The Beach

We ended our summer with a 10 day trip to the beach. And it was actually really fun for everyone this year! Partly, I think I finally have the mind set that it is not a vacation but a family trip. It is not time for me to relax, but time for me to enjoy my sweet girls with help during the day! Not to mention at two and five, the beach is really fun for them.  No one is scared of the ocean, no meltdowns because there is sand on hands or feet. We never made it longer than about an hour and half at the beach at a time, but that was okay - it was so nice not to have a schedule!

Chris was supposed to fly down and meet us half way through the week, but "Mr Joe" as the girls call his boss asked him why he wasn't going down with us. Chris reminded him he would be gone for 2 weeks, and he said so... just make sure I would remember this when he is working 60 hours a week this fall (so I am bracing myself) but excited for him as they start working on a new idea.

The girls loved their daddy time. After such a hectic winter and spring with Chris traveling to Chattanooga every week, they soaked up the extra time with him!

When I told Emalyn, we were going outside to take pictures before dinner, she responded, "okay, I go get bitty".  So we had to make sure we got a few pictures with bitty in them.

The girls with Bebe - each with bitty in hand. :)

My sweet family! 

Thanks Honey for the cute matching dresses!

 

My big 5 year old! I still cannot believe she is 5. For some reason, 5 seems so much older than 4!

Dancing at dinner one night with Uncle Tee and Miss Caroline

 Celebrating the birthday girl - she was celebrated quite a lot this year!

We brought a few present for her to open at the beach - Uncle Tee gave her a baseball tee & a pink bat. She had blast hitting the ball!

Pillow fight with Uncle Tee! 

We are so thankful for Uncle Tee and Miss Caroline - not only do they keep my girls once a week for us to go to small group, but they truly love spending time with my girls. And for that Chris and I are grateful.

Chris' family came down to the beach the next week, so we stay a few days with them. The house they stayed in was about 40 minutes away, but the beach was so different. There were shell everywhere!

 Maddie and Anna Caroline loved collecting the shells. There is no doubt about it, Miss Maddie definitely has Chris' dark complexion.

Mimi sewed all the girls matching dresses.

Mimi and Grand D with all of the grand kids.

Sweet Macie braided both of their hair for the beach pictures.

Everybody was worn out after the beach pictures!