as well. We thought we wouldn't be able to get into our beach houses until that afternoon, but because no one stayed in it the week before, we got in earlier. Bill and I went with my mother-in-law, sister Erin, and neice Breanna to Wings to get some beach items before we got into our house. Once we got back, most of the kids put their suits on and got in the ocean. Bill decided to get into the water, but I decided to wait until the next day. We ordered pizza that night, which is one of the best pizzas that I have ever had!!! We ended the night by sitting on the beach and watching fireworks.
Clayton, Bill, and Matthew
Fireworks on the beachThe next day was a cloudy, rainy day. Bill and I went to play putt-putt with Bill's cousin's wife, Leslie and son Lane. It was fun, especially since I won!!! After playing putt-putt, we ran to KMart, Wings, and Brew Thru. It rained the rest of the day, which was a bummer. We made roast that night for supper and Bill and I took a bunch of the kids to get ice cream.
It was another cloudy day on Monday the 6th. I decided that I was going to let that ruin my vacation and layed out anyway. I actually got in the ocean quite and bit and it was fun! Bill and the kids made it fun. We did that most of the afternoon and then took a little nap before showering and getting ready. We all ate supper at the Jolly Roger that night and most of the women headed to Wings for a little shopping-I think I went to Wings almost everyday!
Bill and some of the kids in the ocean
The Twins! This wasn't planned!
The Fab Four: Erin, Matthew, Breanna, and Clayton
We finally got a beautiful day on Tuesday the 7th. It was a great day to lay out and get some rays. I definately got to relax and enjoy the beach and ocean, which is what I had been wanting to do for so long!!! Bill and I went to lunch with his cousin Tony and wife Sheila. We then returned to the beach before taking a short nap (naps are a part of relaxing on vacation!), eating supper, and going to play putt-putt with everyone. It took quite a while for all of us to play, but it was fun, even thought I lost this time!
Sisters: Erin and I playing putt-putt
Love my husband!
Sisters: Erin and I playing putt-putt
Love my husband!
Another beautiful day appeared on the next day. More laying out and enjoying the ocean. Most of the guys went to a minor league baseball game, so the women went out to eat at the South Beach Grill. After eating, we went shopping, of course.
It was a cloudy day on Thursday the 9th. Marsha, Hap, Erin, and Breanna decided to go around town and visit some places, so Bill and I decided to go with them, since there wasn't any beach weather! We went to quite a few places, Wings of course, and ate lunch at the Black Pelican, where I had the best french fries that I have ever had! When we got back, Bill and I decided to take a short nap, since it was a perfect day for it. We had spaghetti for supper and played cards most of the night. I won again!
Friday the 10th was our last day there. We thought it was going to be an awful day because it started out cold and really windy. We just hung around the house and finally that afternoon, the skies cleared and the sun came out. I layed out for a little while, but not as much as I wanted too! After taking showers and getting ready, Bill and I did most of our packing so we wouldn't have to do it late that night. We all went out on the last night to Port O Call. We came back and helped clean up and then it was early to bed.
Bill and I on our last night at the beach
We left @ 7 on Saturday the 11th. I was sad to leave, but I was ready to go home too. I love vacations, but I'm always ready to go home near the end-there is just nothing like home. We made a couple of stops and finally got home around 10. I did some unpacking, but then crashed. I was exhausted!
The next day was church and just relaxing. I started the mounds of laundry, which took forever. The next week was filled with work. But after work Thursday, Bill and I left again and headed to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for our first anniversary. I have every other Friday off, so it worked out great. We got to our cabin around midnight and crashed. I had been up for almost 24 hours and couldn't stay awake anymore!!!
We slept in the next until 9:30-man I hadn't done that in a long time. We got ready and went to Gatlingburg to explore things that we could do. We decided to do things in Gatlingburg the next day and headed back to Pigeon Forge. Once we got back, we ate lunch and headed to the outlets. We got a few things while we were there. We then headed to Walmart to pick up a few things for supper that night. Bill thought it woule be a smart thing to fix supper one night and not spend so much money on food. Although we had to pack all of the food, it was a good idea. Once we got back, we started on supper. We grilled hamburgers, made fried zucchini (my favorite), corn on the cob, green beans, and fried potatoes. Most of the food was from the garden, so Bill was very proud! It was such a good meal, but very filling! After supper, we went to play putt-putt. Bill and I are so competitive so we always try to beat each other, but somehow we tied! It was crazy! It was appropriate since we were celebrating our marriage and marriage is all about being fair and equal to each other. We also did a few other things while we were out. We got back to the cabin and decided to get in the hot tub. I had never been a fan of hot tubs, but this one was amazing. It was so relaxing and relived tension in my back and shoulders. We might be getting one someday!
On Saturday the 18th, we got up early and got ready. We wanted to get to Gatlinburg early to beat some of the crowd. We had a blast there. We visited Cooter's Garage (from Dukes of Hazard), Ripley's Aquarium, rode on the Sky Life (our favorite), Wax Museum, ate lunch @ Bubba Gump's, and Car Museum. We went back to the cabin and got ready. We ate supper @ Calhoun's and went to a magic show. Yes, I said magic show. My husband is such a kid at heart and wanted to go to a magic show so bad. I wasn't thrilled about it, but decided we could since he wanted to go so bad. Once we got there I didn't want to be there, but Bill was so excited. I couldn't help but laugh and just smile. After the magic show, we went back to our cabin and got in the hot tub again, since we loved it so much! Here are some pictures!
Shark at the Ripley's Aquarium
Stingrays
Bill and I on the Sky Lift
Bill with Forrest Gump, right after eating @ Bubba Gumps
Loving on my Jeffie
Bill with a car from the Dukes of Hazard
View from the balcony at our cabin
Our amazing cabin
On Sunday the 19th, our anniversary, we got up, got ready, packed, and left for home. We got home around 5 and I finished some forms for work. We ate some leftover from Friday night and enjoyed the top part of our cake from our wedding. Although it wasn't as fresh, it was still pretty good and definately brought back memories from our special day. We had a great time in Gatlingburg and plan on going back sometime.
The next week was full of work. It is hard getting back into a routine when you have been gone, especially for the length of time that we were. I know that I still have more to update on, but I don't want this post to be too long. So hope you enjoy this one and I'll be back to update on the rest of the month!!!
Blessings and Love,
Whitney
