Ways the Beach Was Different This Year

So the week before last (I'm really slow posting these days!), we were able to go on a week-long vacation to the beach with Grandma & Grandpa and all my brothers & sisters, as well as Carson's cousins.  My parents found an amazing house for us all to stay in--plenty of room (and rooms), close to the beach, and a pool in the back.  Perfection!

We enjoyed having so much time to spend with the family, watching Carson with her cousins, and also getting to spend some quality time together as our own little family unit.  Thankfully, Brandon was able to get away from work--and Carson was in  heaven getting to see so much of him during the day (me too)!

That said, this vacation was much different from any other we've been on, mainly because we have a baby this time.  Here were some of the differences we noticed:

1. actual time on the beach--Normally, we head to the beach at least once a day and stay for awhile, soaking up sun, playing in the water, and making sand castles/digging holes/burying the nearest sibling.  Carson, however, didn't really like the beach, so I am ashamed to say there was a day or two we didn't even go down there.
 
Here she is on the way to the beach for the first time, thinking--explain to me again why I have sunscreen, a diaper, a bathing suit, a cover-up, and a hat on....?

Her main issue with the beach was with the waves rushing toward her, even if they barely touched her.  She would sit and play on a blanket just fine, but she seemed to be confused as to why it was so freaking hot.  Her face said, "I play on a blanket all the time--INSIDE, with air conditioning.  What is the point of THIS?"

2. the pool--It was incredibly convenient having the pool at the house, so we were able to get in the water when we felt like it without having to "gear up" for the beach and lug everything down to the sand--only to decide 20 minutes later it was too hot for the baby and do it all in reverse.  The pool was definitely more Carson's style.

Diva!

Come 'ere, float!!!

Do you think these two ladies are related, with their hats and their lips?  :)

3. Napping--Normally a trip to the beach involves a LOT of napping.  I'd say daily napping, really.  This year, there were naps every day, but they were taken by Carson, not by Brandon and I.  Okay, so maybe we still found some time to nap.

There was only one day the whole trip when all 3 kids were napping at once--so what did we grownups do with that valuable time?  Play Marco Polo in the pool, of course!  Really, it was one of our favorite parts of the trip, getting to goof off and play around, while Grandma and Grandpa listened for the babies.

4. reading--Usually, I finish about 3 books during vacation week, depending on how many puzzles we work on. This week, I finished about 3 chapters. There just wasn't the time to sit and read like usual, unless it was a board book covered in drool!


5.  this guy--Patrick provided entertainment the entire week.  We never got tired of talking to him, watching him with the girls and in the pool, or playing with him.  He is a true joy--so excited, so smart, and so loving.  He made us wonder why 2-year-olds are notoriously terrible, because he is anything but. 
Also, I think it's funny that we have so many pictures like this.  He loved to say, "Whatareyoudoing, Carson (or 'Car', or 'Carson Bean')?" and wanted to be as close as possible to her as often as possible.  What a sweetie!

Pucker up!

6. Carson and Madelyn--Our girls played and played and played together, and we had so much fun watching!  Carson was pretty sure whatever toy Maddy had was the better one and would quickly take/trade with her repeatedly.  It was fun to watch them watch each other and react.  And here's a conversation I'm pretty sure took place:

C: (whispering) Come here, let me talk to you.

C: YOU get up at 1am tonight, and I'LL get up at 3am.

M: Good idea! And then tomorrow, we'll just start our day at 5am.  Deal?

(I love this picture--looks like they're doing some serious secret-sharing!)

C: Deal.  Oh! Play it cool, here they come.

7. these guys--The search for oil was definitely on in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida!  There were constantly workers walking up and down the beach with nets, as well as tractors driving back and forth, delivering supplies.  Thankfully, they said there were no signs of oil washing up so far.

8. how fast it went by--I think, more than ever, the days blurred together and raced past.  Before we knew it, the week was over!  Thank you a thousand times to my parents for such an enjoyable and special time together!

And here's a slide show of some more pictures from the week: