Toes in the water!

**This post is out of order but I realized that I never posted and pictures of our picture-perfect weekend away in late May.  We enjoyed a wonderful weekend with Eric, Amy and Brady and Kade and Mary Margaret about six weeks ago.  The pictures are so great...I had to share!**

We traveled to Emerald Isle at the end of May.  We were lucky to be able to meet up with a few of our favorite people for a kid-free weekend in a fabulous ocean front house.  Yes....friends, relaxation and the ocean just a few steps away....and I nearly forgot to mention the pool, at the house!  Thanks to Eric for getting us a great deal at an awesome place.  He's the best!!  I should mention that Eric and Amy did bring Brady - so, not technically kid free - but, when you leave your own kids at home it seems kid free!  I enjoyed spending time with Brady and hope that despite our distance we will all be good buddies one day!  Brady is not mobile (yet!) and he doesn't have quite as much energy as Payton and Owen (yet!).  In due time, he will be a wild boy too....but, for this long weekend he was laid back and very easy going....if Payton and Owen had been along, it would have been a very different situation!  We were able to read books, talk without interruption, sleep late, go on long runs, sit at the pool and beach...yes, sit....completely still and we even enjoyed dinner without goldfish, potty breaks or meltdowns.  

A Mommy deer and her two babies

We were shocked to see a few deer living in the neighborhood and on the dunes.  For the 1st time ever, I saw a Mama deer feeding her babies, two of them, on the dunes in front of our house!

 We arrived late on Wednesday night - the kids were left in SC with Miss Rachel for one night and then Grandma and Grandpa came to watch them for the rest of the weekend.  We didn't do anything exciting but, as I stated above, it was so nice to just enjoy some quiet time with good friends.  We laughed and talked late each night and enjoyed sleeping in most days.  We ran on the beach each morning and explored a little of Emerald Isle - we found a few good restaurants and a great, local ice cream shop.  I didn't get too many pictures but I did enjoy playing with my camera on the beach....these pictures just scream relaxation.....aaahhhhhh!!!!

It is impossible to deny God's presence when you are surrounded by such beauty.  

We so thankful for good friends and even better weekends.  We look forward to lots of Webb-Hoots-Ross family vacations in the future.....with or without kids, it is sure to be a great time!  Twenty years from now, we'll still be laughing (or arguing) about the same old stories.....but that's what friends are for!!