atlantic beach day one

For the five years that we have lived in North Carolina, we have LOVED being so much closer to the beach (compared to Colorado where we lived prior).  We try to go to different beaches every year so that we can compare them all and we've already been to the northern part of the Outer Banks, the Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach area, and Myrtle Beach.  For our beach trip in August we headed to Atlantic Beach, just south of the Outer Banks, and part of the Crystal Coast.

Atlantic Beach is about five hours from our house so we didn't arrive until early afternoon.  It started pouring just as we pulled up to the hotel so we hung out in our room (and on our covered balcony) for a bit and waited for the storm to pass.

As soon as the rain stopped, the kids changed into their suits and we headed down to a fairly empty beach- I think most people left as soon as it started to rain!

Sweet Ben.  There were just a couple surfers out, but sadly, no big waves for them.

Nicholas

The kids spent the next few hours playing in the waves and having a great time.

Sweet kids.

Are the kids chasing the waves or is it the other way around?!

Our hotel was right next to a pier that people were fishing from.  I did not point out that if people were fishing (and catching!) from the pier, then there were probably lots of fish where the kids were swimming!

Fun in the water!

Even Jacob got in on the fun!  He went out with the boys and tried to teach them how to body surf.

One of my favorite things about North Carolina beaches is how clear the water is.  That, and the fact that there's no seaweed!!  Oh, and that the water is warm-- it was about 82 degrees!!

Lexie and Ben :)

While Lexie LOVES swimming at the pool, she wanted no part in the crashing waves at the beach.

Nick, on the other hand, thought getting slammed by waves was the best part.

Jacob FINALLY got Lexie into the water by assuring her that he would hold her the whole time and that her face didn't have to go underwater.

Christopher

Ellie enjoyed checking out the beach from the safety of either her stroller or being held.  She was fine when her toes were in the sand.

But definitely NOT fine when Jacob let a wave hit her legs.

The kids played in the water until the sun started to set.  We went back to the room so everyone could take a shower and then ordered a couple of pizzas for dinner.  All in all, it was a wonderful day at the beach!