The beach drove looked different this year. Normally we all caravan down but everyone was on different time schedules so met for a lupper at Luna’s. Mimi and the Rhoads girls headed down about 9:30. We were the second car, leaving 10:30. Mark was the last to leave a little after 11. First car had time to kill, going by the grocery store, souvenir store, and killing time at the restaurant. The Comforts had time to order an appetizer and Mark arrived to order lupper before making our way to the condo.
Traffic was not too bad on the way but seeing the palm trees knowing your close is always exciting
Annual picture in the crab chairs
The condo is quaint. One room had a king bed, another a queen, and the third had a bunk over a full and trundle. We rearranged so our girls could sleep on the air mattress in out room, unpacked, and most of us headed to the beach. Thankful Chris was up to going to pickup our Walmart order but he headed down as soon as he got back.
The girlies headed to the balcony for selfies while the parents unpacked
There is something peaceful about the ocean! The sound, the salty smell … melts the worries away. We enjoyed the first evening on the beach. We all stayed till well after sunset before heading up to get showers, snacks, and bed. Thankful that we are getting to resume our tradition of a family beach trip after missing last year due to Covid.
Finally toes in the sand!
Girlies water bound
Dinner on the balcony
Snuggles before bed
Friday morning, we figured out the air mattress was leaking as it was half deflated. Chris was the only one in our room that slept well. Mimi was up before 6 as well. Sara and Katie were in the couch since they had trouble sleeping in the other room. Needless to say we all enjoyed our coffee! After a cup we were good.
Morning snuggles before most people were up
Slowly people started joining up
Coffee with the ocean view is the best
Gang all up
We made the breakfast buffet as the girls call it where everyone gets what they want. It was quite a spread with cinnamon rolls, sausage balls, bacon, chicken sausage, pancakes, and eggs. It have everyone energy to head to the beach.
Breakfast is always more fun to make when you cook it together
The sand between your toes feels so nice. The girls played in the ocean. We went up to the pool. Various times throughout day we walked on the beach. It was a glorious day with all of us enjoying the sun, sand, and breeze.
Girls always think a pool is fun
Boogie boarding fun
Photo ops on the beach
By one o’clock we were all getting hungry. We loaded up the cars and headed to Sara’s pick, Cobalt. It was yummy. The kids went to the pier afterwards to jump off it at the public park. Katie was the first to leap. Sara followed little sister. Ivy went up but got a little nervous and backed out despite doing it last year. Leia was hesitate but decided not to let the opportunity pass and took the leap. We were proud of each of them! The ones who leaped overcame fear; the one who was hesitant bravely climbed down and held her head up strong.
Three of the girls decided they were going to jump.
Fearless Katie was the first to take the leap
Sara followed suit while Ivy still pondered. Leia decided she was going to join in on the fun too.
Leia took the leap but Ivy thought about it too much and backed out but we were proud of her strength to climb down under pressure. Ivy jumped last year and she will again
That afternoon each of us made their way to the beach in our own time. It was more lounging, playing between the beach and pool, an intense game of corn hole between Lisa and Mimi, Mark throwing the ball with Katie, and the girls walking on the beach. Once we had out fill of sand we headed to for showers and fellowship on the balcony listening to music, talking and laughing; sweet simple times.
Love that Leia enjoyed reading on the beach and splashing in the ocean with Chris and sissy
Chris was taking a picture for the Rhoads’, of course he took a selfie too
Evening fun with playing corn hole … it was a neck and neck game but Lisa came out with the victory
Throwing the ball on the beach
Evening snuggles
Saturday morning everybody woke up at their leisure. Everyone seemed to sleep better, probably due to being beach tired after a full day in the sun. Coffee on the balcony, hearing waves, and watching dolphins jump in the water is pure bliss. Enjoyed the sweet conversations and laughs before breakfast.
What we saw when they figured out momma pulled out a camera
What they really were doing
Everyone got what they requested for breakfast the Mimi and Stacy rooms the kids to the beach, Mark and Lisa went to run/walk, and Chris chilled out with a book. Great start to the day with everyone getting to do what they wanted to do.
We all made it to the beach before lunchtime. There was sand playing, ocean playing, book reading, radio listening … pure out vacation fun … exactly what we plan the next few days to do on repeat. We elected to pick lunch up and eat in rather than going out too.
Mimi made a barrier for the water rushing up since the chairs were a little close to the water
The girls enjoyed playing with Chris in the ocean
The girls gave up before daddy so mommy joined daddy in the ocean
Beach time = nice time
Love Ivy’s sand-work!!!!
The girls wanted to go shopping after lunch though so we still got out. Mimi and Lisa took them to four stores to find souvenirs. Once they all got what they wanted we stopped by an ice cream shop for a little treat too. Mimi always spoils her girls. Then we headed back to the beach for the rest of the evening.
