Still at the beach

We are still at the beach. This is turning out to be one very long, salty, sunny, beachy, and awesome vacation, albeit pretty exhausting (I simply do not comprehend how my kids can't sleep past 6 am). I got to give it to my kids they love the water and haven't tired of going to the beach everyday. We also have been lucky this week and have gotten to use the pool. Needless to say our days consist of us going no less then a tenth of a mile and frolicking in surf, sand, and water.

Here are more photos from the last couple of weeks. As you can see Pearson joined us, thank goodness, I don't know how much longer I could have been a single parent. My parents also were here for a week with us as were some other family members [Aunts, Uncles, and cousins].

These pictures are from an evening at the beach with no suits. We just simply went down to run around and burn off some energy since it wasn't very sunny this day. You can see that Whitaker ended up still going in the water. 

 

Whitaker showing his love for his Cousin Luke.

And then Pearson joined us!! The kids were both so excited. Whitaker didn't want to stop hugging him. 

We have enjoyed some lazy time on the screened in porch. 

Pearson taking the little boys to the tee box on the 11th hole in the backyard. 

This is my cousin Kathy's husband Mike fishing with a net. He kept seven kids occupied for an HOUR AND HALF by casting and catching fish for him. He truly was a god send. 

Here are all the kids running after the fish and then holding them and putting them back in the ocean. 

The two other kids in the photo are my cousin Kathy's kids, Ian and Sophia. They were great to have around and add to the mix. 

My mom and my cousin Kathy. 

Pearson photo bombing a picture with my Aunt Mary, my Aunt Barbara, and my mom. 

My little guy and I spending some quality time on the screened in porch. 

Driving to dinner at Duffers one night after some pool time. 

An attempt at getting all five grandkids in a picture with my parents. Will was on "strike" and refused to be photographed. 

Driving home from dinner on the golf cart. 

Pearson and Luke caught a toad the night before and was showing it to all the other kids in the morning.

Last year, I instituted a "memory box," where everyone would write their favorite memory from their time at the beach. The thought is in a few years we can look back at what all the kids were into and what the adults cherished. Here we are writing our memories with my parents. 

FINALLY a group shot. 

And a photo of my lovely parents. 

Some Photos from OKI 2013 (So Far)

BEACH

After over a year, we are back in Oak Island, NC. Heather and I came down and brought down all the kids for a cousin vacation. For right now it is just the 7 of us, next week we will be joined by Pearson and other members of the family, including my folks.

Although vacation with five kids and two adults doesn't really feel like much of a vacation, especially when you add in all the extra work of hauling kids to the beach, it has been pretty unbelievable. Watching Mae and Will body surf has been one of those memories that I don't ever want to forget. Their little bodies being thrashed and them thinking it is the greatest thing is what makes the beach so darn special. Then watching all of them scoot up and done the driveway is a sight of absolute cuteness.

I am also happy to report (for the most part) everyone seems to be getting along well.

Cousins

One of the reasons we decided to move our family cross the country was so that my kids could grow up alongside their cousins (and my sister and I could be support systems for each other). Heather and I have kids that are the exact same age. Will and Mae are 4 and half months apart and Whitaker and John are six weeks apart. Being able to see these kids in action together has made the stress of moving without Pearson and my kids out of controls moods worth it. Here are just a few photos from my phone from the last few weeks.