Emerald Isle, NC - 2008

Every year, Kenneth's dad's side of the family get together and rent a beach house on Emerald Isle for a week. By the end of the week there were 16 people staying in the house! We were there this year from June 29th until July 5th, and it was a week full of relaxation. I think I only left the house twice...once for my birthday dinner with Kenneth and once for a pedicure with all the girls. There was lots of reading and napping done by myself. I stayed out on the beach as long as I could, but it got pretty toasty...especially for me being fair-skinned AND pregnant. One day, Kenneth dug a hole in the sand so I could stick my belly in it and lay on my front, which is something I haven't been able to do in quite a while. It was delightful! The family also had an impromptu shower for us where they all gave us something they made - VERY cool! I meant to get a picture of all the things they made us, but I forgot, so I'll post that once I'm back home in Birmingham. We ate great food, read lots of books, played lots of games, and all-in-all had a wonderful time together. I'm looking forward to adding Michael into the mix next year! :o)

Our setup on the beach. I took this from the back porch of the house.

Kenneth and I after my 26th birthday dinner. (I was 32 weeks preggers in this picture.) Opening our handmade gifts at the family baby shower.
A smocked 12 month outfit that Pam is completing - it has sailboats on it! I'm not sure what was so funny...
A bib Kenneth's cousin, Kara, knitted.
A family game of Apples to Apples.

All the fancy feet after our pedicures.

A closeup of our setup...paradise.

It's hard to see, but Kenneth and his cousin, Travis, are playing horseshoes and Kenneth's dad ,Gary, and cousin, Elizabeth (whom we lovingly refer to as Beezer), are playing paddle ball.

Kenneth and me on the back porch on our last day... :o(