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when east meets south

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    • Sunday Snapshot

beach recap

I miss ’em so much already.

We really did have a great time with my sister and her kiddos.

Our kids are all so close in age… mine are (20 – but at summer school) 15, 11, 8, 6, 6, 4, 3 and 2. And hers are 14, 10, 7 and 4.

So, between them all, they had no problem finding things to do.

And, between them all, they had no problem getting ridiculously nutty.

Even a poor, unsuspecting crab was fodder for some tom-foolery.

Animal lovers fear not, no crabs were injured in the making of these pictures.

Dane, my sister’s oldest son, came home from China in 2006, just a few months after Sophie.

He was and is an incredible kid. Fell into their family seamlessly and continues to bless their socks off.

He and Dalton are the best of buddies. They share a love of Wii that runs very, very deep.

Zach, as the oldest child present, needed some chill time.

From what?!? you might be thinking. I know, me too. I could never get tired of a passel of small children. All carrying shovels and flinging sand.

He somehow managed to find a spot far, far away.

But we found him.

Me and my merry crew.

Something about the beach just puts everyone in a happier place.

And this day was no different.

In fact, we were all smiling a bit wider on this day, as a rain storm had moved in…

and moved out.

And took all the other beach-goers with it.

So we were left with a gorgeous beach, after a rain.

And not another soul in sight.

We liked having the ocean all to ourselves.

So, instead of packing up and leaving when dinner time approached,

we just dug in and stayed awhile.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect.

Or the company.

Yes, she can jump that high.

And yes, his dimples are that cute in person.

Even from afar.

Even though it was just a year ago that our families were together, it seemed like it had been far too long.

So many changes have taken place in the last year.

Cole, home now for a year and a half, is doing great.

His heart condition? A non-issue.

His smile? Priceless.

This is about as close as he’d let me get, though. He’s crazy about his mama and has no need for over-the-top aunts. I can’t say that I blame him.

To everyone here who played a part in helping him come home, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

God is good.

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07.29.10 · family, vacations 11

Comments

  1. Tina Michelle says

    July 29, 2010 at 2:21 PM

    How fun! Those pics are adorable. I cannot wait until my kids have cousins but they will all be so far apart in age that mine will probably be babysitting their little cousins! LOL Glad you had fun with your sis and her kiddos. Thanks so much for sharing with us!

    Reply
  2. Robin says

    July 29, 2010 at 3:00 PM

    Beautiful pictures and so glad you had that great family time. I know you were sad to see them go!

    Blessings,
    Robin

    Reply
  3. Carolin says

    July 29, 2010 at 3:15 PM

    Looks like a great time! I can only imagine how much you enjoyed catching up with your sister and family. I saw where your picture of your niece made it to PW's site!!! AWESOME picture!

    Reply
  4. Chasing Dreams Photography says

    July 29, 2010 at 3:25 PM

    The pictures are gorgeous!!! I can't believe how big your sister's son is…is that the same little boy that you ran a fundraiser for? Is that a different sister??? oh my gosh he is handsome. I love your family pictures….looks like you all had such a wonderful time together : )

    Reply
  5. Debby says

    July 29, 2010 at 3:54 PM

    Beach time is wonderful & especially great when you can share it with cousins!!!

    Reply
  6. clearness says

    July 29, 2010 at 4:19 PM

    Thanks for sharing the beach with me. I love the beach. How nice to basically have it all to yourselves!

    Reply
  7. Jami says

    July 29, 2010 at 5:22 PM

    we grew up going to the beach every year with our cousins. this brings back those good good memories. your families are beautiful!

    Reply
  8. Beach Mama says

    July 29, 2010 at 5:53 PM

    Amen!!! We love to head to the beach in the late afternoon/early evening. We like having the beach to ourselves too! Last night was our first family beach trip of the summer. Can't believe we have been so busy as to not have gone until now. God rejuvenates on these trips and makes me appreciate my family so much more. I KNOW I am bkessed!

    Reply
  9. Kristi says

    July 29, 2010 at 7:06 PM

    There's nothing like time with a sister and watching your kids play, is there?
    Beautiful photos, and the one of Asher (or maybe it was Dalton) with the seaweed on his head made me laugh out loud!

    Reply
  10. Football and Fried Rice says

    July 30, 2010 at 1:22 AM

    i can't believe you had the beach to yourselves! it could rain on me ANY day for that! so glad you got some sister time and so sorry that it went way too fast!

    Reply
  11. Kim says

    July 30, 2010 at 1:51 AM

    We are doing the same … cousins at the beach! Priceless!

    Reply

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I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
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