Vacation, had to get away (Pt. II)

We vacationed in South Bethany Beach, Delaware again. We like to think of this as "our" beach because we've been going there for so long. I've been to many beaches over my lifetime and SBB is by far my very favorite as a vacation destination. (No offense VB, I loved living there). It's small and private, not too far of a drive, the water is great in July, seagulls don't steal food from right out of your hands and the lifeguards aren't very picky.

We stayed in the same house as last year. nothing fancy but it's an easy walk to the beach. And what it lacks in amenities it more than makes up for in important areas - like beds and parking spaces. Which brings me to my next point - our guests.

In addition to our family, my parents...

... two bachelor brothers, and their gazillion friends - Landon, Steven, Luke, Jordan, Ryan and Mark.


Uncle Micah and "Mr. Landon"

The girls were kinda outnumbered, Julia didn't mind a bit. That girl can work a crowd!

Jack loved having "big boys" to watch Spongebob with.

We also had our friend Michelle come for the first half of the week. Michelle's daughter got married on Saturday and while the bride and groom were honeymooning we figured the mother-of-the-bride could use a change of scene too. After she left our friend's Phil and Abi and their daughter came for one night.

Sweet Baby Rae.

Rae can hold her own with my boys!

  And Jordan's parents Beth and Robert finished out the week.

Robert hit the jackpot at the arcade!

We also had a few day guests - Jason and Beth with their two boys.

Darling Justus!

He was putting the moves on Julia.

Jack loved having a buddy his age, and Trenton was a great pal!

There was also Landon's mom and her boyfriend, and Landon's brother and some of his youth group. And finally we had some familiar neighbors - our church friends the Good's and their 6 kids were a few miles down the road and came to beach with us a few days.

Jack loves anyone who will build him sandcastles and carrying buckets of water.

  And our lifelong friends and yearly beach buddies the Snyder's were in a house directly across the street.  Phew, I think that covers everyone.
As you may remember from prevoius vacation posts, this is how my family does the beach: we wake up, eat breakfast, packs our bags, go to the beach all day, come back for dinner, and hang out at night. 






In the evenings, people that don't have kids usually go out and do fun things.  Those of us that do have kids (okay, so just Jon and I) typically stay back at the house and do fun things.  Sorta.  People that have kids also usually bring the kids back for a nap in the middle of the day and either do work (Jon) or read books out on the deck in order to not miss out on a moment of suntanning (me). 



Speaking of naps, they're always tricky on vacation.  No one wants to sleep their holiday away.  But no one wants to spend time with cranky kids either.  Julia is down to two naps a day but due to the late nights and short naps at the beach, she started needing a third one.  Sometimes it was difficult to get her to sleep in the mornings, and other times we didn't feel like bringing her back from the beach.  Good thing we had the Ergo.  I know I talk about it all the time but it was a total lifesaver this week.

Uncle Micah takes a turn.

  When she started to get fussy and rub her eyes I just put her on, started walking down the beach and she was out by the time I passed the first lifeguard stand.  The only downfall is I was then stuck with a sleeping baby on my chest.  But I'd rather be out on the beach under an umbrella than stuck in the house or on a deck all by myself.  So we made do.

The change in our routine definitely affects the kiddos.  Jude, who slept on an air mattress in Poppa and Marmie's room, was often up a few times in the night.  Jack, who slept in the open loft often complained that the lights were too bright (and by lights he meant sunshine because he had a huge window in his room), and Julia was up every morning around 4:30-5 for a quick bite to eat and to spend the next hour or two in our bed.

"Oh, I'm sorry.  Is it too early for my morning calisthenics?"

Ah yes, vacation.  Not what it used to be that's for sure.

But it certainly has it advantages.  Like only having to cook one meal a week.  We did our meal first - chicken salads.  This was followed by shish kabobs, tacos, barbecued ribs, spaghetti and jumbalaya.  In addition to a sampling of crabs that the guys caught throughout the week.  Oh yes, we eat well at the beach.

Mr. Stepen and Uncle Micah

Taco night, in which Ryan determines cilantro makes an excellent alternative to deodorant.

  We play hard too.

  Poleish , Blongo Ball , Kan Jam

I'm convinced my brothers own every type of tailgating game known to man.  Well at least they did until this week.  Good things our friend Phil and Abi introduced them to a new one - Spikeball.



We also play lots of games at night - card games, dominoes, Bananagrams and a new one - Sumoku (like a cross between Bananagrams and Sudoku).

 
And then there are those of us who think vacation is all about reading.  Oh wait, that would be me.  Here was the results my pre-beach library trip.  I don't get through as many as I did back in the day but I at least beat last year's pile. 



"Bloom " by blogger Kelle Hampton - beautiful story, beautiful pictures, will probably make you cry and may annoy you just a little. But I like Hampton too much to hold a grudge.  If you're a fan of "Enjoying the Small Things" you'll find a lot of additional details in this book.  Worth the read.

"The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels--a Love Story " by another blogger, Ree Drummond.  The Pioneer Woman is awesome.  'Nuff said.  Except I'll say more. This book had me laughing out loud.  It's all about how this corporate woman met and fell in love with her cowboy husband.  It's a little heated at times (although she never crosses the line) but it was a good reminder that everyone has a love story.  And a little motivation to finish writing my own. 

I also "read" the Pioneer Woman's cookbook.  The only cookbook I've read cover to cover.  And
two Janette Oke books - "The Centurion's Wife" and "Julia's Last Hope."  These were okay.  Not her best.  But since I've read all the rest I guess I'll have to take what I can get. 

I planned to read Bonhoeffer's "The Cost of Discipleship" since finishing his biography.  But never got around to it, opting instead for some "lighter" beach reading.

Speaking of reading, I've been staring at a computer screen for most of the day and I have the final book on my list waiting for me in my big, comfy bed.  So I'll save the rest of the beach stories for next time!