Our Beach Vacation Part 1

Last month we were lucky enough to spend not one, not two, but THREE straight weeks at the beach! It was a fantastic. We spent the first week with Ryan's family, one night in a hotel in town just the five of us, and then two weeks with my family. In those three weeks, with two cameras, Ryan and I took over 2,000 pictures! So, after going through each one and picking out my favorites [a very difficult task], I've decided to break up the pictures and happenings so as to not completely inundate one post. 

Our first week at the beach was filled with lots of partying and celebrations. Since we don't get to see them as much and Aunt Nicole, Uncle Michael, and Parker were soon moving to Kansas, we celebrated mine and Ryan's birthday one night.

with help from our babies, of course

And then later in the week, we sang to Uncle Michael and Aunt Nicole for their upcoming birthdays.

And Father's Day just a bit early too.

[LOVE this picture]

Clay Edward, David Edward, Ryan Edward

Of course, most of all there was LOTS of beach play. David's number one sand castle building assistant was Uncle Michael. Many times he would work hard on a super cool castle just to have David smash it upon completion. 

Rachael loved playing at the shoreline,

relaxing in the sun,

and eating the sand.

The kids didn't have many opportunities to play with Parker at the beach, but when they did they made the best of it. 

Me with my youngest nephew, Parker!

Cousins.

David, 3 years; Parker, 13 months; Rachael, 20 months

David also had a great time playing around the pool. He was a bit hesitant to get in too far the first week. But, he did enjoy putting on his scuba gear.

Bogie had a fantastic time too. He loved looking for small fish in the shallow waters, taking beach naps, and watching over his babies.

Mama and Daddy [with a photo bomb from David]

Our precious beach babies exhausted from another day of fun.

Ryan caught this 19 lb. Red Snapper that was almost as tall as Rachael!

Our first attempt at a family picture on the beach. Not bad.

David and Rachael with their paternal grandparents- Bing and Twinkle.

The big kids with their little kids.

And a group shot.

Our first week at the beach came to an end much too soon. But, we were excited to have a night with just us in town at a hotel overlooking the Apalachicola Bay.