Beach 2013

If it seems like this is the longest blog ever, just consider the literal hundreds of pictures not included! It was a fabulous 10 days in St. Simons, kicked off by surprising the girls by leaving a few days early.  We had amazing time with my siblings and the nine little cousins, perfect weather, and precious memories. I'm going to let photos do most of the talking here- enjoy!

 Susan is a queen sandcastle-maker. She holds court with all of her nieces and nephews and usually had a cluster of small people around her in the sand!

Reading with Grammy before breakfast...

The craft table...

Happy 7th to Ian! Jodi made delicious lemon blossoms that disappeared in about a minute.

Getting favorite uncle points...

 Grammy heading out for a solo paddle. Having all the paddleboards down there was so much fun. The tide pools made for a perfect place for the kids to practice with some safe independence, too.

 There is always a lot of horseplaying in our family, and my brother Greg and I had several serious battles with and against each other. For the record, all of those cute little nephews ended up getting tossed in the pool in short order in this particular scuffle. Give them a couple of years and Aunt Em will not be as successful...

Nine of my favorites... from L to R, Ryan (8), Blythe (3), Ian, underwater (7), Ashley (5), Abby Jane (5), Maggie (3), Katie (9), Joy (3), Scott (10).

A few moments of simmer down time after lots of beaching, pooling, game-playing, reading, coloring, and eating... is a good thing.

 Is Maggie levitating? She looks like a fairy in a play with a string attached to her back.

Game time!

Joy and cousin Ashley... Joy thinks she's five.

Maggie and Blythe were especially big buds on this trip. They started their day finding each other for breakfast and stuck close most of the day. It's nice to have someone else who is your speed in such a crazy crowd.

This looks like a classic texture issue to me.

Grammy snuggling up her beach babies.

 Shrimp boil night!

 Ice cream time!!

An honest out-take...

Beautiful Katie!

Jake making hay while the sun shone with a few breakers...

A week spent trying to keep up with big cousins was all needed to Joy learn to dive and swim underwater!

Can't wait for next year! Love these people!