What an incredible week! The little Goodman family of Bel Air hit the road around midnight Friday night/Saturday morning for our first official vacation together. After spending the entire day Friday sorting, making piles, packing, checking things off of the numerous lists I created, loading the car, checking the lists again, feeding and changing Zachary, checking the lists yet one more time, running to the store for last minute items, putting Zachary to bed to fall into a deep sleep before transferring him to the car seat (while keeping our fingers crossed), and checking the lists one last time, we finally headed to Route 95 South to begin the first of many legs of our week long road trip! I wish I had taken a picture of the masterpiece loading job Len achieved... we actually fit EVERYTHING and did not leave anything on the list out. And let me tell you, everything is just a TON of stuff when you're toting along a 7 1/2 month old adorable little boy! I'm surprised we didn't need a trailer, though we did get new cross bars, surf board attachments, and a cargo carrier all for the top of the SUV, to help fit everything we planned to bring.Our road trip was broken down into three main destinations: East Carolina University in Greenville, NC (Len's Alma mater), Atlantic Beach, NC (to visit with close friends), and Kill Devil Hills in the Outerbanks, NC (the annual Goodman Family vacation destination).
ECU - Go Pirates!
Both Zachary and I got to see Daddy's Alma mater for the first time together! I was so excited to finally have a visual of all of the things Len has shared about his time in G-Vegas (as he so proudly refers to Greenville, NC). We arrived at the hotel at about 5:30 am Saturday morning, after a pretty smooth, uneventful drive. Zachary did not wake up once, and even transferred to the little nest we built him on the hotel bed with only a brief moment of open eyes. Thank goodness, since Len and I were then able to catch some zzzzz's before having to get up to feed the little man. After we finally freshened up and headed back out on the road, we cruised the streets of Greenville and the ECU campus, before continuing on the next leg of our journey.
Both Zachary and I got to see Daddy's Alma mater for the first time together! I was so excited to finally have a visual of all of the things Len has shared about his time in G-Vegas (as he so proudly refers to Greenville, NC). We arrived at the hotel at about 5:30 am Saturday morning, after a pretty smooth, uneventful drive. Zachary did not wake up once, and even transferred to the little nest we built him on the hotel bed with only a brief moment of open eyes. Thank goodness, since Len and I were then able to catch some zzzzz's before having to get up to feed the little man. After we finally freshened up and headed back out on the road, we cruised the streets of Greenville and the ECU campus, before continuing on the next leg of our journey.We saw so much including: Len's Fraternity house where he lived for part of his school years, the hotel where he had his first Marriott (Fairfield Inn) job as a Hotel and Restaurant Management major, the ECU campus where he went to class, many of his favorite hot spots, and so much more. We were also able to make a quick stop at the bookstore to pick up a few ECU items for Daddy, Z and me... I was so happy they were open.
Zachary was such a happy little critter when he woke up in the hotel bed... he seemed to be really enjoying the beginning of vacation!
Pictures of ECU, Len's Fraternity house, and the first Marriott hotel he worked for. The hotel has obviously changed owners since he was there. 
Atlantic Beach, NC - The Morgan's Place
Our next stop along the way was Atlantic Beach, NC to stay at the Morgan's beach house for a night. We were so excited to introduce Zachary to Mark and his girlfriend Ellie, Mark's parents, and John and his girlfriend Jill. What a great afternoon we all had... we went out on the boat with the gang for a little while, and Zachary really seemed to enjoy his first boat ride on the Intercoastal Waterway. I think the gentle rock of the boat was what lulled him to sleep for a brief nap, while we were anchored on a sandbar for a quick dip and a few cold brews !
Our next stop along the way was Atlantic Beach, NC to stay at the Morgan's beach house for a night. We were so excited to introduce Zachary to Mark and his girlfriend Ellie, Mark's parents, and John and his girlfriend Jill. What a great afternoon we all had... we went out on the boat with the gang for a little while, and Zachary really seemed to enjoy his first boat ride on the Intercoastal Waterway. I think the gentle rock of the boat was what lulled him to sleep for a brief nap, while we were anchored on a sandbar for a quick dip and a few cold brews !
