Hi guys! We are back in DC after a wonderful week with Matt’s family and family friends at the beach in the Outer Banks in North Carolina. It’s always one of my favorite weeks of the year, and this year was no exception!
It’s so fun to get the whole gang together – although this year we missed Morgana, my sister-in-law, as she was tied up with work! She’s actually going to be performing in a dance show in DC over the next few weeks, though, so we will get to see her soon. 🙂
This year was really special because we got to introduce Riese to so many new experiences! We think she is an extrovert like her mama because she seemed really happy with all the people and action going on all week. Her cousins were also so sweet with her – they loved holding her and were good about being gentle. 🙂
I’m going to do a few beach recap posts because I have so many photos from the week. Let’s start with the food highlights, and tomorrow I’ll talk about the fitness adventures! Next week I’ll also have one more beach recap post for you featuring one of our huge group dinners in more detail because it was a really good one.
We stayed in a big house with all of Matt’s family, and there was another house a few doors down of good family friends. We ate in almost every night since it was easier than going out with all the kids involved. For most of the dinners each house did their own thing, but twice we got together as the whole big group – once at our place and once at the other house.
One of my favorite dinners was early on in the week – cedar plank salmon cooked on the grill. Matt’s dad marinated it in some lemon juice, olive oil, dill, and Old Bay. So good!
Served with a quick pickled cucumber and onion salad, tomato pie (purchased locally from one of the farmer’s markets – so good), cinnamon baked sweet potatoes, and sauteed chard. Yummmmmm.
On July 4th we had a big joint BBQ with the other house. Delicious! I had a burger and a hot dog (topped with kraut + mustard). Plus some really good rice and bean salad, and some baked beans.
July 4 family photo attempt that Riese was not super into because it was bed time. 🙂
We did go out to eat one night – every year we do a night where the grandparents are in charge of the babies/kids and the parents all go out. A nice treat! This year we went to Sunset Grill, which lived up to its name.
The views made up for the food, which was good but not as good as the prices they charge (must be that view!). I had two appetizers for my meal – a beet salad and a quinoa and tuna poke bowl. We also shared some oysters to start.
Breakfasts were standard so I didn’t get photos – I usually did toast with nut butter and yogurt and fruit. Although one day we had a pancake feast (made into fun shapes for the boys)!
For lunches, we did a lot of sandwiches (unpictured/eaten by the pool) and leftover salads.
I will end this post with a photo of Duck Donuts. 🙂 Had to do it – a classic!
I’ll be back tomorrow to share some of our fitness/outdoorsy adventures while at the beach. Stay tuned!
