The salty air of the beach, warm sand, and sun fill that random jar of memories I keep bottled up in my head. Scouring the beach for the perfect shell (if vacationing on the west coast) or jumping my highest to tower over the waves (while vacationing on the east coast) remind me just how much fun it was being one of the kids on family vacations. Our ginormous family has always been able to push the busyness that consumes our lives aside to make time for each other, and to make time for memories. Looking back, I am thankful that 'the adults' always did this for us (and themselves) and fast forwarding to now, I am thankful that we are able to do this as well for ourselves and our children. By a family trip, I don't just mean my little family. I mean four generations of grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles - all in one trip!
We packed up kiddies, bathing suits, and sand toys. We shopped for donuts, chips & dips, kiddy treats and beer. And we simply enjoyed - making memories one shell search, sunset, and sand dollar digging session at a time.
The guys raced on the sandand hurt themselves, and us gals had a little race too which may or may not have made one or two of us bust our asses. I shall spare you the pictures.
Hours were spent with toes in the sand, drinks in hand, laughing, reflecting, and playing.
I sure am thankful to have a baby who looves the beach. She spent the days soaking up the fresh air.
And playing hard means sleeping hard. Baby girl slept the best she ever has. Two full two hour naps per day and long, long nights of snoozing. All the walking and cruising around surely helps!
Madeira Beach, Florida did not disappoint. With beaches and sunsets, and a boardwalk full of shops, bars, and restaurants, memories were made in abundance.
While our little miss has been on several beach trips with us, and even some of her cousins, this was her first trip with the whole crew. She loves keeping up with all her cousins and they are just as happy to let her keep up. Cousin love makes me happy!
{insert edit here: my husband just texted me while on an away rotation "cousin love makes me happy?!"} Haha, yes he is right. But come on, sisterly love, brotherly love -- you get it, right? ;)
Baby girl's got a soft spot for Johny -- who takes on her walks, cuddles, and shares plenty of playful moments with her -- including scouring the shore for shells to write her name in the sand with :) I was 12 when he was born, and he was 13 when she was born, so it's fun to see the dynamics that I had with him being shared between him and my daughter now. Awwww ;)
It's not just the kiddies that make up the memories. It's the whole family combined. The generations of family members coming together to catch up, enjoy each other, and remember past memories of moments just like these. That's what makes it all so special.
Siblings, young and old, got along (for the most part) and begged to come back again soon. Sunset gazing makes for a tranquil atmosphere, that's for sure!
Some of my favorite families on the beach this weekend, together making up one big family, creating memories and loving the moment.
The Smollett's
The Vicario's
The McDonald's
The Barr's
We sure did miss a few of the family members who couldn't make it, but you were without a doubt thought of.
I think I can speak on behalf of everyone by saying we are truly thankful for the opportunities to spend moments like this together - and we will truly love looking back on these memories while creating new and similar ones in the future.
So much sun, so much fun!
Check back soon for my 'trip after the family trip' to see how I spent the rest of the week!
We packed up kiddies, bathing suits, and sand toys. We shopped for donuts, chips & dips, kiddy treats and beer. And we simply enjoyed - making memories one shell search, sunset, and sand dollar digging session at a time.
The guys raced on the sand
Hours were spent with toes in the sand, drinks in hand, laughing, reflecting, and playing.
I sure am thankful to have a baby who looves the beach. She spent the days soaking up the fresh air.
And playing hard means sleeping hard. Baby girl slept the best she ever has. Two full two hour naps per day and long, long nights of snoozing. All the walking and cruising around surely helps!
Madeira Beach, Florida did not disappoint. With beaches and sunsets, and a boardwalk full of shops, bars, and restaurants, memories were made in abundance.
While our little miss has been on several beach trips with us, and even some of her cousins, this was her first trip with the whole crew. She loves keeping up with all her cousins and they are just as happy to let her keep up. Cousin love makes me happy!
{insert edit here: my husband just texted me while on an away rotation "cousin love makes me happy?!"} Haha, yes he is right. But come on, sisterly love, brotherly love -- you get it, right? ;)
Baby girl's got a soft spot for Johny -- who takes on her walks, cuddles, and shares plenty of playful moments with her -- including scouring the shore for shells to write her name in the sand with :) I was 12 when he was born, and he was 13 when she was born, so it's fun to see the dynamics that I had with him being shared between him and my daughter now. Awwww ;)
It's not just the kiddies that make up the memories. It's the whole family combined. The generations of family members coming together to catch up, enjoy each other, and remember past memories of moments just like these. That's what makes it all so special.
Siblings, young and old, got along (for the most part) and begged to come back again soon. Sunset gazing makes for a tranquil atmosphere, that's for sure!
Some of my favorite families on the beach this weekend, together making up one big family, creating memories and loving the moment.
The Smollett's
The Vicario's
The McDonald's
The Barr's
We sure did miss a few of the family members who couldn't make it, but you were without a doubt thought of.
I think I can speak on behalf of everyone by saying we are truly thankful for the opportunities to spend moments like this together - and we will truly love looking back on these memories while creating new and similar ones in the future.
So much sun, so much fun!
Check back soon for my 'trip after the family trip' to see how I spent the rest of the week!