So the whole family including the grandparents, aunts, cousins, and uncles were at the beach together! Nana let Lilly know months ahead of time that we were going to the beach, and this is all that Lilly has been talking about for the past month. She has been ready to see the ocean along with sharks, fish, Sponge Bob, Patrick, and Mr. Krabs! It’s cute how she bunched all of those together. I came later in the week because one of my professors wouldn’t allow me to take a semester exam early. It’s okay – I made an A in the class so it’s all worth it! I’ve been trying to mentally prepare to be away from the kids for a couple days because that’s just a hard thing to do. Paul has been looking forward to time off, but I think the thought of all that sun wasn’t his favorite part! Miracle of miracles he wasn’t a complete lobster – he only burned a little on the first day on his neck! Yes, he was even sitting in the shade! I, however, burned the fire out of myself the last day we were there. We ran out of the good spray, and I thought the lotion would do the trick! Well, I can tell you right now I will NEVER use the lotion stuff again! The beach was beautiful- I love sand between my toes! Lilly even likes the sand because it looked like she took a bath in it every day! Paul and Katie aren’t the biggest fans of the sand, but I still have time to convert Katie! The house was great because we had our own little Flournoy-Malone-Gill zoo! Maegan was the best fill in mom according to Paul, and it was great to see the kids when I got there. Katie turned 1 while we were at the beach, and we had a little ice cream cake that she wanted nothing to do with. We also took Lilly on a boat ride to Shell Island. We got to go play in the ocean there, and Paul tried to find sand dollars. We thought it would be great to find one, but it looks like the only way we were going to come back with them would be by purchasing them at the store! We also got to see dolphins out in the wild. The boat rocking had me terrified we were going to tip although it was never going to happen. Paul got a little sea sick making him glad that he never went deep sea fishing! Lilly took it like a champ. All she wanted to see was the dolphins. On the boat ride back in she passed out from all her fun. The food was excellent this trip. Tammy made all sorts of goodies before everyone went down. George was a cooking machine while we were there, and I think Paul is going to continue to ask for the rib recipe until he gets it right! Maegan made the best pulled pork I’ve had, so if you want a good recipe bug her for it!!! Tom and Tammy also let Paul and I get away for a couple dinners. We got our fill of seafood and steak. One neat thing happened while we were out. We got to watch a storm come in off the ocean, and it looked like a snow storm with the way the sand was blowing around! Also the first day I was there, we saw a school of sting rays going up and down the beach! I flipped out because I didn’t completely hear what Paul was telling me – also it’s just what I do when monsters are coming at me! And speaking of monster, as Paul was looking for sand dollars at Shell Island, he picked up what looked like a rather large shell. Well, it started moving as he was bringing it to the surface. He had his own little freak out moment that made me laugh. I went out to try and help him, and the same crab got picked up by me. That was enough of looking for shells in the ocean for me! Now that we’re home, we’d like another week off to recover from the week off that we had for the beach- wonder if school or work would go for it?! Well, pictures will be up soon!
We had a great time on this vacation! It was everything I could have hoped for. Lilly is a little beach bum like her mommy so they loved it and Katie is a little less excited about the sun and sand like me, but she had so many people around to hold her she was happy. I usually dread the beach because I associate it with sunburns and restless nights with itchy burned skin and sand in the bed, but I was able to avoid both of those conditions for the most part.
The house we stayed at was literally on the beach; we walked out the house onto the deck and down the stairs onto the sand dune 100 yards from the waterline. You couldn’t ask for a better location. Nana, Papa, Lilly, Katie and myself arrived Sunday afternoon and were shortly joined by George, Terry and Maegan. We were also joined by David and Janice and Shelley for a few days. I have to admit, the whole week just flew by.
It was so much fun! I really enjoyed spending time with all of you, ty so much for including us!!!!!