2004 – Duck, NC

This is the first time we returned to the same house

• On the way down, Mark and Mary coincidentally stay at the same motel in Salisbury, MD – only realizing this when they bump into each other at breakfast.  Mary enjoys her stay at the hotel so much she leaves her purse there to ensure a stop there again on the way home

• Wes returns after taking a couple years off

• Joe attends the early part of the week but has to return early

• Dad celebrates ANOTHER birthday on vacation – 79th this year

• The family, including mom and dad, rents ATV’s and drives them in the pouring rain up the beach for several hours.  Mary, Anna, and Loraine congratulate themselves on a good decision not to go

• Almost everyone uses the tennis courts across the street

• Playing Balderdash – and Dad WANTS to play with us one night

• Evenings the 8 and under kids play baseball.   Maria chews out Christina for a poor play.  When confronted with her behavior, Maria explains that it was justified since these are “vacation games”

• On Friday, we watch Joe on a morning business program, Squawk Box

2003 – Duck, NC

• The house we were supposed to rent is still under construction, so Frank finds this house less than 2 months from the time we are planning our vacation.  It has a pool, hot tub, 2 dishwashers, an ice make, and an elevator.  It is across the street from tennis courts and an indoor pool.

• We miss Joe this time as he is starting his job at Bank of America

• This is the first vacation without Brian

• Dad celebrates his 78th birthday

• Is there a place for dad to get oysters?

• On the 4th of July, we watch fireworks from the decks

• Went fishing in the rain … golfing in the rain … ATV in the …. Nope that was cancelled