Summer Beach Trip 2011

With five little kids, there is nothing better than trip to the beach.  Sand, salt water, and sea air fuel energy levels and imaginations for days on end.

Here are a few of the highlights:

The beach brought out Andrew's inner acrobat.

It brought out Lucy's inner fashionista:

And sun-worshipper:

Peter mastered the aerodynamics of flying a kite.

Abby painted the nails of every person who would hold still long enough to let the nail polish dry.  (Brothers and uncles included.)

Abby shows off her 4th of July manicure.

Uncle GK shows his love for Susanna.

Susanna shows off her 4th of July firework theme.

Isaac spent hours each day building elaborate tunnels and castles in the sand.   

He was also fearless about swimming in the ocean.  Almost every night, he and Andrew would head out into the surf for a night swim and Isaac loved every minute of it.  For an entire week, he and Abby dominated the world of boogie boarding and body surfing.  It was fun to see them conquer the ocean during this trip.

Henry had a great time playing with cousins.  He kept everyone entertained with his funny personality - one way or another. 

We had a celebration for Andrew's mom who just completed her Master's Degree in education.  (Way to go Ann!)

(The celebration also included a Maypole dance down on the beach and a dead seal that washed ashore at an inopportune time, but some images are better left to the imagination.)

I was reminded that I have always longed to have a lemon tree growing in my back yard.  (This would be heaven for me!)

And I was also reminded how lucky I am to be married to this guy and be a part of his family.   

We ended the trip by meeting up with some of our dearest friends in Seal Beach and celebrated the 4th of July with them.  It was the perfect way to end the trip.

We all drove home feeling grateful for this amazing country we live in, for a great family and for dear friends.  It doesn't get any better than that.

Peter's Excellent Birthday Celebration

Peter celebrated his FOURTH birthday at the end of June and he pretty much hit the birthday jackpot this year.

Even before his actual birthday, we celebrated it at Oma and Grandpa's house during Sunday dinner.  Peter's one request for a cake was "carrot cake without nuts so Henry will eat it."  This caught me a little off guard.  I didn't know Peter had ever tried carrot cake  -  I think I've only made it once before.   The fact that he was so aware of Henry's picky eating habits and tailored his cake to Henry's taste, made me laugh.

Needless to say, on a gorgeous Sunday evening in June, Peter got his carrot cake and it was dang tasty, if I do say so myself.  He couldn't have been happier.

(I love that dimple in his cheek and that cute crooked smile!)

That was only the beginning of Peter's Excellent Birthday Celebration.

For his actual birthday, we were at the beach house in California.  I can't say from personal experience, but as far as I can tell, it doesn't get much better than spending your birthday at the beach house.

Peter started the day opening presents.  He got everything he asked for:

A red slap watch,

A chomping tiger head,

(I have no idea how that tiger became the object of his desires, but it required a last minute trip to Hogle Zoo, minutes before we were trying to leave for the beach - as if we don't have a hard enough time getting on the road without a quick trip to the zoo.)

He also got a great book that has quickly become a family favorite.  

(It's really a must-have for anyone who has a son named Peter.)

So there it was, barely 9:00 in the morning, and Peter had already had a pretty incredible birthday but the day only got better.  The weather was spectacular that day - perfect for spending the day on the beach - so that's exactly what we did.  

Peter got to spend his entire birthday chasing balls in the surf, looking for sand crabs, and building sand castles.  

And when he got hungry, we ate hot dogs on the deck.  Now I ask you, what tastes better than a grilled hot dog at the beach?  Nothing.  Just ask Peter.

Yes, it was a pretty great birthday for our Peter-boy.  In fact, I am a little nervous about how we'll ever top it.  Doesn't it seem a little unfair for a person's birthday celebrations to peak at age 4?  Oh well. It was an amazing day for a great boy and I wouldn't change a single minute of it.

Happy Birthday Peter!  We love, love, love you and we are so glad you are part of our family!