A Look...

 These are the faces of two girls who really love each other. 

They might not always show it and they might fight more often than not, but deep down they really do like each other.  Most days.

Ryan's Happy Place...

The old adage goes... "Good things come to those who wait." Well that adage couldn't have been any more true this week.  Ryan loves himself an Italian Chicken sandwich from Burger King - like LOVES!  It is a limited time item, and it only comes around every so often.

In fact, this is the last time Burger King sold this infamous sandwich...

That was November 2014, shortly after moving to Indianapolis.  That's right, it has been 7 years since he has enjoyed his sweet sandwich. 

Until.... last night!  

Burger King has brought the sandwich back and it goes without saying that Ryan was there to get his paws on one (or two!) of them.

Jury says, "Yum!!!!! Just like I remember it."  

Now us ladies are wondering just how many trips to BK Ryan is going to make before they take the sandwich off their menu again?!?!

An Animal Adventure...

We ventured over to Ashboro to see the NC Zoo this weekend.  It's the only true zoo in the state, which is kind of amazing to think about.  Also amazing is the fact that we were all able to wear shorts to the zoo in the middle of November.  North Carolina has its perks.

The weather was great, but so was the zoo itself.  It has a lot of meandering trails and it feels as though you are hiking in the woods when you come across an exhibit for an animal.

It was a great way to spend the afternoon - taking in the sights, the animals, the weather, and spending time with each other.  

Speaking of animals, Sullivan had a science project this weekend to create and replicate an animal cell.  She chose to do so with a cookie cake and frosting. The master baker making her creation...

The final animal cell...

This weekend was truly for the birds animals.

The OBX...

We were able to visit Kill Devil Hills, NC which is part of the Outbanks, or as the locals call it the OBX, this past weekend.  We met our dear friends, the Hansbergers, who also live outside of Raleigh over there.  They were kind enough to show us the OBX and introduce us to some great places and some great sights.

We knew that visiting the OBX in November would not yield a typical sit on the beach, swim in the ocean kind of vacation.  We were fine with being able to walk the beach, soak in the beauty of the ocean and listen to the waves crash against the shoreline.  Little did we know that there would be gale force wind warnings while we visited. 

That didn't stop us from seeing the sights though.  We went to the Wright Brothers memorial.  

It was interesting to read about their flight and how they persevered, and to see what type of plane/glider they used.  

We walked up to the monument, where we encountered a North Carolinian first for us...

It was our first SNAKE encounter.  Ewww!  Not sure what kind of snake it was, but a snake is a snake and it has no place around me!

The monument was beautiful and fun to explore...

We also drove out to Bodie Lighthouse that was on the shoreline. 

It was beautiful to see, but unfortunately closed for the season.  I guess that means that we have to go back and visit it again. In all our photo taking at the lighthouse, Livi decided to photobomb Sullivan's picture.  It was a great photobomb in my opinion.

Of course, we had to get our OBX swag at a local souvenir shop...

We walked the beach and battled the wind to collect seashells...

We spent time hanging out at the condo - doing puzzles, swimming, playing foosball.

On Sunday before we headed home, we went down to Jenette's Pier to walk the pier and see the ocean.  Gale force winds were definitely in play, as we experienced 45 mph wind gusts.  

Look at this motley crew just trying to stay warm and avoid the flying sand and water spray...

It sure makes me appreciate hurricanes more... we didn't even come close to hurricane force winds, but the wind and waves were MIGHTY.  It made me appreciate how powerful the ocean really is.  The time in the Outer Banks was a short one, but so thankful that we were able to experience it (and experience it with good friends)!  We can't wait to go back and visit again.

Perspective...

The other night Jealous Judy (Sullivan) and Jealous Jessica (Tessa) were in a battle to see who could snuggle with me on the couch.  After some squabbling, they both won out. This is my perspective of the three of us on the couch all nuzzled in...

The other perspective from across the room... ha!

It was cozy and comfy and I will steal all these minutes I can.  It won't be long before one of these jealous girls will no longer want to snuggle!  

Halloween 2021...

Halloween in NC proofed to be a big success for all of us.  Ryan and I enjoyed an evening out in the driveway passing out candy and meeting new neighbors.  Both of the girls headed to other neighborhoods with their friends.  

Sullivan went as a trio with her friends - they were characters from Monsters Inc.  Ironically Sullivan was NOT Sulley, but instead was Boo.  She made a pretty darn cute Boo, if you ask me.  

Check out this incredibly HUGE skeleton that Sullivan came across while trick-or-treating...

Quinn and her friends dressed as Disney princesses. Quinn made the cutest, most darling Cinderella in all of the land. 

So glad that they enjoyed the evening (NC weather is GREAT, if I haven't said it already!).  They have made great friends and had an amazing time with them.  They both came home with loads of candy, although there was no candy counting and no candy sorting this year.  I guess times have changed.