It's a tradition that began many, many moons ago with my great-great-grandmother....a family trip to the beach. For one week each year, my parents, my sister and BIL, niece, nephew, and my family - all under one roof. A block away, my aunt and her family stay - it's perfect.
This was the only beach I knew as a child....
there were no pools to escape in....it was always the ocean or nothing.....
so growing up, I spent hours in the ocean battling the waves, learning the ways of the sea.
And now I sit on the shore, with a little bit of guilt because if I were the best mom, I would get in the ocean! But sitting on the shore allows me to relive my childhood and watch as my children enjoy a slice of what it was like in the "old days"....because now, they have iPods to listen to, and pools to jump into the moment they leave the sand and surf.
This year, we had the luxury of a little tidal pool each day that was just perfect for Miss C. It was a few days before she even realized there was more to the ocean than this little pool.
My Aunt Kim
She makes me laugh because she really doesn't appreciate the camera and she knows I am going to take her picture yet she just looks at it as if I won't do it....all the while knowing I will....my cousin Paige is smart, she just smiles. Ha.
Maddox
She is a girl who likes to relax and that is mostly what she spent her week doing....relaxing.
Sweet Baby Hayes
This little bundle of cuteness was a highlight of our trip! Oh the sweetness a baby brings!
My line of shark teeth hunters....and we found a lot! Several in all sizes each day.....and then there was the sign by a local store advertising "$1 Shark Toots" for sale....we laughed and made jokes about this one all week.
Maddox needed a workout so she took on the challenge of pulling C through the tidal pool....
Poolside picnics are always the best....
and jumping on sleds in the water proved to be lots of fun! Who needs snow when you have a pool?!?
My little Cha-Cha....growing up....and this was the day she discovered the ocean....
11 years old....not a picture of a smiling MK to be found....she thinks all things silly look so much better.
Pryce....man he got so much sun this week....and was hurting a bit but not so much so that he wanted to sit out a day....he is a lover of all things salt and sand.
Beautiful Maryn
She just sat up on the dock one night and shouted, "Take my picture!"
And then there is this....
this is more like it!
Gran and Pop
The glue that keeps us all together....
My people
A daddy and his girls
Hawaiian night and this guy was on par....
and this sweet girl rocked her outfit for days and days....she even wore it with her swimsuit to the beach one day!
The boys....
Our Hawaiian crew....
Maddox hit a surgery milestone during our trip.....she was eight weeks post-op which meant she was FINALLY allowed to have chips. She picked out her favorite and claimed the entire bag for herself.
A morning devotion with Gran....
My littles pondering life on the dock....
Give us all the Hayes....my babysitters in training!
Swing time with Gran
And porch talking with Uncle Bert
A little poolside playing for the win....
Maddox loves her nails....and she cares for them very well.....painting and polishing them are a favorite.
My crew....each one makes us better parents, humbles us daily, provides laughter and sometimes tears....it's our life and I could not imagine it any other way.
Pop is a funny one to play with.....
Morning trip to the pier....
it did not disappoint....sharks, sharks and more SHARKS....
And all the baby loves....nothing better than a sleeping baby, a cool breeze, family and a the sound of crashing waves....
and after long days doing all the beach things, a little cousin down-time is just what the doctor ordered....
Missing our boys but loving this pic of the cousins....
poolside naps are the best....
shark sighting at the pier....
and where there is a baby shark, there is a bigger shark waiting....eek!
another Garden City year in the books....love this crew and the memories we all make together!
