Back from the Beach

We got back from Edisto Saturday and had an evening wedding to attend; Sunday was pretty much our day to unpack, do laundry, and rest. Finally, today, I have time this evening to post pictures from the girls' first beach vacation. We spent the week with Granny, Papa, Aunt Michelle, Uncle Brian, Connor, and Dylan - all in one house! We all had a blast, I am so pleased to report. As many of you know, I was really worried about how the girls would adjust to being away from home for the first time. They didn't miss a beat.

I took a gazillion pictures; these are just a few of the highlights...

Anna Claire and Mallory loved playing on the huge screened-in porch. If we weren't on the beach, this is where we spent most of our time.

Both girls couldn't get enough of the water. Luckily the tides were right, and most days they were able to splash in the waves during low tide.

Anna Claire and Mallory were fascinated by the seagulls and pelicans. Here's Mallory pointing at the birds, but by the end of the week, it was Anna Claire who was saying "bird," and - you guessed it - it sounds like "ba."

Don't want your babies getting away from you? Just dig a big hole and sit them in it. The girls, particularly Mallory, loved playing in the big holes, especially if someone was in the process of trying to dig one!

Anna Claire and Mallory loved taking rides in their new wagon up and down the beach.We had a picnic lunch on the beach every day, and every day the girls got better and better at not eating so much sand!We also ate out a lot, and the girls did great, as the usually do, in restaurants. They had salmon and hush puppies for the first time (still too young for shrimp!). Anna Claire and Mallory also ate their first Ritz crackers last week. They are a new favorite. Notice Anna Claire eyeing Mallory's cracker.

Not only did we take the golf cart to and from the beach each day (a life-saver), but we also took rides around the island every morning before breakfast and every evening before bedtime - so relaxing.

As fast as I could pack the sand in the bucket and dump it out, Anna Claire and Mallory would smash my sand castles flat with huge grins on their faces.All the cousins playing in the crib one morning...

We had such a great vacation as an entire family last week; I don't regret one bit of it. Things went about a thousand times smoother than I ever expected, and I am thrilled that Anna Claire and Mallory seem to absolutely love the beach! I was so sad to leave Edisto and come back to reality; although, it was good to be back home and into our normal routine. We can't wait until next summer!