Beach 2015: Monday

As I go back through these pictures from Beach Week 2015, it brings back how weird it felt at the time to be AT the beach, being limited TO the beach. In other words, staying largely out of the ocean for the entire week.

For comparison, I looked back at Monday 2014, Monday 2012, Monday 2011 and Monday 2010, and everyone was having a BLAST in the ocean. (On Monday 2013, the guys next to us caught a shark and we made everyone get out of the water.) (And we were in the ocean all day on Monday 2009, but apparently I was "trying not to fill up my memory card," so I didn't take as many pictures that day.)

The kids really did make the best of it, though. This was Jonah's first trip back to the beach with us in years, and having him, Gideon, Matt and Patrice with us was a real joy.

COLEMAN. I mean. He is entirely too much.

The ocean restrictions were perhaps a leeeetle on the tame side for Amelia, but if we're being honest, she probably loved them. They kept all the Big Kids closer to shore and WITH HER AT ALL TIMES.

Which is exactly where a princess wants her subjects.

If any of the kids eventually choose engineering or architecture as a career, Ima give this Beach Week partial credit. The number of hours they spent perfecting their sand creations was beyond. BEYOND.

GIDDY!

Gideon is always very busy. And his Granddaddy (our kids' Uncle Gerry) is his favorite partner-in-crime.

Jonah was amazing in the ocean! He was so excited about it, and his enthusiasm was contagious.

It's hard to tell that his enthusiasm carried over to Gideon in these pictures, but Giddy loved "flying" over the ocean in Grant's arms.

Giddy can get stoic when he feels like it.

For example, when a camera is pointed in his direction.

So can Amelia, which is why I took this SWEET SWEET PICTURE of her taking a walk with her daddy down the beach omg.

Two peas in a pod, Ali and Anna Kate ... if you're new to the blog and/or these beach trips, all of the "girl cousins" have names that begin with the letter A. Abby, Anna Kate, Ali and Amelia.

I love these ladies! This might have been Kim's day to cook, because I have no idea why she wouldn't have been in this picture, otherwise. (Also, I didn't have a selfie stick back then, WHICH IS A CRYING SHAME because even though they are The Absolute Worst and are So Totally Embarrassing to use in public, they DO let you take pictures that include everyone.)

Every day just before lunch, we'd head up to the pool for a quick dip. Monday was the first day Amelia got up the nerve to jump in off the side. AND DID SHE EVER. She specifically asked me to include these for your viewing pleasure. (There were more. So many, many more. She wanted me to include them ALL. I am sparing your eyeballs.)

While we were out there watching Amelia jump, Gideon got all the Big Kids out of the water and lined them up on the side of the pool. And then ...

He's a mischief-maker, that one. He did it over and over again, and it was adorable.

Have I mentioned how much fun it was to have Jonah and Gideon there? The family felt complete.

Again, not sure if you've ever been to the beach in the middle of the summer -- this was July 4th week! -- when no one was in the water, but it's a little eerie. I really hope sharks aren't in the news again next summer.