Trip Memories

We have just arrived home from our trip to the Outer Banks and we are longing to be back with the waves and the sun! This was our first officialy trip as a family (since the birth of our daughter, who is now 15 months old). The extended time together was refreshing and enjoyable, and it makes us appreciate simply being together as a family. Getting away from the daily grind of work, laundry, cooking, paying bills (uggh!!!), etc really helps to give a boost of energy to get back into it once arriving home.

We have so many great memories from this trip, some little and others big, but we'll never forget the fun we had. We traveled with 2 other couples (good friends from college) who have kids within months of our daughter. The guys had "guy time", talking Fantasy Football, being adventurous with the waves, and hanging out by the pool. The girls had our "girl time" in between chasing our toddlers, which included lounging by the pool and having some great catch up talk times.

But some of my favorite memories are the little ones......that included my little one. Watching her expression when she first saw and heard the waves crashing on the shore. Feeling her toes in the sand. Holding so tightly to a little shell she had found, which made it all the way back to Kansas City! Daddy and daughter laughing and playing on the top bunk. Flying on a plane with our daughter for the first time (and can I just say, she was an excellent little traveler! - Praise God!). My husband sitting on the couch reading a book to our daughter and another one of the kids, while both kids just sat content in just a diaper....how precious! Conversations about the goodness of the Lord in our lives and in our families. Walking to the beach at night as a family with A in a Kelty backpack, looking for night crabs. Visiting the sand dunes. Just being TOGETHER.

What are some favorite  memories you have from family trips you've taken? After all, it is the people, and not the destination, that makes your memories so great!