The beach trip. It's epic. It's stories are told all year long, and September is welcomed with such excitement you'd think it's Christmas. But it's not. It's a time when one week prior to our trip my dining table is covered in a blanket of snacks, beer and sunscreen all waiting to be loaded into the wagon. It's a tradition that is now many years in the making. It's 4 days that we gather together with our friends and kids, and enjoy watching the chaos unfold. Kids have multiplied like gremlins to the point where we are clearly outnumbered, the guys are spending less time on the basketball court and more time emptying the cooler while conversating on the beach, and the girls have really learned how to make the most of Girl Night.
Our roommates were Chris, Alison & Josh this year, and I have to say it was really wonderful. Matt & Josh played like they were best friends, using their imaginations and being creative with what limited playthings we had available to us at the condo. Their condo time was so much fun in fact that many times Matt didn't even want to go down to the beach. Jumping from one bunk bed to the next was one of the favorites. They played so sweetly together, and that in itself made the trip magnificent.
The Toddler Race took place again as usual this year. I think I'll call it Kid Race from henceforth...nothing about Matt is toddler anymore! I love seeing them all lined up with looks of concentration on their faces. Or confusion.
Matt was the clear runner-up. I was just happy he agreed to participate this year. Those long legs served him well.
William, William. He was a fit-throwing pistol one morning that it rained while we were down at the beach. You'd never know it from this picture though. I concluded that he doesn't like getting rained on and being cold.
Someone did a fine job digging this trench, and Will decided he'd try and hide in it.
The night we were all downstairs grilling out, the kids were all over the playground as usual. Will was having fun trying to keep up with the big kids, and he was none too happy when we pulled him away to try and attempt a family photo. That's what I get, huh?
In the kid picture this year both of my kids are visible. Will kept bolting though so I had to keep plucking him back down in his spot. But Matt was a champ and flashed the double hook 'em horns with such passion. Good boy!
Girls' Night was a hoot. We had a nice little surprise baby shower for two of our friends who are soon to be moms. Then we had a rousing game of Taboo which I am really terrible at, but we all had some really good laughs. I love that Holly is cracking up in this shot.
We had a really fun, memorable time with all our friends and their children. For some of those kids this is the only time I get to see them every year, and it is truly amazing to see how much they've changed and grown. What a privilege to be able to be a part of such a group, and such a fun vacation all together. I'm just sad it's only once a year!
'Til next year, Port A!
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