Mimi and Papa took everyone to the beach for a few days. Their new grand-girl-mobile proved to be useful on the way down. Sara hopped in before leaving Birmingham since Mimi and Papa went to the Rhoads house to caravan down. The Comforts met up in route since we were not exactly on the way but as soon as Leia saw everyone else she asked if she could ride with Mimi and Papa too. Sweet Katie waited till after lunch but abandoned her parent’s car, not wanting to be left out of the fun while little Ivy was stuck with mom and dad the whole trip down (I think she liked it better when her sissy or cousin was in the back seat with her).

  

The drive down did not feel to terrible long and we were all at the beach house in no time. The house they rented was fabulous! A 6 bedroom house just steps from the ocean with lots of room in the kitchen, den, and porches plus a private pool. We were blessed the house had everyone spaced out so little Miss Ivy did not keep everyone awake at night. After unloading the car and getting everyone situated in their rooms the moms headed to the grocery store while the dads played with the kids. Between the drive and running out energy upon the first sight of the beach the kids were worn out so it was an early/on-time bedtime for the household. We thought for a brief time Leia may try sleeping in a big girls bed since she kept telling us she wanted to but when it came time to lay down she changed her mind and decided the pack n play bed looked too good to pass up (if she gets any taller she may not have a choice).

 

Ivy was happy to be out of the car!

Welcome to the beach presents

 

Everyone was up bright and early ready to start a fun filled day at the beach on the first day. Mimi, Aunt Stacy, and Lisa has not made it down to the sand so when the girls wanted to run to the ocean Sunday morning they took the opportunity to put their toes in the sand for the first time this year. While Sara and Katie loved playing in the sand at the beach this year, Leia was not too keen on it. What happened in a year? Last year Leia was the one that had to be caught before she went in over her head in the ocean. Luckily, Leia would enjoy the sand it in short spells although she preferred the pool. Ivy was our happy go lucky baby girl watching waves hit the shore, taking a short nap or two under the tent (although she disliked it when she worked her way off the sheet and got into the sand), and watching the big girls splash in the pool or play all over the house.

Who doesn’t go to the beach in pajamas

    

The girls found a table just their size

 

Our little snuggle bug

  

Mimi and Papa got us a awesome tent this year

The girls were patient waiting on it to go up

All the girls enjoying the shade

Sweet Ivy on the beach

 

Lisa and Leia enjoying the beach

  

Ivy’s best naps were on the beach

  

Leia and Mimi enjoying a picnic on the beach before a little R&R in the sand

 

Ivy joined them too

Leia “sunning” by the pool

 

Fun time in the pool with dad

Playing at the edge of the ocean

Our beautiful Mimi

Sara was the only one brave enough to get in the ocean

My big sis with her sweet girls and wonderful hubby

Papa joined the fun by the ocean later in the day

   

Sisters

Monday was basically a repeat of Sunday with only a couple fun exceptions. How nice it was not to think about the day of the week and simply enjoy being together. Papa and Chris did go play golf; it made Papa’s trip that he bet Chris on two holes. That night we roasted marshmallows to make smores. It was the girls first time making smores so we had to show them how to do it. Leia and Sara seemed to enjoy the ingredients individually more than as a yummy, gooey chocolate marshmallow treat. Good thing we started it early since a summer storm rolled in a few minutes after we cleaned up.

The big girls liked waking Papa and Mimi up then playing in their room every mornign

Ivy enjoying chilling on the porch

Fun in the sand
Thank you Sara and Katie for getting Leia to play too

    

Ivy watched the big girls

Ivy’s feet in the sand

The girls took a walk on the beach

  

Water fun

Leia and Katie played a game of frisbee

   

Chris came out just in time to enjoy watching a summer storm

Mommy snuggled Ivy during it to keep her warm

Playing on the porch after the afternoon rain

Smores of fun

            

Tuesday, Papa and Mimi decided the girls should get out of the house for a little extra fun at The Track. They LOVED it! They rode the carousal, flew airplanes, swung in swings, went up high in the Farris wheel, played games in the arcade, and more. Leia keeps changing her mind on what was her favorite thing to do was at The Track but she wants to go back. It is entertaining to see each child’s personality some out as they are doing new things. Pretty sure Princess Leia will be the dare devil in the family. After the girls picked out prizes from the games everyone got to enjoyed a nice dinner out before heading back to the house

Thumbs up as Mimi and Papa play with the big girls

    

Washing the clothes in the pool

Still so in love after 38 years

We love daddy

Fun at The Track

The girls were ready

The fun began

               

Sara was tall enough to drive the go cart

Ivy hanging out with mom and dad while sister plays

On the way to the arcade

   

Chris used his long arms to help win tickets

The girls enjoyed picking a prize

Stacy and Lisa both had to work on Thursday so we had to pack up to head home. However, we did have a couple hours to enjoy the beach before heading out. Chris and Mark loaded the cars while Lisa and Stacy went and enjoyed the tranquility of the ocean since Papa had Ivy, Leia and Sara was entertaining Mimi in the pool (maybe it was the other way around), and Katie was relaxing on a bed. After the cars were loaded Mark, Mimi, Papa, Leia, Katie, and Sara came down to the beach for a little fun too. The ride home seemed longer than the drive to the beach, maybe because we were returning to reality instead of escaping it. Mimi and Papa were able to enjoy a few more hours before deciding to head on back home as well. These times with our girls are so incredible! Thank you Mimi and Papa for taking us all to the beach for a few days of fun!!

Family picture

 

Sara and Katie were pros at helping feed Ivy by the last day

 

Thank you Mimi and Papa for taking all their babies (and spouses) to the beach. We had a blast!