Kid's first trip to the Beach!

One of the most exciting things about our move to North Carolina has been knowing we will be close to both mountains and the ocean!

So it didn't take us very long to pack up supplies and make our way the 2 hours away to the beach!

We were all really excited, Dustin and I hadn't been to the beach since Hawaii, and the kids had never been at all!! The drive out just couldn't go faster!

We first tried to go to Wilmington beach, but since it was a Saturday we drove around for an hour and couldn't find any parking less than a mile away, so we decided to drive up the shore a way to Carolina Beach. We spent far too much time driving around there also, before finally finding a spot by a house a couple blocks from a beach entry spot!!

We scurried to the beach in a hurry, all so eager to feel the sand between our toes. We set up camp, and everyone ran to the water.

The kids were ever so eager to splash and play, or so they thought. It took Darren all of 3 seconds to realize he wasn't a huge fan of the waves, and HATED the feeling they gave him when he looked down as they went back out. His over enthusiastic run away from the ocean was a sight to see.

Kyra was also not too enthused with the ocean at first. Maybe it was too cold, or just to strong, but she wasn't sure about it. So we set up camp in the wet sand to makes some sand castles.

Darren was in heaven, what boy wouldn't be, given permission to sit in dirt and play for an hour. He enjoyed his beach time and we only tried one more time to encourage him to go in the water, which ended in tears. Maybe next time. Kyra on the other hand, along with a trusting hand of Dad was more willing to play in the water and enjoyed racing the waves, looking for seashells and helping Dad catch a little crab.

We all had so much fun, and after a couple hours were ready to head for a snack, and ice cold drink and head back home!

We can't wait until our next trip to the beach!!

Traveling with Kids: Air Balloon Show in Fuquay-Varina, NC

This was such a fun festival to be a part of. We got up at 4 am (way to early for me), packed for the 45-60 min trip, woke the kids, and we were on our way. In case you are wondering, very little is open that early in the morning so we headed to Fuquay-Varina empty bellies and eager minds.

The drive was actually really fun, there wasn't a trace of traffic, and we got to enjoy the sunrise on our way there. After arriving and finding a place to park, we raced off to the event before the balloons took off without us.

The kids were so excited once they realized what was going on and we got a close up view of the Re-max balloon being taken out and blown up. It was a really cool learning experience and the man holding one of the ropes to the balloon was super awesome telling us how things worked, and exactly what the Air Balloon Competition was and how it worked.

So the race was, in the field we were standing in there was a target and a lead balloon. The lead balloon had a banner hanging off of it. The other balloons were set up in a field behind some trees. Once the lead balloon was up the others were able to start blowing their balloons up and take off. They had to then proceed to our field, and drop "dart" for lack of better word, onto the target. They would be awarded points for accuracy. This brought some of them very close to landing to get their aim right.

After dropping their dart they had to follow the lead balloon to the next target, and proceed to do the same thing. I am unsure how many targets there were. But then they were also awarded points for being the quickest to finish the course.

We watched them all drop their first darts, but since the rest was located further away we adventured to check out the stands. Unfortunately, nothing else opened for a few hours, and I knew by then the kids would be too tired to walk around. So we made our way home, but we all had so much fun going to the show! And can't wait til next year.

The guy in the yellow was the helpful guy from Re-max.

The lead balloon.

My favorite balloon!

So funny story here. The Re-max balloon was tied down as they were a sponsor balloon. When they tied it down at first Kyra freaked out she thought it was going to be lifted up by the balloon. haha.

Cool view from right below :)

All the balloons coming down to hit the target.

So bumping balloons isn't dangerous, only if the baskets bump.

#spotthewonder

For a fun video that goes along with the story check out this video we made for our Youtube channel also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFv5nmwKSoc

31 things we are excited about Texas

31 things I'm excited for Texas:

1. Internet that works!!!

2. Target! And maybe secretly Walmart.

3. Chain restaurants

4. Mexican food

5. Country radio stations

6. Closer to family

7. Cowboy boots!!

8. New cities to explore

9. Things open 24/7

10. Going camping

11. Geocaching

12. Speaking English 

13. Mail delivered quickly and to my door

14. Parking

15. Going fishing 

16. Signing Kyra up for classes

17. Free bathrooms

18. A backyard

19. Dirt road driving

20. Bluebells

21. Hunting

22. Pay at the pump

23. Paying with credit cards

24. Music videos!!! (No gema)

25. Decorating a new house

26. Rodeos

27. Sporting events

28. Texas BBQ

29. Swimming in lakes

30. Cheaper car insurance

31. New friends  

Idstein Hexenmarkt

Yay, another sorta travel blog. Well it is if you don't live here in Germany. But for us it was only a 15 min drive!

We are always looking for fun new adventures and that will never end for us you will always get travel blogs from me and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!!

This weekend we were back to Idstein which you may remember from Christmas Time as being a major favorite of ours. Well we saw an article about them having a Hexenmarkt. Which is essentially a mid evil festival. Either way it was super cool. The amount of detail they put in to these Markets always blows my mind. From actual blacksmiths, to the smallest details of covering street signs with burlap to make them disappear!!

The witching tower! Its old and its cool but wasn't actually used during the witch trials like you would think.

Walking their pet Ferret

How cool are those? I almost got one but glad I waited and got the Journal!

Kids Jousting 

Hand cranked merry-go-round

Pet Owl

Mmm oven cooked pizza

Troll or Witch...not sure.

Broom Parking