I have a new love. Dane. Her youngest. PURE TODDLER CRAZINESS. Just look at this.....you know it didn't end well when he has a huge chunk of sand that close.
Mer took charge. I like her style of motherhood. Look at him laughing. Little stinker.
Only persistence works with kids like this. I know. I've raised 2 of them and am thinking our sweet daughter is starting to follow the boys' leads.
How could you not love him?
Kids ran wild.
Sweet Ellery.
Jack tended the showers.
Suddenly, we started to see people jumping off their bikes and running to the water. Triathlon, we're thinking.
We watched and wondered.
More people coming......
Instead of swimming some obscene distance, they jump and cheer and celebrate. We didn't know what it was, but we knew it was big. I started to tear up.
Lainey was clearly moved.
Cheers, applause, people running to take pictures of these men and women in the water.
You know I wasn't about to leave it alone.....so I asked. These fine folks started out in Nags Head, North Carolina and rode their bikes for 3 months across the United States. They stayed in churches, camped, etc........and on the way worked with Habitat for Humanity building homes.
Can you imagine? 3543 miles. Website here.
And, we were lucky enough to see them touch the west coast water after starting out on the east coast. Amazing. Inspiring. I'm tearing up right now recalling it all!
While Merrilee and I stood wiping tears and discussing the event, the kids kept on being kids and carried on.
Not exactly the picture I was going for.
Nice booty, Laine.
Goodbyes. Ellery gave Lainey her nightgown while we were in Encinitas. I'm pretty sure that means something big in the 2-4 year old capacity of friendship.
The Libby fam headed back home for naps and we stayed at La Jolla Shores.
My favorite grumpy old man rode his bike down the beach, honking his horn and fussing at people to get out of his way. I love him. Saw him almost every day. Picture Jack in 60 years.
Speaking of, our children got so comfortable with the beach, Jack took a nap one day. "Cubber me, Mom." Done!
The usual spot.
My sweet, little mess of a grumpy old man tied up in a 4 year old's body. Could a Catholic Preschool be ready for this?
Beach food.
Beach kids.
Lots of seaweed this day and those after. Something about the tide. I don't know. I'm a Midwesterner currently.
Our dainty little girl. And, this is NOTHING compared to the sandy mess she becomes in the days after. Stay tuned.
Dinner that evening in San Diego.....
We took a pic in this tree last year. Post here. Tried to re-create it. Nice move, honey. You do look fine, though, forcing our daughter to pose. White polo + khaki shorts + glasses = beautiful Blake.
Can't remember where Jack sat to get his booty wet.
Calling it a night.
Only a few days left, folks! Then, we're back to the day-to-day monotony of our little fam. I'm working all weekend. Blake and kids will be soaking up the pool if the rain stays away.
I'm finally catching up on blogs, but if I've missed something, leave me a comment or email me. I hate writing something and wanting specific people not to miss it and then it goes unread. Let me know!
