Sweet North Carolina

We made a family vacation out of a business trip to North Carolina. We got to see our friends Luke, Alicia, and Jordan, get some sun and sand, and Southern BBQ, and the kids and I stayed busy with fun activities while Del worked. What a beautiful part of the country! I must say that the heat and humidity was smothering! I thought it got humid in Chicago! We flew in to Raleigh for a couple of days, then drove down to Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington.

We had a few adventures, and I learned some good lessons. I thought I would be brave and take my kids to the hotel pool by myself because Del was just a few minutes from meeting us there after work. Within the first five minutes of walking into the pool area, I was letting go of Georgia's hand on the pool steps to save a drowning Wally. When I turned to pull him back to the steps, Georgia was already completely under the water because she took a step off the stairs. I felt like I was moving in slow motion trying to swim to my kids in the water to help them. Especially being pregnant, and dragging Wally behind me. A lady jumped from the hot tub into the pool and grabbed Georgia after my terrified scream. I still get sick in my stomach thinking about both Wally and Georgia sinking in the pool. Del found us all in a wet, crying heap on the hotel room floor. No more deep water with almost four kids six and under after that. I guess I am a mean mom for a reason when I say I won't take my kids to open swim by myself. I am sub- consciously just smart!

Eating a BBQ style lunch with Luke and Jordan.

A super fun part of the trip was when, while cruising along in our rental car, we suddenly found ourselves with a blown engine on a busy road on a very hot day. So that we would not pass out from the heat, I moved the kids out of the road to the side walk, where I had a frustrating conversation with the rental car company, frequently interrupted by call transfers, and me yelling at my kids to sit back down so they would not run out into the road. It finally ended with me calling Alicia to come save us, and getting an upgrade to functioning SUV.

Don't they look bored?

Don't I look chipper?

Doesn't that car look like trouble waiting to happen? Should have known.


Walking the pier at Wrightsville Beach.


Our tour of the Battleship North Carolina. I would be a horrible sailor. I was fighting claustrophobia throughout the entire tour. It took me by surprise how fast it set in when we started moving down into the hot ship. It was interesting to get a look though.


There was a real wild alligator hanging out in the swampy shade off the side of the ship. Scary.


The train ride at the Museum of Science in Durham.



Let me see your Dinosaur Roar!


The ever photogenic Luke and Alicia.


I promise the boys were with us at the beach on the day we took them in their swimming suites. They were just never out of the waves long enough to get a good picture. By the way, I love the Atlantic Ocean beaches! Nice and sandy and clean, at least at Wrightsville.


My guys.


Me and Georgie. I would show the picture taken right after this when Georgia hit me on the head with the boat, and I laughed, but when I was editing it, Will came in and said that it was a picture of Mom's big teeth, and that didn't sound too flattering, so it didn't make the cut.


Alicia and I decided to take the kids to the beach for a peek at the water the evening we got to Wilmington. The peek at the water turned into a full on swim, as we pretty much knew would happen. The guys met us there after work. I was glad to see Del show up after the hotel pool incident.



So excited!


Del showed up prepared for a business deal on the beach. But isn't he handsome?




A lovely time was had by all. I learned I need a lot more time in North Carolina to see all there is to offer! Plantations, and all of the scenic area around Biltmore House on the Western end of the state would be amazing! We won't call this goodbye, North Carolina, just until next time! We flew home for just enough time to do the laundry, re-pack, and catch a flight to Salt Lake City! More vacation pictures to come!