Beach vacation - round 1

Three weeks ago we headed to Seacrest Beach with the Spence family.  David's twin sister Anne and her kids along with David's parents were also there.  We decided to leave Friday night and drive half way because we weren't sure how Maggie would do on the long drive.  I spent most of the week before packing up for this trip.  It is amazing how much 3 little people need for a week at the beach.  I probably over packed but I was thankful that while we were there we didn't need anything extra.  David came home Friday after work and the kids and I were ready.  The boys have been asking about the beach for weeks.  They were thrilled it was finally here.  We packed up and headed out around 7:15 that night.  The kids were already fed and in their pj's.  Maggie took a little while to fall asleep but once she fell asleep she pretty much stayed asleep until we started looking for hotels around 11:30.  The boys watched a movie and then tried falling asleep.  It took them a little longer but they too eventually fell asleep.  We had planned on stopping in Birmingham for a hotel but unfortunately I think everyone on the road had the same idea because the hotels were booked.  At that point all 3 kids woke up and didn't go back to sleep.  We had to drive another 30 miles to find a hotel but finally found one.  By this point all 3 kids were wired, especially Miller.  He was on cloud 9 that we were staying in a hotel and he was going to share a bed with his brother.  By this point it was 1:00 am and we were exhausted.  We finally got him to calm down and fall asleep.  The next morning we packed up again and made the rest of the way to the beach.  We were all thrilled to be there and hug the cousins necks and see the beach.

The next morning everyone woke up bright and early so we headed to the beach.

The kids loved playing in the sand and building sandcastles.  They also enjoy wearing life jackets and going out to the sand bar with Dingdad and daddy.  



David and I took a sunset walk one night...it was beautiful!
Beth Winterburn took professional pictures of the 6 kids with the grandparents.  This picture below cracks me up every time I look at it.  Truly hilarious!
One day was overcast with light rains so the kids rode their scooters around the cove.  So thankful we brought them.

At night we would often head back down to the beach to burn off some energy.  I love the beach at dusk.

I'll do another post of the rest of the beach pictures next.