The Shore

One of the highlights of our summer is going to the shore to stay with Erik's parents and then to stay with my parents (we are BLESSED with two sets of grandparents with beach houses in NJ). This year's trip was a blast. There were so many memories that instead of listing everything we did I just wanted to list a few highlight.

Mercia Highlight-Our littlest loved the beach. She was very happy to walk around and she walked right into the ocean without thinking anything of it. She didn't care that the sand was everywhere (including in her mouth while she ate pretzels and graham crackers out of sandy hand).

Jotham Highlight- He is thus far our most fearful child. As a baby and toddler he has been scared of the sand and the ocean. The first year we took him he was stuck to me like glue and screamed if I attempted to put him down. The next year he was okay with the sand but wouldn't go near the water. This year, after some initial fear and some firm prodding from us, he actually went in the ocean and enjoyed it.

We didn't have great weather at my parent's house so one day we went to the local aquarium. Jotham loved this and really talked about it for a few days. He keep wanted to see the sharks again. He also LOVED the rides on the boardwalk, I think his favorite was the motorcycle, he was very focused on it, I think he really thought he was driving it. He started to cry when it stopped.

Karis Highlight- She loved the beach and ocean this year. The water was pretty chilly otherwise I think she would have gone in even more. In Sea Isle, she loved riding the boogie board while Grammer pulled her around. Karis also loved playing with her cousins (especially Hannah).

There are so many other memories of our time but that will have to do for now.