The Beach!!!

We were thrilled to get out of town, head to the beach, and spend time with family!  We crammed as much stuff as we could into our car and headed south.

After an overnight stop, and many hours of driving, stopping for many diaper changes, 

a short visit with Kashewa's long lost cousins, 

more diaper changes, 

a night in a hotel, complete with a Chanukah celebration, 

and we FINALLY found my happy place:

And Grandma Susie couldn't wait to snuggle with Leo:

Beach baby working on his tan (he may have some tan lines between all those beautiful rolls)

Aunt Stephanie finally got to meet Leo:

Teddy was very excited to play with all of his cousins.  Feeding them was sort of like feeding time at the zoo...

We visited Friendly's Tavern again this year, although with a toddler and a baby, we sadly did not sing karaoke. 

Another highlight of the trip for Teddy... a couch that turns into a bed!! So exciting!

But of course his favorite part was playing at the beach with his cousins. 

This is the third December in a row that Teddy has gone to the beach, but the first time it has been warm enough to get in the water.  He had a blast!

We also got in the pool:

It was Leo's first time in a pool.

Shae and his beach baby:

See this suit?  The first day at the beach Shae got Teddy dressed out of clothes, and into a bathing suit.  It was THIS bathing suit!  I wish I had a picture, but I don't think I do.  

Teddy and Grandma Susie enjoying our awesome deck:

We also got to celebrate Christmas since Grandma Susie brought treats for all of the children.  Santa Sammie passed out the gifts:

Lots of fun treats!

Thank you Grandma Susie!

Cousin Grant is a cool cat!

We had all of our bedtime snacks on our deck, listening to the ocean.

Cousin time!

Beach baby take 2:

Shae and Teddy in their Cookie Monster and Elmo suits:

Ahhhh the beach!

Once again- I found my happy place!

Love these boys!

Teddy and his cousins had a great time playing together:

They even played a few rounds of golf:

We also got to celebrate a special birthday of Aunt Shelley's.  What better way to celebrate than with tiaras??

And magic wants.  (Grandpa Steve was less than thrilled about this part).

The birthday girl:

It's not a party until you have a baby...

... in a bar!

Tiara's aren't just for the kids:

Too much partying for this guy:

Leo and Grandma Susie:

Since Leo and Teddy were born in opposite seasons, this was the first time Leo got to wear a lot of Teddy's old clothes.  At least for a week he could enjoy some of Teddy's shorts and t-shirts!

Teddy loved digging in the sand:

The Hoscheks:

Grandma Susie and some of her grandchildren admiring the tree:

Leo got this adorable outfit from family friends Cheryl and Gordie:

Grandpa Steve and the kids playing with an ipad:

Loving the birthday girl:

cousins!

Here is our attempt at a picture of Grandma Susie with all of her grandchildren:

Lunch by the pool:

Even nap time is fun at the beach.  Especially when your Aunt Sammie gives you a very cool new sock monkey.  Teddy named him "Oooh Oooh Ahh Ahh"

Family picture at sunset:

We got to meet up with Shae's friend Jim and his family (they live outside of Tampa).  We had a great time catching up with them (well, except for Leo, who slept through the dinner):

Another highlight of the trip were the long walks on the beach.  Leo and I had a blast:

Of course the week flew by and we wished we could stay longer. 

 I took this picture to remind me when I go home: