The Quickest Beach Trip Ever

Andy split his last week of vacation so that we could go to ATL in April and then head to the beach for a few days in June. So last week, we headed to Topsail on Thursday and back home on Saturday. We had a great time, but it was so quick. Our whole family is in need of a trip to the beach each year. We left really early on Thursday, so we could be there right at check-in. We headed straight to the beach.

Seeing the ocean for the first time this year. It always gives you a thrill!

We call the girls Sand Pipers because they spend most of the time running in and out of the waves like the little birds.

Daddy brought a beer with him to hang out!

Now we have moved on to shell collection

This picture is priceless. The girls decided to throw water on us and each other. I love how you can see the water splash!

Carly is clearly loving it!

Daddy is now in on the chase

More running

You can see that even the next day we are still running

Joiner

Making a pretty impressive sand castle

Carly

Joiner

Daddy and his girls. I have a picture like this from every year. I will have to post the succession one day. They get so big so fast!

Jumping the waves with a little help from daddy. Both girls went farther in this year. Carly is more adventurous with the waves. This is Joiner airborne.

Carly getting hammered. She just laughed it off.

See...And look how grown-up she looks!

After we played on the beach on Friday morning, we headed to the pool before lunch. We were determined to squeeze every last drop. Joiner just hopped out of the water at one point and told us she was taking a break and went to lie on a chair!

Mommy and Carly in the pool

Joiner with her new bear on one of our decks

Playing some soccer after nap time

Showing off our shells

Daddy chilling. Even Saturday morning we headed out to the beach at 8am so we could get in a good hour before we had to shower and check-out at 10am. It was worth the rush!

Collecting some last minute shells

Mistletoe's first beach trip. If you had asked me a few years ago if I would pose 8 months prego and in a bathing suit, I would say no way. However, a good friend reminded me that it is good to have pictures of moms too. So here we go!

Another awkward family portrait! Better than nothing!

We came back in and showered and then Andy loaded the van while I cleaned up our things. We had bought the most wonderful cantelope at a stand and I didn't have any way to take the pieces home. Here are the girls trying to help me finish it up!

On the road again! I was thinking we could head over to Emerald Isle to see my good friends on our annual Girl's Weekend, but I soon realized that the shortest beach trip ever was also the most exhausting. We just booked it home for nap time! We have discovered that even though we never give suckers, they make a great car treat! Silence:)