Week at the Beach

We started our week at the beach this year with

Anna's 1 year birthday celebration.

Our friend Margaret and her son, Kord joined us at the beach this year!

Pop and Nana couldn't stay the whole week,

but they came down for the weekend to celebrate Anna's birthday.

On our first trip to the beach it took Ethan a long time

to get used to having sand on his hands.

He's not real fond of the sand texture.

Last year he seemed ok with it being on his hands 

and only insisted on having sandals on his feet.

This year, he did awesome!

I took this picture a few minutes after he sat down in the sand

and I think this was the only time all week that I saw him

look at the sand on his hands with that "yuck" face.

and this was the look on his face at the beach 

for the rest of the week

Owen was a little reluctant about getting in the ocean at first.

But as you will see, this didn't last long.

watching a show on the Ipad before breakfast

watching funniest home videos

Margaret made this amazing low country boil for dinner one night

Cara got swallowed by the wave --

all you can see is her little hand beside me

And, of course, a beach trip isn't complete

without pictures in coordinating outfits

performing the Frozen theme song for us at sunset

Owen's favorite beach activity - flying kites

And Ethan's favorite, by far is swimming in the ocean.

He would have spent all day out there if he could.

Ethan flying the kite one-handed

Before we went I asked Ethan what snack he wanted 

to bring to the beach and he said, "sour cream and onion chips!"

He was in heaven when I gave him the whole bag.

shucking corn for dinner

spraying off all the sand

out for an ice cream treat

filling his pocket with sand

Aunt Allie made these matching towel ponchos for the kids

to wear after getting back from the beach each day

everyone in their matching Topsail Island t-shirts

poor Anna is getting poked in the head

It rained the last day at the beach, 

so we splashed in the puddles on the way to the ocean. 

Owen is giving the ocean a hug "goodbye"

We'll see you again next year!