Last beach day of the summer, but thankfully not the year :) Kiddos start school tomorrow. Our great, wonderful, fantastic friends the Sowards came down South for a visit over the weekend. They are truly the most fun couple ever with 4 great kids. They radiate positivity and joy and love being near the ocean.
Here is Brandon Sowards with his son Reef.
Here is another close friend Ryan Swindel with his daughter Jordan.
Emry's getting ready.
She's out.
She's almost up.......& I guess I lost interest. No, she probably fell or something.
A very generous friend let us take his 2 paddle boards out. This is Glenn and my niece Kylee having a blast.
My sister Jeannette and her daughter Kylee.
Jeannette's son Nathan and my Ethan.
Did I mention that as usual there were about 648 thousand of us?
A few babies in the mix as well.
Next thing I know Lila!!!!!! grabs a board. This is not status quo. Lila is usually content to jump waves or boogie board. All her friends were giving surfing a go so I guess she just figured it was the thing to do.
Glenn & I were on the shore watching her giddier than 2 people have ever been in their lives, our little Lila was going for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were just reveling in watching all 3 kids in the ocean becoming a part of it all. Being with all of our friends and family at the beach is seriously the BEST.
Tiffiny Sowards & I. I love this girl. She inspires me and is such a wonderful wife and mother. If I've learned anything it's to watch and copy others, & I totally do. I remember going camping with the Sowards 2 years ago when their baby Cruz was just a few weeks old. She was carrying the baby, a cooler, chairs and an umbrella down a dusty path to watch the kids in the lake, with a smile on her face. Yes, I can learn a few things from her certainly.
Cleaned up all ready for church. Till we meet again, love you guys to death.
you keep going without me, ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I'd be doing everyday too if the beach weren't a gajillion miles away...
ReplyDeleteKudos to Lila for attacking those waves! Atta girl!!!
What a fantastic beach day of fun! And woohoo to the little one for going for the waves like that! :)
ReplyDeleteThat paddling looks like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that WE are the most fun couple...but I won't hold that against you. ;) That looks like SO MUCH FUN!
ReplyDeleteI meant you. Did I say the Sowards? Where's spellcheck when you need it?
Deletebless you ! you have such a lovely circle of close family and friends. Lovely pics. Best of luck to the children for the new term at school
ReplyDelete648 thousand friends/fam at the beach? I'd have it no other way. what a blessing to soak in these precious moments.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to wrap up the summer! There is nothing better than to surround yourself with friends who inspire, encourage and uplift. And I so very much hope that you enjoy all of the remaining beach days in the season.
ReplyDeleteYou all make want to pack up and move not only for the fun in the ocean but the friendship on land!
ReplyDeleteOh that is sweet, thank you.
DeleteWhat a great day at the beach indeed. High five to Lila for getting out there...you go girl!
ReplyDeleteLooks like the perfect end to the summer!
ReplyDeleteIs it back to school time already???
ReplyDeleteNo way? Your kids are going back to school already! Wow where did the summer go? Sounds like they've had a blast of a summer though :)
ReplyDeleteAnother fabulous beach day with Marie and her family!!! I still wish you guys would adopt me. That looks like so much fun. Up this way, schools start next Wednesday. Not sure what happened to the day after labor day start I remember from my own childhood... Ah, the world today...
ReplyDeleteThey are on a modified year round which I love, 1 full week @ Thanksgiving, 3!!! @ Christmas, 2 @ Easter and 1 more week thrown in somewhere plus a lot of mini holidays for 1 day. I do a lot with my kids at home so I don't mind lots of breaks or even furloughs, I love doing home shchool, just wouldn't choose to do it full time, way too much pressure.
DeleteWe're going to the beach Saturday--I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteMarie! You say the nicest things and make me feel so good! But let me tell you how awesome YOU are! We had such a blast with your family. We are seriously 'homesick' for our vacation and for our friends.... you guys!! We hated having to cut it short but it was probably good we got out of your hair before school started back up. I learn so much from you, Marie. You are a dedicated mom and as you know I am so super duper impressed with your kids and how sweet they are. I love that our combined 7 played so well without any problems or even minor scuffles to speak of! And you totally gave me confidence to come home and make up my own smoothie recipes. You also inspired me to get blogging again. And my first blog post back was our trip. We love you guys tons and can't wait to get together again. If you end up our way, give us a call!
ReplyDeleteTotally! And you're right, I didn't really notice but looking back the kids got along like a dream.
DeleteI hope the kids enjoyed their first week of school...and that you enjoyed your first week of peace in a while!
ReplyDeleteGreat pics Marie. Hope you all have a great weekend.
Sounds like you guys ended the season with a bang!
ReplyDeleteGreat beach pictures! I hope the transition back to school was an easy one!
ReplyDeleteThat was awesome! Best part of summer is really on the beach. It's adorable to see your Lila trying out the fun.
ReplyDelete