Beach Vacation Day 6

 Today started out sunny.  However, by 9 am, the clouds set in.  Jack, Grace, Caroline and I went for a long walk...I was SO thankful for the clouds.  It was a fabulous walk that lasted an hour and a half!  (I haven't struggled to meet my daily 10,000 steps while here!  If only every day could be like vacation!)  This part of the beach is super quiet.  We had some great finds!!!!!!

 Caroline was thrilled to find a live conch in its shell

 Today was an "off" day.  Some folks went shopping, some folks slept late and some folks did a little sight seeing. :-)  Andy and I took the girls to a local pier and arcade.  From the pier, we could see jellyfish and sharks swimming below...yikes!!!!!

 While at the arcade we randomly saw our friends Chris and Dargan with their family!  We couldn't have planned it better if we had tried!!  The girls loved the arcade and walked away with some great prizes...a flute, a sugar straw and a lollipop! :-)

 Once we got home, I took the girls and Jack swimming!  It was a perfect afternoon!

 After dinner, Caroline and I went to the beach for an evening walk before joining Uncle Greg and Jack for some ghost crab hunting.  In both directions, as far as the eye could see, not a single person in site!!!  It was fabulous!

 Sadly we only spotted one ghost crab, but Caroline caught it and was so excited!!!!!!!  Hopefully we will have better luck next year!

 Can you see the ghost crab???

Beach Vacation Day 5

 So we were up before 6 this morning with no chance of Mags going back to sleep.  So I decided I would try my morning devotion on the porch again.  Obviously the key to enjoying quiet time on the beach is getting up before the sun...it was a beautiful morning!!  This cutie wanted to join me! :-)

 Maggie wanted to help the big girls with their puzzle and it didn't work out so well for her.  SO while we were out shopping yesterday we bought her a Curious George puzzle.  She and Caroline worked on it this morning before breakfast.  

 Jack found a large starfish on his morning walk.  He invited Caroline and I to go back to the beach with him to see if we could find it and we did!!  It was HUGE!

 We decided that today we would stick to the pool only.  Maggie woke up super early and would definitely need a nap given her lovely state...Andy offered to hang with the girls at the pool if I wanted to go down to the beach by myself to read...it was amazing!!  I came back to the pool to find these guys having lots of fun!!

Later this afternoon while Andy and the girls rested, I headed back to the beach by myself.  I sat my chair in a tidal pool and loved every minute of enjoying God's beautiful beach creation!

 I came home to this...where's Mags??

 This afternoon we took off for an evening walk before dinner.  

 We found another beautiful starfish and a hermit crab that didn't photograph too well...

 Caroline couldn't believe she found a whole sand dollar!!!

 After finding this crab, who was very much alive and almost made Caroline wet her pants when his pinchers went up, she said "Can you believe it??? Me, Caroline, found a whole sand dollar AND all these amazing creations!!  This is the BEST day ever!!!!!"

 After dinner we celebrated Tomi Jean's birthday with a YUMMY cake Ms. Susan brought.  We are so thankful for Tomi Jean and the many ways that she loves our family so well!!

 Our puzzling is going rather slow...day 5 and we completed our first puzzle...

Beach Vacation Day 4

Day 4 started off rather slowly.  Both girls slept in and missed our morning walk.  Greg and I went for our walk and got 3 miles in before 8am.  I came home to find Caroline just waking up and Mags still sound asleep.  I enjoyed having some quiet time with my morning devotion.  I tried to read on the porch like Mema and I did many mornings but it just didn't seem the same.  I thought it was a little too warm to get settled but I know Mema would have thought it was JUST right! :-)  The hotter the better in her eyes...Greg and I began cooking breakfast for everyone around 9.  At 9:30 we decided it might be a good idea to wake Mags up...what???  Still sleeping at 9:30??  Let's hope this continues once we get home!!

 Joy brought a 100 piece zebra puzzle that she and Caroline put together after breakfast.

 We finally made it out to the beach a little after 11.

As always Uncle Greg set up several tents for us to enjoy.  I didn't realize just how much sun I got yesterday so I was super thankful for the tents today.

 After 2 hours on the beach, we headed to the pool for about an hour.  The girls had so much fun playing together.  The water felt great and I enjoyed playing with the girls.

By the time we got in and ate lunch, it was 3:30.  We decided it was a little late to put Mags down for a nap.  We showered and headed out to look around at some of our favorite local shops.  Afterwards we picked up some local tomotaes and lettuce.  We came home to make bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches.  Oh my word they were SO YUMMY!!!!!!!  I'm already looking forward to the next sandwich! :-)  We are currently sitting on the couch watching a movie.  Great way to end a wonderful day!

Beach Vacation Day 3

Today was another gorgeous day on the beach.  We headed out around 10:45 and Caroline and I didn't come in until 4:30.  I LOVED every single minute of it!!!  Prior to children, Andy and I would head out around 10 and wouldn't come in until around 5...it was glorious!!  Today was also friend day so we had a few extra guest.

 Nothing I love more while on vacation than to sit by the pool or on the beach to read...today I got to enjoy both!!

Thankful for another fun day with family and friends!!