Michael and Megan Get Hitched

Friday was once again a beach day, which was amazing because the water had calmed down and we could actually get it.  I can't say I spent a long time in the ocean...it was freezing...but at least we waded in a few times!  We also took a little walk down the beach to check out the condemned houses.  Can you believe there was once a road in front of these houses?  The ocean took that for it's own many years ago.  These poor homeowners!!!  The city has condemned the houses, but the insurance companies won't pay out one penny until the ocean claims them.  It's just a waiting game.

In the end the wind was too strong and we packed up our gear and headed back to the house right around lunch.  Which was great, because we had friends coming that evening and we needed to tidy up the beach house.  Kevin's college buddy Wes, and his girlfriend and her daughter, came down from Virginia Beach for the weekend and our Bible study friends John and Elena came on down from Raleigh as well.  We went from two to a full house!

Kevin and Wes cooked burgers on the grill for dinner and we spent the dusk hour playing bocce around the house before it got too buggy and we had to go inside.  We spent the evening chatting in the house and catching up...that's where the memories are made!

Saturday was WEDDING DAY!  We woke up to a full breakfast of bacon and eggs, delish!  Thanks Christina!  As John and Elena left for their adventure and the rest of the crew headed out to the beach, I finished my book and putzed around the house before getting myself ready.  I had the honor and privilege of taking Hayden, my best friend's daughter, to get her hair done to be the flower girl in Michael and Megan's wedding.  I was super nervous to drive with her in the car.  I'm a cautious driver anyway, but I was very aware I had precious cargo in tow.

We went over to Hairoics in Kill Devil Hills and got pampered!  Hayden was a little shy when she got in the car, but as soon as we got in the salon, she opened right up.  Here's my pre-hair entertainment!

Hayden's never gotten her hair done before, so I could tell by her quietness in the chair that she was nervous and taking in every single movement the hairstylist made.  She looked so grown-up and has to be the prettiest flower girl I've ever seen!  We may have a few inside jokes just from our salon experience.  I can't tell, but the funny is responsible for the big smiles in these pictures!

After loading her up in the car, it was off to Manteo to meet up with the wedding party.  However, first we took a pit stop in front of Jockey's Ridge to check out the kite festival going on that weekend.  Hayden was excited to spot the different kites. 

We got into Manteo and after fighting for a parking space (there was a festival going on), I delivered Hayden to the salon with the girls and then headed back to the beach house to get changed and pick up my hubby.  Then it was off to the wedding at the Aquarium in Manteo. 

The ceremony was outside on a covered dock and was perfect!  Megan and Michael said "I Do"!

Found another turtle friend...what can I say?

The cocktail hour included free reign of the aquarium.  It was fun to take our time checking out all the animals.

The reception was in the shark room.  It was pretty amazing to watch these large fish swim by as we enjoyed dinner (from the Black Pelican), good drinks, and great conversation with friends.

After the toasts, cake cutting, the first dance and some intense dancing with my buddy Hayden, we ate cake.  I don't know if it was the massive amounts of food I was eating, but my skirt was WAY too tight and we had to call it a night earlier than we would have liked because I was miserable and feeling super icky!

Congrats Michael and Megan!  We wish you many years of happiness and we were so honored to be part of your special day!!

Sunday we packed up the house as fast as we could and drove on over to Stack'em High Pancakes for breakfast.  It was delicious!!  After a quick bathroom break at Jeanette's Pier, it was time to hit the road for home.

Vacations are never long enough.  It was so hard to leave the relaxing beach, but I was beyond pumped to sleep in my own bed that night.  There's no place like home!