Back to Back

We are privileged to be able to drop it all and take off for the beach almost anytime we like. Growing up, the only vacation I ever really knew was the beach, and my parents spoiled us with a house right on the water at St. George Island. Being a little less than a 2 hour drive door-to-door, we are silly to not take advantage of it. ........and now that summer is here (Holy Batman, hot temps are here to stay!), we are doing just that. Hence the back to back beach weekends.

Highlights from weekend #1:
Quality time with grandparents! It was hot, but definitely breezy enough to keep it comfortable. We discovered that Jude likes the feel of the sand on his hands and will play in it for a while before deciding to rub his eyes or try and taste it. Awesome.



And as usual, Eli was entertained by the surf and sand. We made the new "traditional" post-dinner walk for ice cream. The perfect treat at the end of the day that conveniently doubles as a final way to wear Eli out for bedtime.

Highlights from weekend #2:

Memorial Day Weekend with the newlyweds, Aunt Kristi and Uncle Steve. The boys were excited to do some fishing this weekend. They tried from the bridge and from shore. Not much luck with only a couple catches from the bridge Saturday morning. Eli had fun despite no nibbles on his line.

A couple other families joined us throughout the weekend with their children. Eli and Steve's nephew, Dylan met back at the Chili Cook-Off and have been fast friends ever since. They played in the calm surf and the sand. Lots of swimming, splashing, and superhero wrestling.

I asked for superhero faces in the last one, and that is what I got. Love it. These two boys played incredibly hard, and Eli crashed hard for nap and bed each day. I truly adore how much Eli loves the beach, how hard he plays, and then how hard he crashes each night. (yes!)

Jude was cutting teeth both weekends, so he was a bit out of sorts and a little fussy. He still enjoyed being outside, feeling the wind and sand, and watching the waves and his brother play.

Munching on a cold apple will make my gums feel better, right?

Love how much these boys love each other. Jude squeals with delight when Eli is around. And I also love "Dude's" new toothy smile...it is like he is showing them off.

The last day we were there, Matt and Steve (with trusty helper Eli looking on, later joining in with his own shovel) worked hard to clean out some of the sand that has blown under the house over the last year or so. It looks so much better!!

The surf was much rougher on our final day, and despite getting knocked down over and over again, Eli held his own. He has a new found confidence with his swimming skills and ventures a little too far out, in Mommy's opinion. He has no fear!

Some of the less favorable moments from the weekend include, Matt's tackle box being stolen by some beach hoodlums and Mother Nature claiming yet another beach canopy with her windy gusts.

This is just the beginning of our summer season as school gets out this week. Hope we get back down there a lot this summer. We sure do love it and appreciate it.