Beach Vacation, Part Two

Aw, my boys in their boonie hats.  It just makes me smile!  Paige had already headed down to the beach with Stephen’s brother and his family, so she didn’t get in the “before we hit the sand” pic. 

This was my first view of the ocean in a few years.  It’s always the same relaxing place that really just feels like a home away from home for the week that we are there. 

Ryan totally didn’t understand why I was walking behind him and Stephen! I was after the perfect picture and all he wanted me to do was walk beside him…

I was quick to get a picture of our kids with a least one parent on the first day!

It was nice to sit in my beach chair next to my MIL Peggy and my SIL Amanda.  The guys and our older nieces were great to keep the kids entertained so we could enjoy our new books and our Cokes!

Our daily routine was to take the kids down to the beach or to the pool from about 9am-11:30 or so.  Once lunchtime rolled around Stephen and I would take our kids upstairs and fix their lunch.  Sometimes before and sometimes after lunch, Ryan would get a quick bath to remove all excess sand that creeps into swim diapers and lands in ungodly places.  Once he was clean and relaxed, we would lay him down in his pack and play for his naptime.  Stephen’s dad has always been so good to volunteer to stay upstairs with my napping babies and this year was no exception.  Many afternoons Papaw JB would nap right alongside Ryan.  Paige, Stephen, and I were free to go back to the beach and have a tad more freedom without having to worry about Ryan.

Stephen and I enjoyed the times that we were able to walk down the beach alone.  It’s fun to just stroll, people watch, and chat!

Paige got really good at boogy-boarding by the end of the first day! I was glad I had come prepared with a full top so her stomach wasn’t irritated.

We decided this year to only go out to eat a few times, even at dinner time.  Paige and (mainly) Ryan are at a place that having them in a restaurant is just too stressful so our solution was to stay in and cook. 

 

More Later…