Beach bums!

The beach is always a little crazy... You think beach, you think "relaxation"...until you have kids...and then it's not only the opposite of relaxation, it can actually be way more work than being at home. But, it's worth it... I think :) And it's definitely more fun when you've got a friend in the trenches with you...and a lot of kids to make for fun chaos!

Amber, Max, and Ava came to hang with us at the beach a few weeks ago. We loaded up our car with ALL of us...4 car seats, the 2 of us and SO much stuff. We had to take a picture of how our luggage was packed to make sure we'd be able to get everything back in the car for the way home. We survived the road trip without too many stops and only one bag of goldfish spilled and crushed in the floor.

It's such a blessing to have a friend with kids that are the same ages... It's been sweet to watch Tucker and Max's little friendship grow this past year and hopefully the girls will catch on soon as well :) Gigi was with us for the week too and a HUGE help as always. Enjoy our week in pictures!

Hadley and Ava...4 months apart

Happy girl with Gigi!

Silly to attempt I know...

Okay, so I know we look rough... but it's the only evidence I have that we were there :)

"Don't worry about us... We'll just be laying on the floor hoping the brothers don't step on us"

A few days before we left, Tucker got an ear infection...he was really sick for 12 hours with vomiting and fever. Sweet Max was trying to make him feel better...

And he succeeded when he bought him his own Mickey Mouse!

p.i.t.i.f.u.l. boy

Ava...seriously the most content, happy baby!

The most popular Gigi...somehow she keeps up with these crazy boys :)

Sun-kissed kiddos, tired mamas...good memories!

More Beach Days

One night we took dinner to the beach and played until bedtime...loved this time of day out there!

Tucker had some good cousin time as usual...

Loving the sand...

And the water...

Hadley was just as content as she is in her bath

We lived in the "pools"

We had some good family time...

My cousin Anna is expecting a little boy in October!

Tucker had his first trip to the Aquarium...

I'll leave you with this sweet picture of Hadley and Gigi!

Beach buddies!

A few weeks ago, our friends Ashley and Carter and Lauren and Kit came to the beach with us for a a few days. It was so much fun for Tucker to have "his size" people to play with on the beach and we all had a blast. It was busy with 4 adults and 4 kiddos--but a blast :)

The perfect after beach treat:: Bath and show time

Bath time...and Carter is all his glory :)

The only time they sat still all weekend...

Hadley was all smiles

Carter's first lollipop!

Our princess for the weekend

And I'll leave you with this...

PS...I promise there was adult supervision..we just don't have pictures to prove it--sad!

The Beach...

Is good for my soul. Maybe not as good as when I only had to worry about carrying one chair and wondering what book I was going to get lost in...but it's still good :) These days, the beach means packing everything up except the kitchen sink (literally--see above), figuring out a way to carry it between 2 adults, and hoping your toddler won't have a meltdown when it's time to come inside. It is a BIG effort to set ourselves up to play for a few hours but I must say that it is worth it to see my boy in his own heaven, playing with sand and diggers until his heart is content. We've had amazing weather this week and I'm so thankful for Gigi's help!

Maybe one day I'll read again...for now, I'll just build sandcastles.

First trip to the beach!

Favorite place to be~in someone's arms... Cousin Meredith doesn't seem to mind :)

Beach Days

Tucker and I spent about 10 days at the beach... I'm sure the last few days have been a huge let down for him since he was used to going to the beach all morning, taking a long nap, and ending the day with a few hours at the pool. He absolutely loves the water and has NO fear of it! It was so great to see a lot of our family...can't wait till next time!

He's still obsessed with balls and has just learned how to dribble...even with a cookie in hand...

Tucker LOVES watermelon and his little side-kick, Mocha :)

Playing with POPS at the beach

The highlight of Tucker's week was his cousins...Emma Ann, Dunkin, and Jones...he ADORES them and I am so thankful they enjoy playing with their younger little cousin!

This is probably Tucker pointing at an airplane or a boat..as of last week, he seems to now be aware of all kinds of transportation and he's very confused why airplanes go away so quickly :)

LOVES his GiGi!

Eating a cupcake poolside...is this the life or what?

Ready, Set, Putt!

Firing up the lawn mower!

Floating with Daddy!

I love these last few of these cuties...

Everybody tickle Tucker!

Peek-a-Boo!