The Beach.

We just got back from a big family vacation to Emerald Isle, North Carolina with my entire side of the family.  It was so much fun, and watching all the cousins play together was great. 

We had to fight tooth and nail to get them to let Bella go (very civilized fighting…) and we finally came to a compromise that allowed her to join us.  I was thrilled.  At this point in the game, isn’t it a little ridiculous not to allow her to go on our family vacation?  She’s been with us for over a year.  She is part of our family.  (It had more to do with us going on two week long family vacations in the span of a month than anything – but still.)

In all there were 16 people staying in the same beach house for the week, which is pretty much the definition of chaotic.  But it was good, family chaotic.

I will pause here to say, if therapeutic parenting and dealing with food issues is difficult in the day to day….then doing it in a house full of chaos and tons of kids is impossible.  I just had to hold my breath and get through it – but there was absolutely nothing therapeutic about the way I parented last week.  Blegh. 

 

Bella and Sylvia’s first run down to the ocean after a 20 hour car ride.  I wish I could have recorded the giggles going on in this picture.

Anyway, it was all three of our girls first time getting to swim in the ocean and enjoy the beach, and they all had a BLAST.  I wish I could post pictures of Bella’s face when she was playing in the waves, because it was utter joy.  Naomi and Sylvia loved it – and I was in no way surprised that Naomi had absolutely no fear of the waves.  As in, she would walk straight into the ocean as if it were the baby pool at the rec center.

 

Naomi putting her feet in the ocean for the first time.  She was thrilled.  Notice she’s trying to get away from me so that she can go play in the waves by herself.  The waves that were three times as high as her head.

 

 

 

 

My little smurf in her 80’s sunscreen.

 

 

 

 

Visiting Fort Macon, which the girls were interested in for approximately 5 seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playing in the waves with Uncle Scott.

We couldn't get Bella out of the waves all week.  She’s a little fish!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Desi and Sylvie in the waves with Hannah.

 

 

 

 

Naked baby on the beach.  Anything cuter?  I think not.

 

 

All the cousins in their home made tie-dye shirts.

Such a fun week.  Nothing like playing in the waves.  The girls had so much fun, and I am so glad that they will have such fun family memories.  More pictures to come as soon as I get my hands on my sisters’ cameras!