Beach Baby

We just got back from our annual beach trip this past Saturday. We go to Indian Beach (between Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach) with my parents, brother, sister-in-law and neice for a week each year. Unfortunately, my brother and sister-in-law were only able to stay one night, but my neice was able to stay for the entire week! We loved watching the girls play together each day. Along with play were a few (or more) squables, but they really love each other. Austin is too young to notice that he's odd man out, but he still had a good time. Were were all filthy and exausted at the end of each day, but I think it's safe to say that we all had a blast.

Grandaddy and the grandkids...

If we were inside at any time, chances were that either Snow White, Sleeping Beauty or Tinkerbell was playing on the TV. Here, Bella and Layla were dancing to "Once upon a dream" from Sleeping Beauty :)


My mom brought a tent for the kids to play in on the beach. Unfortunately, the wind didn't allow us to bring it out each day, but when we did- they enjoyed it!

Austin assumed the official "beach bum" position at least once a day! I would've loved to join him!!

Bella never understands that birds don't like to be caught...

Even after 11 months, the girl can't get enough of her little brother...

Austin thought he'd give it a whirl and try and part the sea.

He loves to "walk" now! All he needs is at least 1 finger...

Austin took a break from eating Scott's hair to take a picture...

He loved his "swim" in the ocean!

Austin figured Scott's chair was fair game when he went for a swim...

It wasn't long before Bella squeezed in there with him...

Searching for shells

Grandma's good for leaning on at the end of a long day of playing...

My mom also brought a baby pool with hopes of corralling Austin a little. As you can see here, it didn't serve it's purpose well. But, it was fun!

Don't worry- someone was always very nearby when he took off crawling towards the ocean!

All they need are a couple of glasses of wine...

By the end of the week, we all felt like doing this...

It was another good year for sure! There are always mixed emotions when the week is over. On one hand, it feels good to get back home to our own beds and routines. But on the other, it's always a little sad to know that the days of simply playing all day without a care are over... Bella said on our last day "just 2 more weeks, please Mommy?" But, she passed out as soon as we put her in her carseat to go home. I'm sure she didn't have 2 more weeks in her to play as hard as she had been... For sure though, some wonderful memories were made!