So we survived the 'getting there' and now for the best part--the whole reason we endure the 'getting there' . . . the staying there! We were drained from the crazy all day ride (have I mentioned the getting there yet?) and were looking forward to a good nights sleep. Last year Ben slept in my parent's closet and did wonderfully (never fear, it is about the size of a normal bedroom) so we decided to do that again. We offered him a toddler mattress but he begged for the pack n play which he barely fits in but he shimmied in like a champ and was out for the night . . . until about 5:30am when he decided to get out and check out his surroundings. Of course he had to say hi to grandma and grandpa at that ungodly hour. Upon hearing him on the monitor I swooped down and extracted him and what else could I do in a house full of sleeping people with a wired 3 year old but head to the beach? I had ambitiously planned to get in some early morning workouts so he and I hopped on a bike and got our first glimpse of the beach. I tried to get in some semblance of a workout while he chased seagulls, waves and dogs as the sun slowly crept upwards on the scenic horizon. As disgruntled as I was to get up so early on day 1 I have to admit it was kind of fun and definitely a moment to remember with my little man.
With 13 adults and 10 kids how could the week be anything but fun, entertaining, crazy and exhausting? It did not disappoint. We were able to hangout with some of our other dear friends as well (The Nobles, my mom and dad #2 growing up and Susan--our honorary sibling--and her husband Dan and son Matthew) which made the week all the more memorable.
We moved to the next level with the bike riding this year as the girls are solid two wheel riders now sans training wheels. We didn't let them ride solo the whole time but did some family rides and allowed them to try their hand at independent riding a few times. They did great but I thought I was going to have a heart attack from anxiety at every intersection and stop sign.
We had only one significant near drowning event involving Ben which is a huge improvement from last year's record setting year of 4 attempted drownings. I was inside with Jack and Ben was instructed to get his floatie on before getting into the pool. He neglected to ask for help with the back buckle, jumped in and I guess his floatie just floated off. I didn't see it but came out on the patio that is above the pool and I saw a little submerged blond head not 3 feet from no less than 3 swimming dads. I hollered for some life saving to be done and he was quickly rescued. He did not require any resuscitation and other than some tears was no worse for the wear so he must not have been under very long. It apparently has and a huge impact on him though because almost every night he thanks God that dad saved him from drowning (that's right, no credit for mom) and he prays that he won't drown again and that someone will buckle his floatie next time. Geez Ben, squeezing my heart little man! So next time Ben is going to just eat/sleep and drink while wearing his floatie. Jack too for that matter.
Jack was at that tough vacation age where he just wanted to crawl to his death in the pool or to his death in the waves or coat himself in sand and cry his eyes out. Next year will be better. Thankfully with so many loving family members around we had a lot of help which made all the difference. My sister Amy was especially helpful and was his nanny for the week. Couldn't have done it without her!
My parents generously offered to stay with the sleeping munchkins in the evenings for the sibs/spouses to go out which was always a good time. We still like each other after all these years :).
We taught the kids how to play 4 square on the beach which was a hit and we had quite the age range of players from 75 down to 5. The 75 year old was no less competitive than the 5 year old (namely Lydia, my little clone). It was a fun tradition to start and hopefully continue.
The annual family picture was way less painful than usual. We still bribed the kids with lots of candy but they all did surprisingly well.
Bailey, Lydia and Grace
Line 'em up!!
Jack still using his walker like an old man. thought he might try to try his hand at walking this vacation but no go.
Smores with grandpa
Uncle Eric's firefigher gear
My early morning man
Sticky powdered donut baby!
The twins bunk room for the week
With 13 adults and 10 kids how could the week be anything but fun, entertaining, crazy and exhausting? It did not disappoint. We were able to hangout with some of our other dear friends as well (The Nobles, my mom and dad #2 growing up and Susan--our honorary sibling--and her husband Dan and son Matthew) which made the week all the more memorable.
We moved to the next level with the bike riding this year as the girls are solid two wheel riders now sans training wheels. We didn't let them ride solo the whole time but did some family rides and allowed them to try their hand at independent riding a few times. They did great but I thought I was going to have a heart attack from anxiety at every intersection and stop sign.
We had only one significant near drowning event involving Ben which is a huge improvement from last year's record setting year of 4 attempted drownings. I was inside with Jack and Ben was instructed to get his floatie on before getting into the pool. He neglected to ask for help with the back buckle, jumped in and I guess his floatie just floated off. I didn't see it but came out on the patio that is above the pool and I saw a little submerged blond head not 3 feet from no less than 3 swimming dads. I hollered for some life saving to be done and he was quickly rescued. He did not require any resuscitation and other than some tears was no worse for the wear so he must not have been under very long. It apparently has and a huge impact on him though because almost every night he thanks God that dad saved him from drowning (that's right, no credit for mom) and he prays that he won't drown again and that someone will buckle his floatie next time. Geez Ben, squeezing my heart little man! So next time Ben is going to just eat/sleep and drink while wearing his floatie. Jack too for that matter.
Jack was at that tough vacation age where he just wanted to crawl to his death in the pool or to his death in the waves or coat himself in sand and cry his eyes out. Next year will be better. Thankfully with so many loving family members around we had a lot of help which made all the difference. My sister Amy was especially helpful and was his nanny for the week. Couldn't have done it without her!
My parents generously offered to stay with the sleeping munchkins in the evenings for the sibs/spouses to go out which was always a good time. We still like each other after all these years :).
We taught the kids how to play 4 square on the beach which was a hit and we had quite the age range of players from 75 down to 5. The 75 year old was no less competitive than the 5 year old (namely Lydia, my little clone). It was a fun tradition to start and hopefully continue.
The annual family picture was way less painful than usual. We still bribed the kids with lots of candy but they all did surprisingly well.
Bailey, Lydia and Grace Line 'em up!!Jack still using his walker like an old man. thought he might try to try his hand at walking this vacation but no go. Smores with grandpa Uncle Eric's firefigher gearMy early morning man Sticky powdered donut baby!The twins bunk room for the week
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