Beach Vacation 2013

We traveled several hours south last week to one of our favorite vacation spots...Ocean City, Maryland. We have been going there for several years now...ever since Madison was a baby. Sitting on the beach, staring at that vast, beautiful ocean always brings me peace. I had a bit of a hard time this year that first day, because I missed my sweet parents. We always brought them with us, and they loved it so. The beach holds so many wonderful memories, and I hold them dear to my heart. My mother's health issues prevented her from coming, but she stayed at our house, spent some time with our puppy Kirby and sat on the porch and enjoyed the leaves, so I felt better about that. And I did phone my dad one afternoon, and he sounded so good, it made my heart happy. It was a good day, and I was able to actually talk to my dad, without that heartless Dementia standing in the way. : )


We had a wonderful, laid back, quiet family week together. Spending time at the beach in September is amazing...an empty beach, perfect temperatures, and no crowds at restaurants! We stayed in a BEAUTIFUL condo right on the beach. Another plus to vacationing at the beach in September...way lower rates! We stayed at a gorgeous place, and paid less than half the summer rates. : )

Below are way too many pictures of our trip... Just in case you have some extra time on your hands. ; )

Hello, Beach! How we've missed you...

 

 

First view of the condo is always exciting...

 

 

I loved the beautiful kitchen where I cooked absolutely nothing. : )

 

 

And the living room was cozy and bright.

 

 

Choosing bedrooms is always a treat...

 

 

this little lady ended up here, with her bestie Peyton.

 

 

And my bathroom passed my OCD inspection as well. : )

 

 

First official beach picture...finally here!

 

 

The weather was beautiful all week...and these three spent a lot of time doing this...

 

 

while this little lady spent hours doing this. : )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes it got a little windy...

 

 

but these two didn't seem to mind.

 

 

After a bit, this little one wanted to put on some "sunscream" and "catch a wave."

 

 

After a few days, she was ready to go...

 

 

and she loved it...

 

 

and wanted to make sure we all saw. : )

 

 

I remembered you all too!

 

 

I found this on my phone...my little Flynn wanted to post a picture of her snack.

 

 

She worked up quite an appetite swimming in her new princess floatie Madison bought her.

 

 

One of my favorite pictures...

 

 

and this one of the message that my sweet hubby made for me...

 

 

and this one too. : )

 

 

We had these a few too many times. But since we live nowhere near one, it was a special treat.

 

 

We got dressed up and went out to eat...here we are at my favorite place. Even though we are at the beach and had all kinds of yummy seafood, pasta will always be my fave. : )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a great meal at this place...BJ'S on the Water...

 

 

We spent evenings on the beach...

 

 

and walking on the Boardwalk.  Steve and I were walking behind our four precious kids, and I got a little teary. Surprise, right? But I swear it was yesterday we pushed our little one year old Madison on that very same boardwalk...Time passes quickly, but provides many blessings. : )

 

 

Ocean City 2013 was wonderful...

 

 

so until we meet again...thanks for the memories.