The beach: Tuesday

There are many things that differentiate this particular beach trip from others. I'm sure you're thinking: 14 KIDS WILL DO IT.

And that's true. It's definitely louder, more chaotic and more crowded than most "vacations" people take.

But there's a lot to be said for this trip aside from just seeing Grayson's extended family.

Wet footprints trailing through the house, indicating drenched, sun-kissed children are within ...

Patriotic table centerpieces ...

Decadent meals, including my "specialty," a pound cake with butter cream icing ...

Red, white and blue foods of all kinds, including salads ...

and desserts (strawberries adapted from a recipe at Plain Chicken) ...

Satisfied faces and tummies (and mild sunburns where the sunscreen was rubbed off) ...

Family pictures on the beach at sunset (these are family friends Dave and Cathie with their sons Bryce and Ty) ...

Watching our shadows get long on the beach as the days draw to a close ...

Pictures of the kids on the beach in their matching T-shirts ...

Facing the ocean and dreaming of running to it the following morning.

Foot races on the hard-packed sand ...

Running to and fro, pulling away from the pack ...

Celebrating crossing the imaginary finish line ...

And perhaps not paying close enough attention to one's celebratory flailing of the arms. (This one made me laugh out loud.)

Taking it easy. loping in front of the younger kids ...

Looking over your shoulder to see exactly how far in front of them you are ...

Hair flapping in the breeze.

Taking sweet photos of siblings at the foot of the gently lapping waves ...

Admiring the highlights that the sun brings out in the kids' hair ...

And thinking about how unfair it is for that God-given gift to be bestowed on two boys who couldn't care less.