Zachary really loved hanging out with the guys on the boat...
... and the girls, too!
When we got back to the house, we got cleaned up and had a wonderful dinner with the crew and some more guests that had arrived while we were out on the boat. Zachary and Mark's Grandma Louise really hit it off and spent a lot of the evening hanging out together. And he REALLY loved petting Mark's English Lab, Hardy, too!
It was so sad to leave the next afternoon... it had been quite a while since we had the opportunity to hang out with the Morgan/Boling clan and we had such an awesome time catching up and introducing Zachary to everyone! Thanks so much for having us!!
Kill Devil Hills, Outerbanks, NC - The Annual Goodman Family Vacation
Grandma and Poppie were anxiously awaiting our arrival in the Outerbanks... our original plan was to take the Ferry system via Oakracoke Island (where Len proposed), but the weather got the best of us (high winds and violent thunderstorms), and we thought it would be better for Zach and safer for all of us to take the inland route instead. This leg of the trip was about 3 1/2 hours, and once again, our little critter was an absolute CHAMP for the entire ride!
When we arrived, we unpacked the car, fed the little guy, then all of us headed out for a bite to eat for dinner. Grandma and Poppie were so happy to see Zachary, and he was so excited to see them, too. Here he is trying out the new chair they gave him especially to be used at the beach. He fits perfectly in it, and really seemed to like sitting on something without being strapped in for once! We had such an amazing week! Uncle Dan arrived on Monday to stay for a couple of days before making a quick trip home to pick up his girlfriend, Emily, and head right back the next day. Zachary just loved seeing his Uncle Dan again... it had been quite a while since they hung out!
Our first morning in the condo, we just took it easy and tried to catch up on some much needed rest, as we had been on the go several days. Zachary loved just chillin' with us all, especially in his new comfy beach-themed pj's (bought especially for the OBX trip)!
Later that morning, everyone headed down to the beach for sun and fun, and Zachary and I stayed back to try and resume a more regular eating and sleeping schedule. After a couple of feedings and a nice long nap, he was raring to go down to the beach and feel the sand for the first time. Let me tell you, it was no easy task to get us both ready for his big moment. Even though Len, Poppie and Grandma had brought the chairs, canopy, refreshments, etc. down earlier that day, it still seemed like a never-ending preparation to get the little guy out the door. After pouring him into his special swim diaper (it was kind of a pain), lathering him head-to-toe in sun block lotion, dressing him in his zooty surf suit (rash guard and all - thanks Grandma!), putting on his sunglasses and hat, getting myself dressed, and packing our bag of towels, toys and drink, we finally headed out the door for the short walk to the beach. Phew... it was so fun getting him all ready, yet exhausting all at the same time. I think I was more excited than he was just to see his reaction to sand, surf and sun. When we got down there, Zachary wasn't really loving it, but seemed to eventually tolerate it. The sand was not a texture he seemed to like and the water was too cold (we dipped his toes in as he screamed), but we made the most of his first afternoon on the beach. It got better throughout the week, with each venture down, as he got used to the crash of the waves and the swift, warm ocean breeze.
He did seem to like sitting in his new chair, as long as he couldn't feel the rough sand.
After a brief afternoon thunderstorm, the sun came back out and we headed down for Zachary's first ever swim in a real swimming pool! Let me tell you, he just LOVED it!! He is truly a little fishy! (I was wondering if he'd love or hate the water after his encounter with the Atlantic Ocean the previous day!) Grandma and Poppie took tons of great pictures for us to help capture and remember the momentus occassion!
Zachary really adapted quickly to the condo and the vacation version of our routine we established! The entire week was just so precious and I will forever cherish our first official family vacation with the little guy! The next several pictures were taken throughout the week with all of the fun we had...
