Wal-Mart!

After four years of anticipation, Wal-Mart is finally here! Apparently there isn't a bigger Wal-Mart on the entire east coast. I tried so hard to get the entire store in the picture, and couldn't do it. We are thrilled that this is a "Super" Wal-Mart, and we will be able to purchase groceries (even produce!) that are the best prices around. Although we didn't purchase any groceries today, we did buy Abigail a "sleep sack" to keep her warm, a Leap Frog video "Letter Sounds" (thanks, Fibia, for the recommendation), and - of course - a Cars movie car "Crew Chief Doc Hudson". Come to think of it . . . maybe a Wal-Mart 1 mile away isn't going to save us any money after all.

Isaac really liked the new Wal-Mart. He kept on asking if we were at the mall. There was an arcade room, where Isaac and Keith pretended to play the game . . . I don't think Isaac knew he wasn't really playing.

Family Pictures cont. . .

Family Pictures cont. . .

Family Pictures, cont. . .

Family Pictures

Before we went on vacation, we had family pictures taken. Here are some of my favorites! (of course, I think Isaac's were some of the best : )

Pun'kin Pie!

Isaac helped Mommy make pun'kin pie! Mommy needed help, especially because she had never made a pun'kin pie before (aside from the frozen variety).

We all enjoyed pun'kin pie for dessert (only after Keith made a special trip to the grocery store for whipped cream). Yum!

Carving our "pun'kin"

As you can see, Isaac was very excited to carve our "pun'kin" on Saturday. In this picture, he is helping Keith pull out the seeds.

Isaac also helped by pulling out the pun'kin pieces after Daddy carved.

The finished product.

Our pun'kin is a very happy pun'kin.

Isaac is a big boy now!

This week held an important first in Isaac's life: he went pee-pee and poo in the potty for the first time ever! I was so proud of him, especially considering that when we started potty training last week he had no idea what to do. We celebrated with high fives, dancing, a phone call to Daddy at work, and of course chocolate. He receives chocolate chips for pee, and a Cadbury egg for poo. When he starts using the potty regularly, I suppose we'll have to wean him off rewards . . . but for now there's nothing wrong with a little extra motivation. Isaac is on his way big boy status . . . it may take awhile longer, but we're off to a good start. (Thanks Nana for Isaac's new p.j.'s in above pic! He loves them!)

Potty Training

I don't think Isaac will appreciate this picture when he gets older, or me for posting it for all to see! This week marks a new milestone in our home . . . the beginning of potty training. Isaac realized on vacation that both David and Ethan made use of the potty, and has a desire to try, so here we go! He picked out the Elmo potty seat at Babies R'us and as you can see he still thinks it is a new toy. So far, no success, but we'll keep trying.

Heading Home

The night before we left Duck, N.C., the adults played one last game of Settlers while enjoying Edwards Key Lime Pie (or was it Edwards chocolate peanut butter pie? We enjoyed both. No wonder Keith and I both gained weight!). Settlers and Edwards Key Lime Pie is a vacation tradition for three years now!

One last pic in front of the beach house before going home. We've been home for a week now and we still wish we were at the beach! Isaac particularly misses the beach house . . . as we drove home from church last week, Isaac informed me that "Igee's house is too little," and that he wanted to go back to the beach house, or go to another favorite place, "Aunt Fibeeba's" house.

OBX: Day 7 . . . Dave, Keith, and Derek catchin' waves

OBX: Day 7 . . . Isaac boogie boards for the first time!!

OBX: Day 7 . . . Abby Jane's first dip in the ocean

OBX: Day 6 . . . My sweet girl

OBX: Day 6

Tired, but happy to be together!

OBX: Day 6 . . . Brother and Sister

OBX: Day 6 . . . Jockey's Ridge

Tonight we visited a state park called Jockey's Ridge. Jockey's Ridge is a park with huge dunes that many hang glide off of . . . from the tall dunes you can see the ocean on one side, and Currituck Sound on the other side. We went to the park so that we could watch the sunset over the sound. Isn't the sunset beautiful!?!

Our little family.