Despite the annoying, horrible traffic on the drive down there, we had a great time in North Carolina last weekend visiting Troy’s sister and her family.

We jumped on the trampoline, we swam in the hotel pool, we relaxed and ate grapes and popsicles and cookies and pizza and Mexican food.

Some of us performed in aquatic-mammal shows. Annalie would ride Troy’s back across the pool, then tell him “If you do a good job, I’ll give you a tasty fish!” Then she’d pat his head and tell him he was a good dolphin. It was hilarious.

Poor Bretty wasn’t feeling great on Saturday, and Dana ended up taking him to urgent care for what turned out to be swimmer’s ear. I wasn’t surprised because Brett is a regular fish and would spend all day in the water if he could. Leo and Annalie had a good time in the pool, at least once everyone had assured Leo that he didn’t have to go in the deep end if he didn’t want to. They had some elaborate game going on that involved going back and forth from the pool to the hot tub, doing a countdown each time. It was fun to watch.

Basically, Annalie had a blast hanging out with her cousins.

We said good-bye on Sunday night, and on Monday morning we got back in the minivan and headed for Virginia, where we would eat the world’s best hummus, climb to the top of a lighthouse, hit the beach, and meet a god and live to tell the tale…