Beach Days!

What fun we had!!! I can't believe it is over!!!

We all got down to Ocean City, NJ between 11-1:30 and somewhat unpacked. We got lunch at a pizza place and then unpacked a bit more before hitting church. After church we finished unpacking and making beds before heading to the Sindia (our traditional first night down restaurant). The food was delicious! I had a great big piece of flounder with a soup, two veggies, and homemade dessert to follow! (All included) It is very reasonable for the price!

Sunday when we all woke up it was dreary and rainy... boo hiss... the first day down with rain is NO fun!! RJ ended up sleeping in until 10am! Morgan wanted to go to the beach and we tried to explain to her that it was raining. Late morning it cleared up and the guys (Uncle Bobby, Uncle Andy, and Daddy) went fishing while the rest of us ate lunch then headed down to the beach for a couple hours. It was nice and cool on the beach b/c of the passing storm.

Monday morning Daddy took the kids for a bike ride in the hitched on bike trailer to his bike. They both loved it!! We got to the beach and enjoyed playing in the sand and watching Morgan's delight at sandcastles and RJ's enjoyment of eating sand... mmm... yum. Monday night Daddy and I went out by ourselves. We attempted to go to the Crab Trap (in Somerspoint) but there was at least a two hour wait... so we decided to reverse our plans. We went into Atlantic City so Daddy could gamble a little bit (I don't really enjoy it) and then back to the Crab Trap for a late supper. It worked out great! But even getting back around 9:30ish there was still a fifteen minute wait! Crazy!! The food was well worth it!! We will definitely go back! Slightly expensive, but delicious!

Tuesday we got up and went bike riding again. It is a nice way to start out the day! I joined Daddy and the kiddos today. The bike seat hurts my rump... so I don't enjoy it as much as Daddy... but as a family at the beach is fun! We had breakfast and then started the ritual of packing the lunches and lotioning up. It was hotter on the beach today. We stayed on the beach from 11ish until probably a bit after five! We all came home and showered and ate in. MeMom made chicken fajitas. Everyone enjoyed! We then headed to the boardwalk. Morgan's first opportunity for rides! She loved the 'horses' on the merry-go-round. She also went on a ride that was all jeeps. Those were her two favorite!! She had a lot of fun, but still so serious... not many smiles! RJ was pooped and fell asleep while Morgan enjoyed the rides!

Wednesday morning Daddy and I got up and rode our bikes down to breakfast alone at the Chatterbox while the babes kept sleeping. The food was ok, and the service was much better than previous years when we went for supper. Aunt Meggie watched RJ when he woke up for just a short while until we got back. We headed to the beach after breakfast, packing lunches, and suntan lotion. It was hot on the beach but we all had a great time. Around 3ish we heard thunder and decided to pack up and head back to the house. It did rain hard starting around 6pm. We packed up our kiddos and headed to Obadiah's for supper. We were not very impressed with our meal or our service. We do not think we will be going back. RJ chowed down on his chicken tenders, and Morgan nibbled... but the poor service made our decision very easy not to return and to try other places next year! When we got home the rain had stopped so we headed up to the boardwalk for a quick stroll.

Thursday we woke up and got Morgan ready for the baby parade. Thank goodness it was cloudy and not too hot... because she had to be at the judging area at 9am and the parade didn't start until 10:15... and because her division was towards the end it was a lot of hurry up to wait! She got to us a little before 1pm. Crazy...long parade! There were some floats that were over the top amazing (i.e. one that had a pony escorting the float down the boardwalk?!). Morgan did great! She sat in her airplane and waved at the onlookers (if they waved at her first). She didn't 'win' her category, but she and Daddy (who pulled the airplane) had lots of fun! Morgan also got a little baby parade trophy as a memento for participating in Ocean City's 100th Baby Parade. After the festivities were over we ate lunch at the house then went down to the beach for a few hours. After we got home and freshened up MeMom, Pop Pop, and Aunt Meggie went to the casino and we ordered in from a hoagie shop for supper with Auntie Nikki and Uncle Bobby. After we ate we walked on the boardwalk for just a short time since it was getting late. Yet another great day!! Proud Daddy with his daughter... something the two of them will remember! Lots of pictures will help Morgan remember!!

We could not believe it was Friday!! The time seems to fly by so quickly. We got up and rode the surrey this morning. Slightly disastrous...but it was still nice to do something just with my small family! Morgan and RJ rode in the front basket while Daddy and I peddled. RJ got a little fussy (we woke them both up to be able to go... so he hadn't eaten yet) so for the ride back I held him on a knee and peddled... I'm sure that was a sight for sore eyes! Up and down goes the baby with my knee... We ate breakfast and headed down to the beach. We ate in and then went to the rides. Even RJ got to go on a couple rides with me! We had a really nice night at Wonderland... although it was crowded... it wasn't out of control at the kiddie rides. Aunt Meggie went out some rides with Morgan and watched as she went on some "All by Myself."

All the preparation and the week is gone with a blink of an eye!! We had such an amazing time, giving the kids new experiences and lots of fun on the beach, on the boardwalk, and sharing quality time with the whole family.

Saturday was a long and enjoyable but sad day! The last day is always the hardest! We got up early and packed up all our things. We had to be out of the downstairs by 10am, the upstairs by 11am. As we were leaving the house we met the owners of the downstairs who next year are willing to to rent directly to us! That will save us some $$ so that made everyone (especially my parents that pay the bulk of the weekly rent) very happy! After we got out of the house we headed down to the beach for our last sand visit for the year! Morgan played in the wet sand with RJ and RJ loved the water again! Morgan still refused to even put her toes into the water! I'm not sure why she was so scared, but she really didn't want any parts of the water! Did I mention Morgan, RJ, Daddy, and MeMom fed the birds while Aunt Meggie filmed for Momma and Momma took video! Wasn't sure who had more fun... MeMom or Morgan! Young at heart... we love you like that MeMom!!!

Overall we had a fantastic week!! It was a lot of fun and very rewarding, but Daddy and I decided it wasn't necessarily 'relaxing' and the reading we got done was very minimal. I usually read at least two books... this year I read about half of one book!

What we will remember is how much RJ loved the sand and eating it, and how much Morgan loved playing in the sand, but hated the water! Did I mention one day during the vacation I held her and forced her to go in with me... literally crying the whole way... even submersing her (the mean Momma I am) did not get her over the fear! But I got her on film for the few minutes I forced her to get in with a death grip!

Thank you MeMom and Pop Pop for allowing us to enjoy another year at the beach, without you it would not have been possible this year! Aunt Meggie, thanks for letting us all be roommates! Hopefully you got lots of memories to keep!!

Happy Yearly Ocean City, NJ trip! Great memories to keep forever!

More pictures to come!