Our first morning in the condo, we just took it easy and tried to catch up on some much needed rest, as we had been on the go several days. Zachary loved just chillin' with us all, especially in his new comfy beach-themed pj's (bought especially for the OBX trip)!
Later that morning, everyone headed down to the beach for sun and fun, and Zachary and I stayed back to try and resume a more regular eating and sleeping schedule. After a couple of feedings and a nice long nap, he was raring to go down to the beach and feel the sand for the first time. Let me tell you, it was no easy task to get us both ready for his big moment. Even though Len, Poppie and Grandma had brought the chairs, canopy, refreshments, etc. down earlier that day, it still seemed like a never-ending preparation to get the little guy out the door. After pouring him into his special swim diaper (it was kind of a pain), lathering him head-to-toe in sun block lotion, dressing him in his zooty surf suit (rash guard and all - thanks Grandma!), putting on his sunglasses and hat, getting myself dressed, and packing our bag of towels, toys and drink, we finally headed out the door for the short walk to the beach. Phew... it was so fun getting him all ready, yet exhausting all at the same time. I think I was more excited than he was just to see his reaction to sand, surf and sun. When we got down there, Zachary wasn't really loving it, but seemed to eventually tolerate it. The sand was not a texture he seemed to like and the water was too cold (we dipped his toes in as he screamed), but we made the most of his first afternoon on the beach. It got better throughout the week, with each venture down, as he got used to the crash of the waves and the swift, warm ocean breeze.
He did seem to like sitting in his new chair, as long as he couldn't feel the rough sand.
After our short time on the beach (you just can't bask in the sun like old times with the little guy, but I certainly didn't mind!), we headed back up to get ready for dinner. Zachary had a special gift for Poppie to shade him from the hot sun during grillin' duty, and he chilled in his very portable Johnny Jumper while we all cleaned up and Poppie finished grilling our dinner.
Later that evening, Zachary took his first bath in his portable blow-up duckie tub (we left the hard plastic sink tub at home)... he really seemed to enjoy it, but it was back-breaking for Len and I trying to sit on the edge of the big tub and lean over to wash all of the lotion, sand and salt off of his tired body.
The next day was a big one for us as well. It started off with Zachary and Daddy going for a jog together. I think the bounce of the jogger and the warm ocean breeze knocked the critter out, since he slept for part of the adventure!
After a brief afternoon thunderstorm, the sun came back out and we headed down for Zachary's first ever swim in a real swimming pool! Let me tell you, he just LOVED it!! He is truly a little fishy! (I was wondering if he'd love or hate the water after his encounter with the Atlantic Ocean the previous day!) Grandma and Poppie took tons of great pictures for us to help capture and remember the momentus occassion!
Zachary really adapted quickly to the condo and the vacation version of our routine we established! The entire week was just so precious and I will forever cherish our first official family vacation with the little guy! The next several pictures were taken throughout the week with all of the fun we had...
Here is the little critter with a couple of his newest, favorite beach toys! Yes, sometimes it's the simplest of things that amuse us... a red plastic Solo cup - it was a real hit with Zachary! 
Toward the end of the week, the condo was really hoppin' as Dan came back with Emily mid-week, and Tim arrived for the last 2 nights of festivities. We've coined Tim, "The Closer" with his much anticipated arrival... we were all so happy he made it (especially Zachary since they hadn't seen each other since Christmas), even if it was just for a short visit.
We really made the most of the beach the more Zachary got used to it. Here are some of my favorite beach shots toward the end of the week...
Zachary didn't mind holding down the fort! (As long as he was off of the sand and had his boat to chew on!)
And I would be in trouble if I didn't show off Daddy's catch of the week... a giant sand crab!
Surfer-dude in training... Daddy is so proud!
How better than to close this VERY long post with the official 2008 OBX Goodman Family Portrait!
How better than to close this VERY long post with the official 2008 OBX Goodman Family Portrait!
