Off to the Beach, Part 3

Well, our weather jackpot gave out on Thursday. A chilly, wet day. We mostly hung out at the beach house, just lounging and doing laundry. And buying movie tickets online for the new "Minion" movie. The kids had been REALLY wanting to see it. Remember that part. They REALLY wanted to see it.

There was a late morning break in the rain, so we stretched our legs and used the playground a bit.






So, we got to the first matinée movie of the day. And got our seats. The lights went out. The previews started. And Colin wanted to leave. Go to the hall. LEAVE. NOW. He wanted to LEAVE. We are mean parents and said, NO. Mostly because WE wanted to see the Minions. And in the middle of the movie, Gillian started wanting to leave too. Sigh. I think it boiled down to this a) they were tired b) it was LOUD and c) they don't yet understand that bad stuff doesn't permanently happen to the main characters in kid movies. Anyway, we made it through the movie. And if you ask them now, Colin and Gillian will both SWEAR they liked it. KIDS.

Anyway, we hit Funland again after the movie. And noticed that the beach was actually closed to swimmers that day. Surf was just too rough.



When we woke up on Friday, there was no rain. But also little humidity and BIG surf. So it was a day for playing in the sand and walking the beach. No swimming for us!













Parents!


Grandparents!


Family!


Ladies!


Dancing girly.


Relaxing.


Names in the sand (in hopes of returning next year).





Oh, more doritos.



Friday evening we went out for our traditional last night at the beach dinner. And some Funland. And some ice cream. Gillian agreed to some pictures before we left. Colin did not.




Some dinner shenanigans.






Funland.



(Notice that Daddy and Colin didn't go UP in their helicopter. By Colin's decree.)


Papa Greg kindly snapped this (AWESOME) family pic in about 3 seconds for us on the boardwalk.


Saturday morning we were up and out the door by 7:00. We stopped for some gas and some waffles. And one final round of silliness.




Bridge from the other side...


And we had another fast, easy trip home. Thank goodness for good travelers. We had a FANTASTIC week. We can't wait to go back!

Off to the Beach, Part 1

The third week in July, we packed up (with less stuff than we had taken in the past four years!) and headed south and east to the beach! YAY! If we ever needed a vacation, it was this summer!





We had a pretty easy trip down and didn't hit a ton of traffic until very close to the shore. The kids were good travelers, but were very happy when we arrived! After a quick unloading of the car, we headed down to say HI to the ocean. And, silly Mommy should have KNOWN to put them in their suits. Wading. YEAH RIGHT.



After a change of clothes, we got some pizza and the kids hit the sheets. After I did this to their room...I'm so classy.


(WHY do all beach houses come with eastern facing windows with no coverings???)

Sunday kicked off a string of beautiful beach days. Waves, sand, running, icees. Perfection.


Gillian laid in the sand like this ALL week. Like a little lizard soaking up the sun and heat.






Lots of digging! A lot of it by Daddy!




But Daddy did get the occasional break.


The kiddos loved being in the water! It was too cold for ME! Thankfully Daddy, GraGra and Papa Greg are heartier than I am!






Zach and Kevin entertaining the troops!


There were LOTS of beach icees. LOTS.




Sunday night we had to hit the boardwalk for some ice cream and game playing. Colin HAD to win some "friends." HAD to. Like his little life depended on acquiring cheap pieces of fluff. Thankfully his Papa Greg was along to increase his chances of actually WINNING something.










The Monday of our vacation happened to be Daddy's birthday. So we celebrated. We started with donuts.




Daddy got a Birthday Nap.


The Lobster came for dinner.




Then we did a round of mini-golf. The Shell We Golf is beginning to show some wear...but we had fun anyway. Although Colin STILL insists that we played hockey.





Definitely a fun start to vacation! To be continued!