Sunset Beach

Warning: This post will be picture-heavy. But I promise you there will be cute beach baby pictures!

Every year, Joe's side of the family takes a trip Sunset Beach, NC for a week. I think we made it to one 'beach week' while we were living in Hawaii. Obviously we had plenty of beach in Hawaii, so that wasn't the draw for us. One year he was deployed, the next we went during post-deployment block leave, and then we had Charlotte (and also no money =P). It felt like we hadn't been in forever and the fact that we were able to drive this time was even better! {After 3 years of needing to fly everywhere, I am 100% in favor of road trips.}

After being stuck in traffic part of the way, we finally made it to the beach just before dinner time. Plenty of time to chat, stretch the legs, and chat a bit before eating.

Hanging out in beach chairs with Eden.

The next morning, we set off to the beach! I mean, it wouldn't be 'beach week' without the beach! 

Playing with Harry in the sand.

This was the first time my little Hawaiian baby has shown any interest in playing in the sand. Ever. To be fair the sand in Hawaii is very gritty, while the sand in NC (and most East Coast beaches, I'd assume) is very, very fine. Anyway, the girl was covered in sand in a very short amount of time. Silly. :) After a while, we decided to walk out to the water.

Much to my surprise, she sat down in the water!

But as soon as a small wave came, she freaked. 

Not much of a Hawaiian baby, huh?

We did many things at the beach like hanging out with Pop, snacking, getting sand out of our toes, throwing sand, dancing, playing with cousins, and just generally had fun.

Dance moves. ;-)

Charlotte basically followed Eden and Harry around all week. LOL

The kiddos weren't the only ones to have fun, either. :)

The girls and Kellan managed to get out to dinner one night.

I so love Eden's face in this!!

Then, one day some of us had lunch at Joe's Crab Shack, where I ate zero seafood.

{We also shopped some after lunch, but no photos were taken. For shame.}

We had lots and lots of family time, which was nice and only slightly overwhelming at times. :)

Some Father's Day pics... 

"Aw, man! I have to take a picture with this guy?!" LOL

Playing with Auntie Anna. :) Love.

Ice cream with Pop.

We usually do a family beach picture whenever we go, but we opted for a picture of the kids in sunglasses from Pop and Bossi this year. It definitely worked out well for the adults. ;-) Kids are always cute no matter what they wear!

 

And, of course, my little miss thought all the fuss was about her. ;-)

Such a ham. :)

For the most part, we had a pretty laid-back week. The kids were a crazy mess, and it's always interesting trying to wrangle kids while hanging out with everyone, but it was really fun. I'm so glad we live close enough now to be able to do this sort of thing! 

Also, I've decided that I miss living at the beach. The weather is so much nicer! 

Do you hear me, Georgia?