...............The Hellwig Family

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Our Trip through the Outer Banks

Posted by Gabrielle

We just got back from a wonderful trip through Ocracoke, Cape Hatteras, Bodie Island and Roanoke Island!
On Wednesday, August 6th, we had lunch at the ferry station then rode the 2 1/2 hour ferry from Swan's Quarter, NC to Ocracoke.

The ferry docking.
Benaiah is excited about his first ferry ride,
as is Tobias.
Benaiah, from the seats in the passenger lounge sees his beloved Timothy on the other side of the window!
Nearing the ferry dock at Ocracoke, we saw pelicans, in perfect pairs, perched on the poles. We were even able to watch some dive down to catch fish.

After dinner that evening at our very sandy campsite on Ocracoke we went down to enjoy the beautiful beach. We hadn't been to the beach in a couple of years. And after this we had enough sand and water to satisfy us for a while! In fact, Daddy even went swimming, which looked like a lot of fun!
Tobias and I.
Elliot, the brave, defies the waves!
Oh, and of course, collecting shells was a hit with all, especially the little boys. Here Arianne found some pretty specimens.
Jedidiah absolutely must wash his handful of shells.
Christianna, wet of course, with her shells.

The next morning we took the 40 minute ferry from Ocracoke to Hatteras and, after visiting the Cape Hatteras Light House( we didn't climb it), we had lunch on the road while driving through Hatteras' cute little beachside town and on to Bodie Island.
The Cape Hatteras Light.

We arrived at the Oregon Inlet campground and after setting up our tents we just played, ate and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon, had a huge dinner and read for a while.
Pictures from the afternoon:

A detour from the ramp leading to the restrooms resulted in this as several found out:
The giant cactus shoes...
and their owner!
Some of those cactuses were really big!
Benaiah played on a sleeping bag and had a fun time!

Notice Benaiah's hair in the above picture; it was a little breezy. That night it got so windy that we were up at 1 a.m. 'holding down the fort' while Daddy collapsed the tents and packed everything in the van. The wind was blowing in the sides of the tent almost flat on our faces and finally an especially strong gust directed at the side where Benaiah's playpen was tipped it over with Benaiah in it! We spent the rest of the night in the car as the mosquitoes lined the windows, waiting to get in.

The next morning, August 8, on the way home we stopped at a couple of places of interest.

First was the Bodie Island lighthouse. From our campground the night before we were able to see it flashing.
By the time we arrived at the Wright Brothers museum poor Benaiah was so tired that we transfered him from his carseat to the stroller, still sleeping.
A replica of one of the Wright brother's earlier models.
And a later model with the rudder on the front.
We walked up to the Wright Brother's memorial.
Elliot the astronaut(hambone).
Elliot and Daddy.

We had a very exciting trip but, as always, it was good to be home again.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Happy 1st Birthday...

Posted by Gabrielle

Benaiah! On July 20th, we celebrated Benaiah's 1st birthday! It hardly seems like a whole year has gone by!
Typical of his older siblings, he howled!



At the second try, comforted with his spoon, he calmly contemplates his peach tart.
"Hmm..., maybe this isn't so bad after all!"
"O my head! These birthdays are just too much to understand."
"Okay, now on your first birthday..."

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Our Vacation in the Mountains

Posted by Gabrielle

On July 9th through 11th we were in the mountains! Yes, you heard that right. It's been quite a while since we've been on a true vacation and it was time for another one!
Blowing Rock, NC was an absolutely beautiful mountain town. Even just a drive around town offered breathtaking views of the mountain ranges.
It reminded me anew of the expanse and majesty of God's creation and how much there really is that we have no idea of!

The menfolk setting up our second tent upon our arrival at our campsite on Wednesday afternoon while...
'us womenfolk' set up house.
Benaiah's response to his first camping trip!
Wednesday evening after dinner was an inevitable run into the cute little town of Blowing Rock, NC for ice for the cooler and, a stop at the playground.
Christianna on the swingset!
This is just one of the majestic views of the spreading mountain ranges, taken from a restaurant parking lot. The urge to stop for this on Thursday morning was obviously irresistible.

Thursday morning we spent at the Moses Cone Manor. This house was built shortly after the Civil War but has been well maintained. Relaxing in the rocking chairs on the front porch we could gaze out over the fields, forests, lakes and towns for miles around.
Tobias and Jedidiah apparently enjoyed this!
Aaahhh...do we see Benaiah the future wood carver?

On the porch and bottom level of the manor were various booths of local artists and craftsmen. Among them was a wood carver and it was fun examining all the interesting carvings he had for display. One of the most fascinating was the wooden chessboard with actual carved, painted people for the figures.
Jedidiah having fun with the chess set!
And, of course, a family picture. Isn't it hard to get everyone to look and smile at the same time? :)

Unfortunately it rained Thursday afternoon. In fact, it didn't just rain, when it rains in the mountains, it pours! Eating lunch in the car on the side of the road with the rain pounding down around us was a unique experience! Later on though, it stopped and we took a short break at an overlook area. While Daddy and some others went for a short hike, I stayed with Mommy and the three little boys, and took pictures.
This one is of Grandfather Mountain.

It took most of Friday morning for the men to pack up camp. What can Tobias do in the meanwhile but play with sticks and trees and ham up for the camera?




On Friday afternoon we came home to rain in tiny Rolesville! Home Sweet Home!

Check back to hear about our next planned trip in August!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

4th of July Fireworks

Posted by Timothy




Family Reunion

Posted by Timothy

Q. What happens when Grandparents, Uncles, and an Aunt all fly down to visit us at the same time?
A. Family Reunion!

Q. What was special about this reunion?
A. We had not even seen most of them for a couple of years.

Q. What did we do during our family reunion?

A.(short) A lot.
A.(long) The first full day, we spent with just our grandparents. We don't see them very often, so this was a good time to get to know them better. We were even able to get a short video interview with our grandfather concerning his early life.
Later on we were able to spend time with our other relatives, whom we see even less often.
An Uncle...

Another Uncle...


And an Aunt!

And, we didn't forget a family picture:

Setting up: "What's taking so long?"

Ahh. Here we are!

We had a great time with our family and we hope we can do it again soon!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Father-Daughter Retreat '08

Posted by Gabrielle

Last weekend, June 7th, we three girls and Daddy had the privilege of attending a Father-Daughter retreat hosted by our church.

We began the day with tea at the Old English Tea Room and a talk about "The Twelve Pillars of Biblical Womanhood"

me,(Gabrielle)
Arianne
and Christianna at the Tea Room.


Afterwards we went to the Browns for Father-Daughter games, High Tea and the rest of the "Twelve Pillars of Biblical Womanhood" talk.
Daddy and Arianne
We enjoyed this day out with our father!
You can read "The Twelve Pillars of Biblical Womanhood" here .

Monday, June 9, 2008

Benaiah's Cute Little Snarl

Posted by Gabrielle

Funny boy! (picture by Arianne)

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Some More From Benaiah...

Posted by Gabrielle
Well, it's not yogurt but here is one of Benaiah's priceless 'yuck' faces!