Friday, August 17, 2012

myrtle beach vacation

Every year, our family takes a beach vacation to Myrtle Beach.  We always have such a great time...riding waves in the ocean, playing on the sand, swimming in the pools, & eating dinner out every night.  It's such a fun week!  Mommy took about 300 pics, so enjoy the ones that made the "final cut." :)

Brecken and his crazy hair from the sunscreen... 
 ...& his crazy new smile!  So cute!
 Here I am...ready for some fun in the sun!
Brady's fave...digging in the sand!
 Brecken was all ready, too!  He headed straight for the water.
 I love the beach...
 Brady dug many holes in the sand...Daddy & Mommy just had to remind him that he couldn't throw the sand (in his shovel) over his shoulder because he would hit others as they were walking by.  It was kind of funny, but others didn't seem to think it was!
 Brecken meets the ocean...
 ...& loved it!
 Thankfully, the first few days at the beach were a bit cloudy with some wind, so it wasn't unbearably hot as we played on the beach.  That made for everyone being happy!
 Brecken just chillin' in a stranger's chair. Thankfully, most people are very easy going at the beach!
 Our Family ~ Myrtle Beach 2012
(Averie ~ 6, Brady ~ 4, & Brecken ~ 17 mths.)
 The boys...digging away!
 Brecken taking a walk with Daddy at the water's edge!
 Daddy & his baby girl...me!
 Brecken having some fun!
 Brady loved the ocean...so long as it stayed out of his face.
 Cuties on the beach!
 Not sure what Brecken was planning to do while heading towards the ocean with an oversized shovel and bucket, but he sure looked determined...and cute!
 Filling up his bucket with water...at this rate, he was there for hours!
 But, he sure was happy!
 Here I am...riding the waves in!  This is the first year that I don't have to have Daddy or Mommy in there with me...I can do it by myself now!
While I'm riding the waves in, Daddy & Brecken are building a castle!
 Daddy & Brecken...not sure who he's smiling at...

 ...but now, he's looking at the camera!
 After watching me riding the waves in, Brecken was ready for a turn of his own!  He wasn't quite ready!
 So, we took turns burying each other in the sand.  
Me...
...& me with Miss Brittany!
 Daddy...
 Brady...
 ...& Brady again!
 My Daddy & me
 With Mommy's help, Brady wrote his name in the sand!
 Brecken is still cruising the beach...tongue all out...determined!
 Another day...and more digging in the sand for Brady...
 ...more running in the water for Brecken...
 ...& more riding the waves in for me!
 so.much.fun!
 Brecken...all smiles...
 ...& having fun!
 He was so amazed that, while he didn't move, the water would still come up and get his toes!
 He loved it!
 And, so do I!!
 Brecken also thinks it's funny to pick your nose and listen to Daddy or Mommy say "gross" or "yucky."  So, he'd pick his nose, wait for someone to say it, and then giggle!  So, Mommy caught him in picture picking his nose...and laughing at the same time!
 Sweet Brecken
 The boys digging some more!
 Brady stretching out in the sun!
 Being the great big sister that I am, I took Brady out to ride the waves...
 ...while Mommy relaxed on the beach with Brecken!
 It went great, and we had fun!
 Then, Daddy took me out in the ocean on his shoulders!
 That was awesome!
 Brecken still running in the ocean...so cute!
 Brady & Stephanie had fun playing in the sand...
 ...and we had a blast together, too...she's my best friend!
 Brady showing Mommy that he knew how to wink...and was proud of it!
 Daddy & Brady
 Us all ready for dinner one night
 Our awesome babysitter (& friend) got to come down with us for a few days, and we had so much fun with her.  Miss Brittany stayed for the weekend...and even let us bury her in the sand!  She rocks!
 Our Family
 Another day...and more fun in the sun!
 Daddy & Mommy
 Daddy helping Brady build a sand castle!
 Of course, Brecken had to come along and watch.
 The finished product...
 Brecken finally got to see what it was like to boogie board...baby style!  Cousin Kaitlyn loved pulling him around!
 And, he loved it!
 But, after a small wipeout, he fell semi-asleep on Daddy!
Brady started getting used to the ocean water going in his face and became more daring in the water...he got covered by one wave... 
 ...but decided to out with Daddy the next time!
 Time for some boogie boarding...Daddy & Brady!
 Brady did great!
 Brady
 Me
 One afternoon, we had our annual shaving cream fight.  Aunt Cindi buys at least 30 cans of shaving cream, and everyone goes after each other!  It's a lot of fun!
 Daddy getting cousin Eric.  
 Cousin Noah (middle of the fight)
 Cousin Noah (at the end of the fight)
 We put some on Brecken to see if he wanted to participate...he did not like it at all!
 Daddy having lots of fun!  
(This year, he was thankful not to get any in his mouth!)
 Most of the participants...
 Oma with all her grandkids...ages 18 to 6 weeks!  (Yes, that is baby Madison on the left.)
 Oma & me
 Brecken crashed one late morning on the beach...right in Daddy's arms!
 Oma & Brady
 Brady was ready for building another castle!
 After a quick cat nap, Brecken wanted to stand in the water again...right with Daddy!
 Brecken also loved the flowers on Stephanie's bathing suit...he tried to "pick" them for at least 15 minutes.  So cute!
 One night, we went to see Pirates Voyage...enjoying a yummy dinner while watching pirates perform a show for us...lots of lights, swimming tricks, and animals.  We had a great time!
 All the VW Granddaughters...
Kaitlyn (9), Averie (6), Stephanie (6), & Madison (6 weeks)
 Ready for more fun in the sun...we love the beach!
Baby Madison would take naps on the beach, & Brecken just loves her.  Each time she was in there, Brecken would peek in, look at her, and then look at us and say "baby" in this adorable, deep voice.  It was so cute!  He loves to hold her and kiss her...so sweet!
 Me...ready to ride some more waves in...
 ...while Brady sits at the water's edge...reflecting! :)
 Brecken & Stephanie busy playing!
 Cousins
(Carter, Brayden, Stephanie, Brady, Kaitlyn, & me)
 Aunt Helen would bring lollipops to the beach every day...Brecken sure loved that!  Yummy!
 He even told Oma all about how yummy it was!
Oma & Brecken
 And, of course, "Candy Man" was all over the lollipops!
 Stephanie & Brady
 The Girls...we sure love playing together...
 ...& hunting for seashells!
 Brady & Carter
 Me...looking for more seashells

 Mommy & Brady
 Mommy & me
 Brecken...checking out all the holes in the sand.
 When the birds would fly around us, Brecken would point and say "bird" each time.  He loved it!
 He also loved looking through the seashells that we girls had picked out...
 ...so we gave him his own bucket!
 Brecken telling Mommy a story...
(love those blue eyes!)
 ...& waving to the birds...telling us "bye bye."
 Off to find his own seashells!
 Pics before dinner one evening...
Me...Averie Grace ~ 6 years old
 Brady Joseph ~ 4 years old
Brecken Thomas ~ 17 months old
 Our Family...and a whole lot of wind!
 And, us...the 3 cuties!
 And, of course, a pic with  my BFF
 One last picture before heading home.  We had such a great time at the beach, and we are already excited about going back next year!

2 comments:

Michelle Bowman said...

I just smiled the whole time looking at all your cute pictures! Looks like a ton of fun! Beautiful family! Love you guys! :)

Brittany said...

shew so glad i made the cut. hahaa!! loved every single picture!!!!