lucky enough

My in-laws have a sign in their beach house that says "If you are lucky enough to live at the beach, then you are lucky enough!!"  Well, we are lucky indeed because both sets of grandparents live at the beach.  This means that we get to go to the beach a lot and we love every minute of it!  We just returned from a week stay at Ocean City, NJ where Harrison and Anne got to spend some time with their cousin Griffin, 15 mos, and Aunt Tiffany and Uncle John.  Of course, Nana and Grandpa Jack were there too.  Our schedule each day consisted of waking up and biking to breakfast (donuts!!) on the boardwalk, then go to the beach before the afternoon nap, then going to the rides on the boardwalk, and having dinner before bed.  Pretty sweet vacation!  Here are a few pics from the trip!

Getting caught by the rain while biking:  (I think that was one of Harrison's highlights)

Eating breakfast at Brown's each morning:

It was awesome to see how great Anne and Griffin got along.  It was a little bit of a love-fest actually:

So great to see Tiffany and John too!

Enjoying the rides at the boardwalk:

Jamie doing his best to disguise the fear in his eyes:

Harrison took Griffin on his first ride:

Our best attempt at a beach shot of the kids:

We have also had several visits to Mimi's and Granddaddy's house this summer.  Some of the highlights include playing with Jordan (8) and Kendall (6), going to the Dunes Club, going out in the boat, and our last visit with Brantley, Keri, and Charlie (18 mos).  Here are some pics from our trips to Morehead City this summer:

hammock time with Jordan and Kendall:

Going out in the boat is our very favorite!!

Harrison and Daddy even got to drive the boat some!

Anne and Charlie in the baby pool:

We had a wonderful dinner out, without kids, definitely a highlight!

enjoying the backyard swing Granddaddy built:

scooting around with Granddaddy:

Charlie loved giving Annie hugs!

Harrison in his camo, waiting to help Mommy attack Daddy with the water balloons!

snacks on the beach:

watching Fourth of July fireworks over the sound with Aunt Tracy, Ian, Jordan, and Kendall.

Jamie and I have a recurring debate about which beaches are nicer, North Carolina's or New Jersey's.  I think that we have both reluctantly agreed that they each have their strengths.  Ocean City is the most incredible beach to take young kids.  The boardwalk is awesome, especially if you see it through the eyes of your child.  It is filled with the most incredible rides, junk food, and tacky shops, along with my favorite book store anywhere.  We also love biking around the beautiful homes and manicured yards each morning and love taking outdoor showers.  The breezes are a bit cooler but that means that the water is cool COLD, which is hard for this southern girl to get used to.  North Carolina's beaches are a lot less crowded, the water is much warmer, and we LOVE going out in Granddaddy's boat but we sure do miss that boardwalk when we are there.  The good news is that we don't have to choose and that we can enjoy the strengths of both.  I would say that we are lucky enough indeed!