Consistently Inconsistent

Okay, so in my last post I wrote that I would be posting more often and then I disappear for two weeks.  That's me...consistently inconsistent!

But, I have a good excuse for being incommunicado.  Really.  I do. 

We spent last week in the Outer Banks for our annual family vacation.  Oh sure, I could have posted while we were away, but that would have probably involved staying awake past 9 pm!

We had a wonderful week.  Almost all of the family was together, the weather was beautiful, the house was wonderful, and did I mention our baby turned 6 while we were way?????  Can you believe it?  I know I can't!

Obviously, this was our first trip to the Outer Banks in more than 20 years without Dad...and you know what?  We did okay.  Of course, we all missed Dad terribly. I know I wasn't the only one who half expected to find Dad standing near the coffee pot when I walked into the kitchen each morning.  Even though Dad wasn't there with us...in many ways...he was.

In fact, both he and Mom were there - evidenced by the love of family they instilled in each of us and the traditions we continue to keep that love alive.

Uncle Ed making Dad's traditional first night of vacation spaghetti and meatball dinner...and even wearing Dad's shirt!

Lily turned 6 on our second day of vacation.  At this point, Lily thinks her birthday is synonymous with vacation.  I don't know what the poor thing will do if she has to spend her birthday at home one year!

Again, this year we went to Lily's "favorite restaurant" for her birthday.  Of course, the title of "favorite restaurant" rest solely on the fact that up until this year Lily *LOVED* their strawberry smoothie.  This year - not so much.  Should be interesting to find out where Lily wants to have dinner next year.

Although very much was different about this year's vacation so much was the same. We ate great food, drank yummy drinks, laughed until our sides hurt, and enjoyed just being together.

Lily loved and was loved on by her big cousins all week. Sadie is spending the summer in Montana and Charlie was at Boy Scout camp so, unfortunately, they weren't able to join us. We hope to have all the cousins under one roof next year!

I could go on and on about our wonderful week, but what's that expression about a picture being worth a thousand words???

So, how much are a thousand pictures worth??? You decide.

If you're still with me I imagine you have more than reached photo overload!! So, I'll end with one last picture of our sassy six year old modeling her Aunt Baba's hat.