Beach Time

Now here's what everyone's been waiting for, what everyone is expecting on a beach vacation: the actual beach!  Our little family headed down to the beach once or twice a day for a little fun in the sun.  Although it was a bit hot, once we got down to the ocean, there was a nice breeze and the ocean was beautifully calm.  We had our tent when everyone needed shade, the sand for castle building, and the ocean for lounging and wildlife watching.

Our usual beach activities usually went as follows.  Half the crew would drive town to the beach in the golf cart with a wheelbarrow in tow.  The other half would walk and meet us there.  Then we would head down to the ocean and take a look.  We would play in the sand, find some seashells, dig in the sand, or build some castles.  Then, when we would start to get hot we would head to the ocean.  Or in Jack's case, he would immediately head for the ocean as soon as he saw it and barrel in head first, life jacket or not.  He loved the water.  Evan on the other hand was a bit more cautious, but he would let us pick him up and take him out into the water so he could watch the crab holes and fishies nibbling at our toes.  Benny was somewhere in between.  His true love was when someone would build a pool of water on the sand he could grub around in.  We had one future sailor, one future zoologist, and one future mud wrestler. 

(Our ride to the beach)

(Evan was happy to arrive at the beach.)

(Ben loved the sticks at the beach.)

(The boys are ready to explore.)

(Jack was a bit hungry for some sand.)

(My two little digger crabs.)

(Great-Grandma Dot and Aunt Karen watch the ocean.)

(A whole family of beach bunnies.)

After our playtime in the water, the boys would start to tire out.  Then, one by one they would head up to the tent for a little snack in the shade.  The adults liked this relaxing time to chat as well.  We would spread out a blanket and watch it be covered with goldfish and sand, and relax.  After that there was usually a little more playing and getting dirty. 

(Audra finds a way to make the beach even more comfy.)

(Ben takes a little time out.)

(Jack takes a break too.)

(Ben and Evan face off over a drink.)

Once we were all good and tired and covered in sand and salt water, we would trek back up the beach and head up to the pool for a little rinse off and cool down.  What a great way to spend a week!

 

 (Grandma and I take a walk on the sand.)

 (Sisters and their boys)

(Mom and her girls)