First in Flight

While at the Outer Banks we had the chance to visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial where Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully flew the first manned aircraft. We flew kites, hiked to the memorial and walked the track where the historical flight took place.

Kyle flying a kite made out of a garbage bag

At the memorial

Checking out the track.

What really struck me at the memorial was how many times the brothers failed before they found success. They were numerous setbacks and it was years working in some pretty harsh conditions until they were able to successfully fly their glider. I'm no aviation aficionado, but I was really impressed by their story and thoroughly enjoyed our time at the memorial.

In front of a replica of the historical plane.

(We saw the original at the Air and Space Museum in DC)

After successfully completing the Jr. Ranger program, Kyle was sworn in and given his badge.

What a day! Thank goodness this guy didn't have to drive us home...

If you ever find yourself at the Outer Banks, be sure to check out the Wright Brother's National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, NC.

Beach Boys

We spent a week at the Outer Banks, NC. It was beautiful! The boys loved playing in the sand and the surf and Marc and I enjoyed basking in the sun and listening to the rhythmic sounds of the ocean. I was so worried that I was going to be disappointed. After all, when you grow up in Hawaii you become somewhat of a beach snob. But the Atlantic Ocean won me over. The water was clear and refreshing, (Once you got past the breaking waves, you could see fish and even your feet!), the sand was soft and clean, and the waves weren't bad either. We bought a boogie board and Kyle spent an entire day riding the waves - that's my boy! :)

While it wasn't quite Makapu'u, here's a look at Kyle in action.

I have to admit, I was one proud mama! :)

Like Kyle, Sean loved playing in the ocean and spent hours charging the waves with help from mom and dad. Here's a glimpse of our little beach bum (pun intended).

It was a perfect vacation! There was so much to do at the Outer Banks (in the next few days I'll follow up with more posts on our other adventures) but hands down, my favorite time was spent on the beach.

Wish you were here!

Christmas Recap

Happy New Year! I should've posted before the New Year so our Christmas pictures aren't filed under January 2011. Oh well...should've, could've, would've! It would seem that a good New Year's Resolution for me would be to keep the blog current, but I'm not going to go there. I want to actually achieve my resolutions! :) Here are some of our favorite memories of Christmas 2010.

We had a white Christmas! Snow here in Wisnton Salem is rare, especially this much snow. (I'm told that the last white Christmas was in 1947.) The boys were ecstatic and I was surprisingly happy as well. Kyle and Sean were out in the snow for three days straight, sledding until there was nothing but grass!

After Christmas sledding, Kyle wanted to build a snowman, but Sean had had enough! We compromised and built a quick, mini-snowman. As you can see, Sean wasn't thrilled.

Kyle and I continued our annual tradition of gingerbread house making and Marc and Sean helped us with the tradition of gingerbread house eating.

Kyle sang with the cub scouts at our church talent show. Here is a horribly shaky video of the performance which keeps cutting off the boys' heads. (Their Cub Scout leader's car broke down so she wasn't there and I was attempting to record the performance, help the boys remember their lines and hold a wriggly 18 month old in my lap, all at the same time!) Nonetheless, it's pretty funny and Kyle's part is done within the first 30 seconds.

Finally, I leave you with this peaceful picture of our Christmas tree on Christmas morning. I took it right before the boys came down to open their presents - the calm before the storm.

I hope you had an enjoyable 2010 holiday season and wish you all the best in the New Year!

Thanksgiving Travels or "The Ridiculously Long Post that Probably Only Family Will Enjoy (And May Even Be Too Long for Them!)"

This year we decided to celebrate Thanksgiving by visiting Washington D.C. Here are some of the highlights:

As soon as we arrived, we put on our walking shoes. Our hotel (thank you Susan for hooking us up with such luxurious accommodations!) was only a ten minute walk from the National Mall so we set out on foot and avoided the traffic. We were told that the monuments were prettiest at dusk, and they didn't disappoint. I'm only sad that we couldn't get pictures of everything - the Vietnam memorial was particularly beautiful.

