The Mom-Logs: July 2011

Hubby turned the big 3-0 this weekend. Ah, my younging. I wanted to do something really special for him. At first I thought of following suit as he did for my 30th and having him a surprise party, but with timing and a budget, it didn't fall into place. So I decided to snatch my in-laws for the weekend and take him on a "kid-free" weekend away, which they were more than willing to help out with. I researched a bunch of places, but everywhere I wanted to go included flights and with a strict time schedule of just Friday and Saturday I needed something close. So I chose somewhere we never have been and right in our own backyard. The Outer Banks! I know, I know...I've lived here over 5 years and have never been, and after going this weekend, I have no idea why. We LOVED it! We'll definitely be going more often and at one point we totally had a beach house there in 8 years when he retired from the Air Force...anyway...

Since Hubby had no idea we were going away, he came home Friday surprised his parents were there, and I gave him a card right away that said we were going away for the weekend kid-free and his bags were already packed. He was stoked, and so was I! We stopped at our favorite sushi place to eat before we left and then we were off...literally an hour and fifteen door to door since we live so close to 168.

I've been planning this for months. I researched so many places to stay and what part of OBX to go to. I wanted closer than Hatteras or Ocracoke, so I chose Nags Head after some advice from friends. After more research I chose the Oasis Suites. I am SO happy I did. I doubted myself a few times on it, because it wasn't at the beach, but it was literally a two minute drive to the beach. I seriously can't rave enough about this place. For those who know me, know I am VERY picky when it comes to hotels and I get skeeved out pretty easily at places, but this place was literally a home away from home. It was quiet and clean. Beautiful and quaint. Although it's a new place built in 2007, it has that old school hotel feel, you know, the kind where they don't take your credit card for a security deposit and write reservations in a reservation log. Here are some pictures, which really doesn't do it much justice:

Kitchen.

Main Room with extra bed.

Living Area.

Bedroom.

Bathroom.

Our little patio outside living area.

Our view from our patio.

Gazebo.

Creepy house that I wished I owned.

We really, really had an awesome time. It was so nice to talk and catch up with my husband, whom I feel like I never get to see anymore with our work, school and childrens' schedules! The next day (Saturday) his brother and wife surprised him as well, so that was nice to hang kid-free with the new parents! Our day consisted of drinking, beach, drinking, eating, drinking, catching up, drinking...you get the picture. Good times.

We came home Sunday to his "birthday" party done by the kids with balloons, noise makers and more. It was too cute.

Noogs wanted to be all of part of the cake.