Treats with Mimi
It was peaceful on the beach as it cleared out and we were shaded with the sun behind the building. Chris and Leia was the last two to join us. We took the opportunity for a few photo ops. Reminisced on previous trips, how Papa would love it on the beach in the evenings, and enjoyed a few laughs good for the soul. Chris and Lisa lagged the rest heading up to condo for showers. We all got snacks for dinner then headed to bed looking forward to doing the next day on repeat.
Photo session in the evening lighting always is nice at the beach
Girls still having fun … these three love pictures
Ivy decided she needed a backbend picture so Mimi joined in with a table top
Which turned into a group photo
Uncle Mark said he could do it too … who did it better???
Leia finally made it to the photo session
Mommy made Leia take a picture; she is not a fan but we know she will want them when she is older
Of course little stuff wanted in the picture too, When Chris arrived we told him to smile for the camera too
Love the candid shoot of Mimi
Blessed to get this time with family!
After the photo session these two made up a dance and performed for us
The Comforts were the first ones up in the condo. We were a cup of coffee in by the time Mimi got up. It was a cool 61 degree morning. We snuggled up, had breakfast, and started the day on repeat. Gathering on the balcony, breakfast, and beach/workouts. Sara and Leia joined Lisa working out. Leia decided the beach was calling half way through. So Chris took her to the beach. Sara and Lisa finished up and met everyone at the beach mid-morning.
Mommy and mini me were the first ones on the balcony up so we took selfies for entertainment; Leia was up but vegged out on the couch
Mimi joined us not too long after we got up
Then aunt Stacy and Katie-bug came out too; loved Ivy’s art work so took a picture to remember it
Love our setup with 4 umbrellas and 12 chairs on the end. Plenty of shade and seats for dry or wet bottoms. Chris took the kids out in the pretzel. Leia finished reading her book. Sara started reading the book. Chris and Lisa walked across the street for seafood. Mark walked across street to go shopping. We all enjoyed the day together.
Photo op while Lisa, Leia, and Sara was in the fitness room
Gangs all here
Fun in the sand, ocean and getting vitamin D
Uncle Mark had all the monkeys playing football
Sweet Mimi made sure they all had hats before they took off
Katie dug a pretty deep hole in the sand. It trapped Mimi though so we filled it in; thankful Mimi did not get hurt
The evening came and we ordered pizza on the beach at sunset. Although Leia and Ivy was done with the sand and sun so the Comfort crew headed up early to play games and enjoy time on the balcony listening to the waves away from the sticky sand while the Rhoads savored the time on the beach then moved to the empty pools when the beach became too dark without a light. Mimi split her time between us getting the best of both worlds. Before we realized it was time for bed. Another amazing beach day had come to an end.
Game night for the Comforts and beach night for the Rhoads’
Memorial Day morning was much like the others. We gathered on the balcony sipping coffee, listening to the ocean, looking for dolphins, and savoring the moments. One funny or compliment was Ivy talking about Mimi’s legs. We were talking about walking on the beach and mentioned we had to tell Mimi to slow down after a mile walk. Ivy says, “Mimi has kid legs”. We giggled and said we needed to tell Mimi when she comes back with coffee. Ivy farther explained, “they look like adult legs but they’re strong like kid legs”. Love the compliment Ivy gave Mimi.
Sweet morning snuggles before anyone else got up
Cooking in the kitchen, dancing to our favorite song …
After breakfast, workouts were skipped to make sure we took advantage of the last beach day. We gathered under the umbrellas. It’s funny the girls all sat to chill. This trip you could tell they are all getting older. There was still ball throwing, ocean playing, beach walking, and sand hole digging but there was less playing, less movement or let’s go time, more time relaxing and reading.
Morning photo ops
Mimi got a photo with the Rhoads’ and Comfort gangs
Then we got one on one pictures of Mimi with each of her grand-girl
Pray we have a bond with our girls the way we have one with Mimi
Chris loves pictures 😉
Love-birds
The last day we did not go out we elected to stay at the condo and clean out the fridge. There was plenty of stuff for us to make each meal and by eating in we did not have to pack it later to go home. We tried putting the thoughts of it being our last say out of our minds and enjoy the time together. We all say on the beach until sundown. The girls played in the pool afterwards. We had our latest night out for the last night here full of laughs and sweet moments together.
Mimi joined in on the ball fun with Leia
Enjoying the ocean one last time this trip
Chris playing ball with the girls
Pool fun in the afternoon
Tuesday morning the moms/Mimi was up before 6 to enjoy coffee on the balcony. Chris joined us a little after 6. Mark was well on his way home. We spotted dolphins again as we chilled before heading in to pack and load up. We were at “The Breakfast Club” when they opened to fill our bellies and hit the road to get home after a wonderful family trip.
All the ladies were up early to enjoy the last sunrise of this trip
God’s paintings are amazing!