In front of the WWII memorial with the Washington Monument in the background.

Walking along the reflecting pool towards the Lincoln Memorial.

(I know this picture is fuzzy, but I love the way it looks!)

Admiring the Lincoln Memorial

After walking up and down the Mall, we were pretty beat. We headed back to the hotel to rest up for the next day. Thanksgiving Day was spent at the National Museums. We feasted on the exhibits at the National American History Museum and the National Air and Space Museum.

C3PO Costume

Julia Child's Kitchen

Michelle Obama's inaugural gown - it was so beautiful in person!

Vietnam War Helicopter

My favorite exhibit at the American History Museum was "The Star Spangled Banner". (Click on this link for pictures!) They had the actual flag that inspired our National anthem on display. It was huge and I was surprised at the sense of awe and reverence I had while looking at it.

Both boys LOVED the air and space museum! How could they not with all the cool planes hanging from the ceilings?!?

By the end of the day we were spent and ready for a Thanksgiving feast.

We headed to the wharf...

So fresh they are still moving! Kyle was mesmerized by the wriggling pile.

That evening we enjoyed a delicious, unconventional Thanksgiving feast of Atlantic blue crabs, steamed corn and freshly baked rolls.

Who says the Indian's didn't serve steamed crab?!?

On our last day we visited the National Building Museum. The kids were delighted to have some hands-on, down-time.

And it just so happened that they had a LEGO exhibit. Check out this recreation of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai made entirely of LEGOs!!!

AND they had a killer LEGO playroom...

After this it just couldn't get any better so it was time to head home. We didn't make it to the White House this time (the closest we got was driving past the front gate!), but did I mention that Kyle ran into President Obama at the food court in the Old Post Office?

Tee! Hee! (*wink* *wink*)

We had a wonderful time exploring our nation's capital city but we missed being close to friends and family this year. We hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving!

Halloween Treats

Another Halloween has come and gone! While we enjoy the last of our candy (all the chocolate is gone and we are sifting through Tootsie Rolls and sugary stuff), please enjoy the following visual treats.

Here are the boys getting ready to head out for Trick or Treat fun. We went trick or treating in one of Marc's colleague's neighborhoods with her children. The air was crisp and chilly and the kids crunched fallen leaves as we walked along winding roads. The trees made spooky outlines against the fading light in the evening sky as we climbed long, dark, driveways up to jack-o-lantern lit front doors. It was perfect!

Kyle decided to reprise his 2008 costume and dressed up as Indiana Jones. You would think that I'd been happy about a repeat costume choice, but we had gotten rid of the jacket and had to scramble to find a new one. But the Goodwill gods provided and I had one happy little boy.

We thought of dressing Sean up as one of the Kobra Kai Skeletons (remember "The Karate Kid"?) but even with the face paint, Sean was more of a cute skeleton than a scary one. Here he is trying to get some last minute inspiration for his costume.

The boys had a lot of fun on Halloween night. At first Sean just wanted to eat each piece as he received it, but after three or four houses he caught on and would shove his way up to the front of the pack of kids to get first pick at the candy bowl. Here he is with his haul and his mouth full of candy!

Not to be left out of the fun, I also dressed up this year.

Here I am as Lady Gaga from the beginning of her "Telephone" video. With so many different looks to choose from and so many great costumes, I was ultimately swayed by the coke can rollers and Gaga's look that reminded me of Madonna's Desperately Seeking Susan days.

Scary!

I went to a few places to find an actual pay phone for this picture, but it appears that they are extinct. So this cigarette poster and the seedy, gas-station fluorescent lighting will have to do.

I hope you all had just as much fun as we did this year!

Great to be Eight!

Last month Kyle turned eight.

He joined Cub Scouts

And yesterday, he was baptized.

I'm so proud of this little boy and the person he has become. He is energetic and curious, and does most things at 110%. He has a silly sense of humor (he loves America's Funniest Home Videos and Tom & Jerry) and yet he is sincere and kind. He is an excellent swimmer, master Lego builder and a great older brother.

We love you, Kyle!