UPDATE - I added a video at the bottom of this post with Mason and the bear at the rest stop.
Can you tell I'm really far behind in posting...
We (my parents, Brian, Mason and I) left for the beach on Friday, September 16th. We thought we'd drive through the night since we could check into our house anytime on Saturday, and hoping Mason would sleep most of the drive.
First stop - Wendy's in Dalton. Gotta have a frosty for a good start!
Second stop - Beckley, WV. Gas, stretch, diaper change, potty. I love Mason's perch. If only it would be safe to sit there while actually driving on the highway!
Mason did sleep for about three hours, then he was awake for a while (happy, unhappy, tired) and then went back to sleep for a few more hours.
We've arrived! After a breakfast stop at McD's a few miles away, we arrived at our home away from home. It was just as wonderful as the pictures portrayed!
Happy to be playing wild and free!
Happy to be relaxing and catching up on some missed sleep.
Wedding on the beach Saturday night. This was the view from our deck.
Smiles - we're here!
Daddy and Mason watching the Nebraska football game. Please note - it's just them! :)
Playing on grandpa.
We didn't have "perfect beach" weather, but we enjoyed the week just the same. Sunday morning it was cool and a bit rainy, but Brian wanted to go fishing. Mason and I tagged along to the waterway and enjoyed the water, shells, and rocks.
Mason and daddy casting...
Mason enjoyed reeling...
and was really good at it!
Happy boys!
Still casting, but collecting shells too! (Brian informed me - it's not fishing unless you catch something, so we were casting. He did visit the bait shop and got some good stuff. He caught a few fish, but nothing big enough to eat.)
Cleaning the sand from in between the toes. We really tried to leave as much sand outside as possible!
First dip in the ocean!
Mason plopped down, but wasn't too sure about the waves coming to get him.
Toes!
It took him a bit, but he soon warmed up to the water and the fun! Too bad the water didn't warm up to him - it was pretty chilly!
Our set-up. Our house is the one peeking out from behind the peach colored one.
He nearly fell a few times when the wave went back out and the sand moved from beneath his feet.
So high!
These two were best buds all week! Daddy and Mason spent most of the beach time in the water or playing in the sand.
Waving to the camera.
Refreshments. Mason learned to love Twizzlers!
He also really liked the deck and railing and went in and out of the house often.
Perfect place to sit and read.
Welcome!
First time making supper resulting in...
...this! Pineapple salsa, rice and beans, and shrimp, fish, and chicken. Mmmm!
Beautiful sky over the island.
We saw lots of shrimp boats on the water...probably more boats than people!
Nice - a sunny day to enjoy the (empty) beach. We've been going to the beach at the end of July and early August for the past many years. It was a little strange to have the WHOLE beach to ourselves. We'd see a few people now and then, but there wasn't much people-watching happening this week!
There was a nest of turtle eggs that intrigued us for the week. Each night the locals (and others) set up their post to watch for the turtles in hopes of helping them to the water.
We went down several times, but there wasn't much activity. Mom saw one turtle make it through the trench and to the water.
Mason loved the sand, the open space, and the water.
Running free...
...and needing direction!
Giving me a shell he'd found.
Washing off his hands.
Sleepy! Naps were a bit of a challenge this week as it was often sunny in the afternoon and we wanted to spend time at the beach while it was nice.
Books with grandpa.
He found this whisk and bowl in one of the cupboards and carried it around.
Who doesn't need a good set of mixing utensils on the deck?!
Key hook for the week.
Hiding spot for the sippy cup. I think he left it as a deposit when he took the mixing bowl out.
Ready for another tasty dinner.
May I get you a drink, or four?
Mmm...beach food!
Finding more "toys".
Mixer beaters - yes. Bedhead - yes. Something to mix - oh no!
Little boy flip-flops.
Ready to grill.
Nonie helping Mason count the animals in the book.
Reading Panda bear, a favorite.
At the start of the week, the pool was soooo cold! Dad convinced mom to get it. Although you can't see it in this picture, she does get wet, even her hair!
Digging Mason's hole!
They spent lots of time playing here and it lasted for a few days until the tide took care of it.
We see lots of that finger and that expression these days...
My face says - pretending to play in the sand and enjoy it with my son. Someday I'll be sad that I didn't, but I'm really not enjoying it and I'm making the best of the memory!
It was fun!
I love his smiles, faces, and expressions!
Where's daddy?
Peek-a-boo!
Little boy footprints.
Mason loved going in the water - wasn't afraid at all.
Missed you!
Happy family! Note - the water was still cold!
Would have been just a bit more fun with you too!
Dinner on the deck in Little River. Best hush puppies. Believe me, we ate our share!
Playing in the water, wearing matching shirts, and oh-so-happy!
Smart restaurant! They had a little toy/play area for kids. Mason got to utilize it for a few minutes as were packing up and paying. He loved his little door/house!
Sunrise photo credits: Donna Kratzer.
Kind of wish I would have been up early enough to experience this!
I'm sure the pictures don't do it justice, but they sure are pretty!
Our street corner.
While pretty, once dried they have some prickers that hurt your feet! Beware - don't walk through these!
Brian spotted a dead shark laying on the shore.
Moved it back out to sea.
Prepping for nap time. Sammy is such a snuggler!
This family had everything for kids, making this house a great rental! Lots of toys for Mason to play with!
Dancing to the Wailin' Jennys. Mason loved it that the rest of us danced right along with him!
Little boy could run all day! He was very interested in the grasses on the dunes.
He also enjoyed playing with the sand toys and shovels.
After a bit of shopping, we ate dinner at an Italian restaurant at Barefoot Landing. It was getting kind of late and the dinner took a while and Mason was good until the end. While Brian and I paid and cleaned up our stuff, he and Nonie and Grandpa found a carousel to ride.
And ice cream to eat!
And a mini cow to kiss!
A few family pictures...
Looking into the sun = lots of squinting!
Dark clouds looming...
We only got a few drops of rain and then a beautiful rainbow!
About the time you'd make progress in covering him up...
...he'd lift his legs up and move the sand off. He wasn't too fond of it!
Love it!
And on the last day, the pool warmed up to somewhat comfortable!
It was a great sized pool and would have been fun to use if it was warm and the day was super hot. Too bad we didn't have any days like that, but once was sufficient.
Mason enjoyed it!
Pictures of the house just before we left on Saturday morning.
Half bath off the kitchen.
In the kitchen looking into the dining area and out on the deck and ocean beyond.
TV is behind the white doors.
We spent lots of quality lounge time on this baby. It was wonderful!
Mom and dad's master bedroom.
And bath.
Cute window looking out the front of the house from their bathroom.
Door that led nowhere. There were no steps out the front.
Bedroom that we didn't use, but would be perfect for a bunch of little kids!
Mason's room.
Second tv and play/toy area.
Our Master bedroom.
Across the street while Brian finishes packing the car. Mason receives a lesson in safe street crossing!
In front of the house for a picture.
Mason loved these pavers that led right down to the road...
Our walk to the beach.
House sign.
Pool area.
Same rest area in Beckley, WV. This time Mason was awake enough to spot the big bear. He's growling in this picture if you can't tell.
Goofy.
Love me some licorice.
Happy vacation!
1 comment:
Loved all the pictures! My favorites were the fishing pictures and Mason's footprints in the sand. Priceless!
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