Pics from Plata's Vacation in the Outer Banks of NC.

Hey,

We just got back from North Carolina - nicely tanned. We didn't do anything except relax all week - we're recharged. I wanted to post these pics while I was thinking about it. We lucked into a great rental directly on the beach at the last minute & liked it so much we reserved it for next year -same week. 6/21-6/28. It sleeps 18 so we have plenty of room for a crowd, if there are any takers at that time next year. The view from the back porch is in the picture above with Allie standing at the bottom of the steps. There is one of us on top of the Corolla Lighthouse. The pic with the flags in the background is at a restaurant at sunset looking over the sound. The pics of us with the really orange sunrise over the Atlantic are on the beach right in front of the rental. We really enjoyed it & the waves were great for body boarders and lots of surfers. Each morning and evening dolphins by the dozens swam right in front of the house. It's a great spot to relax. No massive condo units, hotels or spring break type crowds - It's all rental homes with large family groups just chillin' out. It's 20-30 minutes from Kitty Hawk and the Wright Bros. Museum & there are good seafood and N.C. BBQ restaurants around.

Allie & Jacob got their final grades in the mail while we were gone. Allie got one B and all the rest were A's. Jacob got all A's. We are so thankful that the kids are doing well in school here - we were a little worried at first about the intensity and high level of competition.

Allie was upset that she received a homework assignment for next year already - first week of summer! She has to read some books off of the reading list and have a PowerPoint presentation ready when she goes back with an overview of the reading. I guess whatever keeps their brain working this summer. Allie also received the citizenship award for her 6th grade - it was a big deal - since they only give 5 of those in each grade and she is a new student. The principal said she exemplified what it meant to be a student at Mary Ellen Henderson Jr. High - able to excel in school, extracurricular, and community activities (Allie and her friends (with no parents) organized a fundraising team for the Relay for Life - it was a fundraising project that they worked on all school year).

Talk to you soon,

John