We're back from the beach and all though it is a sticky 109 outside...I must say it is good to be home!! We had a great time spending the first week with my whole family (minus a few due to work, school, and missions) and then a second-little quieter week with just my brother David and his family. We played on the beach and in the sand, read the new book by Stephanie Meyer "The Host" and loved it, went to Lego Land, Sea World, and went to the Zoo (where my purse was stolen thank goodness I had taken my wallet out and put it in my backpack...but a bummer none the less). It was a very busy but amazing something we look forward to the entire year. We have 10 beach front condos where the kids run from one unit to the other the entire time - even if it is 11 o'clock at night and never seem to tire until the drive home...which is nice! I have a great family and feel blessed to have the opportunity to live close to them and have such great relationships with them all.
Todd and I are beach lovers...therefore our children are falling in love with it as well. We have started a tradition that will last for many years. Thanks Todd for working hard so the kids and I could stay an extra week while you came home and sweated it out here in the heat!! We love you
Cousin Amy was "AMAZING"! Everyday she would help the kids build some kind of sand castle allowing me the "beached whale" to sit and watch. She won the hearts of so many younger cousins who I'm sure idolize her now for being the "sand castle queen"! Thanks Amy
Despite the fact that I have no pictures of Nicole...she was there she was just never around to be in a picture- she is our most social child earning the nickname of "Social Butterfly" by her 4th grade teacher. This is her with cousins Camille and Emma heading out for a little body surfing.
Gunner loves the ocean!! The first day on the beach he stayed in for 8 solid hours...I'm not kidding!! He got in the ocean every day we were there (except for the two Sundays of coarse) and could stay forever despite the freezing water! The last day he stayed in and boogie boarded by himself for 5 hours- he's a maniac!!
Courtney with cousin Kirkie

The evenings were amazing!! After a fun day in the sun we would unwind to a view like this...I actually took this picture! It was gorgeous
There is a Yacht Club that gathers on Wednesday evenings straight out from our door and Bridget got so excited to see the boats. She would not come in!!! She just keep yelling "see the boats mom...see them" over and over about every minute. I would respond with "yes Bridge I see them" but that was never good enough!! She would yell "look mom look...boats see them" it was so sweet!
See those 3 little heads popping up over the back of the chairs...that's Gunner, Bridget and Courtney in the early evening watching the waves crash on the shore. Something they did often. They would sit there together for 30 minutes or more and just watch in amazement and I would hear "Holy Cow that was a huge one!" or "Wow that one was awesome!" I loved listening to their conversations as much as they loved watching the waves!!