Beach Bums

One of our favorite summer activities has been trips to the beach.  We've gone at least once a month since April.  Yes, we got an early start this year. :)

We made two trips with my favorite beach buddy, Amanda, and her kids.  I don't know of anyone else who likes to stay at the beach as long as I do, so its perfect. :)  Not to mention our kids are in heaven.

 The first day was gorgeous perfection.  Breezy, sunny, warm.  Glorious.  We came just after high tide, which had left these nice little pool in the sand for the little kids to play in.  That made it fun for them and much easier for us to keep an eye on them.  The bigger kids, of course, wore themselves out in the waves.  We stayed until we couldn't stay any longer, showered everyone off in the cool beach showers and drove home while the kids slept.  It was so much fun.

Our next trip couldn't have provided any different weather.  It was cool, overcast and even sprinkled a few times.  But the beach was practically deserted, we were wet anyway from the water, and no one seemed at all bothered by the cooler day.  In fact, it was just as perfect in its own way.

  Paige was trying to drag this bucket full of sand.  That tough stuff for a little bitty girl. :)

 Cute kids. :)

 Ian wasn't actually slinging the sand on Paige.  Just a funny camera angle. :)

 Merry Grace was intent on building a sand castle.

 Ta-da!!!

 What's gonna work? Team Work!!!!

(Paige may or may not, but definitely is, addicted to this show. :))

 Ian also spent time building a sand castle.

 Best Friends.  Love it. :)

 Could little Parkey be any cuter?  I don't see how. :)

What's nice is that there is a friend for everyone. :)

Paige even tried the waves.  What a brave girl. :)

 Paige got sand all in her bathing suit and had to wash it out.  

Of course.

Toward the end of the day, the kids built these trenches to protect their castles.  Which, as we all know, didn't work.  But mostly its just the working together that is so much fun.

I think we set a record by not leaving the beach until 7:45pm.  And really, if the gates to the parking lot hadn't been closing, I'm not sure we'd have even left then.  Another perfect day at the beach. :)