Outerbanks Beach Trip

For the past few years, now, we’ve been taking an annual beach trip with my family. My brother, his wife, and children, and my parents all huddle together in a house somewhere on the sandy shores of the East Coast. This year, my dad chose Corolla. I grew up going to the Outerbanks, so it was so nice to be back. I love how isolated and quiet the beaches there are. All we did was swim in the pool, visit the beach, play games, and eat. I brought my computer, but hardly touched it. I tried to stay off of technology as much as I could. I wanted a real vacation. And as much as I love blogging and being connected via social media, it’s also my job. So to really be able to disconnect felt great.

I didn’t even take as many photos as normal. Even that felt kind of liberating. Although, I do love some good beach photos. Unfortunately, it was the year that Hazel didn’t like sand, so no beach pics of her, but Hallen and her cousin Bella loved jumping in the waves along the shoreline!

Hazel just got passed around from one hip to the next. I really thought she would like it, but maybe next year!

Two exciting things happened with our girls while we were there.

1. Hallen started swimming under water by herself! You may have seen my stories while we were there. She’s been in swim lessons with Aqua-Tots for a couple months now, so they’ve been teaching her how to go underwater and how to be safe in the water, but she started swimming unassisted! It was a really proud moment for both of us! (And remember if you’re in the Charlotte area, you can sign up at one of the three schools…use my name, and receive 10% off your first month’s tuition if you’re a new or returning client.)
2. Hazel started walking full time! She took her first official steps a couple months ago, but she’s now a full time walker. I was joking that I wouldn’t take her if she wasn’t walking by the time the trip came around, because I didn’t want her scooting in the sand or scratching her legs up on the concrete around the pool, so I guess she decided to listen and use her two sea legs while we were there!

Hallen and her cousin, Bella, had a blast together…and drove each other crazy, simultaneously, but that’s what 3.5 year olds do, right? They got to share a room, play all day together, and finish each day with a movie on the big TV there. They splashed in puddles from the storm, played on playgrounds, found seashells, and danced until they couldn’t dance anymore.

We had some great weather while we were there. A couple rainy, foggy days, but who doesn’t mind some cozy days inside a nice home while looking at the ocean? Since I’ve gotten older, I care less about being in the sun to get a tan, so a cloudy day at the beach is a lot better than one not at the beach, right?!

We found a DELICIOUS bagel shop called Lighthouse Bagels. It’s a must if you stay in Corolla. It was my first time staying in Corolla, and there’s definitely less to do than if you were to stay in Duck or Kitty Hawk, but I loved how low key it was. There was just enough. We didn’t need to go too many places anyways with 4 kids 3 years  and under! We were the crazy table.

There’s also a cute little deli/ wine shop just around the corner from Lighthouse Bagels called Bacchus. We were so sad to find this on our very last day there. I would have gone every day for a sandwich. It was delicious! And the owners are the absolute sweetest you’ll find anywhere.

It couldn’t have been a more perfect trip. I love spending uninterrupted time with family. It’s just good for the soul. I’m secretly hoping we go to the Outerbanks again next year 🙂

Shop our outfits below!