August at the beach - part 1

We enjoyed spending the month of August so much at the beach last year, that we decided to make it a yearly tradition.  This year we have the house rented for a couple of days in the middle of the month, but other than that, we plan to be here at the beach.

Journey 4 1/2, Willow 23 months

The girls and I hanging out together.  I am so thankful to have two precious girls. 

  Mark and Bill have been busy cleaning up the new boat and getting it ready for fishing, and  I've barely seen Aspen since we've been at the beach.  Diana brought William and Adam down for the first 5 days we were her.  They are like the three amigos.  They are busy from morning til night playing in the forest/creek, making forts, riding bikes or on adventures with Diana.

We found a swing set right on the beach.  So much fun!

 My sweet girl.  She's been saying, "Mom, I need to snuggle with you"  a lot lately.  Not sure if she's needing extra snuggles and attention because of the coming baby or if it's just a phase, but I sure do love her!

I love having a firepit right outside.  It's easy to keep an eye on the action  :)

 I think all boys love fires...

Typical slow morning - watching a few cartoons while they wake up and wait for breakfast.

 One afternoon Diana took the boys to the beach.  The girls and I met them after naps, and despite the day being cloudy and cool, all 5 of the kids ended up swiming around in the stream.  It was a mess getting them back home, but they had a blast.  I got some pretty amazed looks as I was herding them all up to go home, lol.  Just me, big and pregnant with 5 kids....

This girl is all personality.  She keeps us laughing (and sometimes frustrates us terribly!).

 Mark's first fishing trip on the new boat was very successful - 15 tuna, 1 halibut and a blue shark too!  Once they caught the shark, he knew he had to bring it home to show the boys  :)

 We took all the kids on a boat ride.  I think out of all the kids, Journey liked it the most.  Literally, the faster and rougher it got, the more she squealed in excitement :)