Family Beach Vacation

Before we get started I just wanted to share: I came back from brushing my teeth one morning, and this is what I saw. Evan really needs to quit playing with his brother's shoes.And now the Family Beach Trip!! So the Zaepfel family loaded up and all met down in Isle of Palms for our annual beach trip. It was loads of fun except that we missed the Dirks clan terribly.

Evan mostly sat around chilling with different people for the week. He sort of preferred to be indoors. One day, little guy-you will LOVE the great wide open air and the ocean waves!

Trooper managed somehow to grow into a little toddler (almost) this week. While he was there he learned how to crawl on his hands and knees, start really waving and saying stuff like "mama" and pulling up to stand on things. I like to sit back and watch as Peter and Megan realize that they will soon have their hands way more full. ;)

This is the first day out on the beach. Unfortunately the next day I was doubled over in stomach pain that lasted all day and into the night. I couldn't really eat anything and Evan was not too happy about the wimpy milk supply, but he survived.

Trooper didn't enjoy the beach at first, but as soon as they showed him the tide pools he totally digged it. He even got a little tan!! what the what??

The only way to travel at the beach.

Still trying to figure out these wave things.

Brody had a BLAST. He loved everything about it. He loved the waves, the sand, the animals on the beach, the running around and he loved the grandparents. If you asked him if he wanted to do anything that involved the beach, he would always say , "YESS!" as if that was the greatest idea ever. :)

All this beaching it made the little man extremely tired. He and John must have spent 7 hours on average at the beach. In the mornings they went on bike rides and a little snoozing occurred. Meanwhile in the afternoons is was not uncommon to realize "hmmm, Brody just took a 4 hour nap." He was run ragged.

Brody was so happy to learn how to wipe the water from his eyes and to float on the top of the water (with supervision). He felt like such a big boy and well, he sort of is now. If only we could get him to be potty trained... :)

This is how Evan like the beach best. Pretty much as a noise maker. :)
Brent surprised Megan and came up for a few days. He loved seeing how big Trooper had gotten and (unlike his daughter-got to give her a hard time about it) thoroughly enjoyed the card playing that took place.

Brody kept saying that he was sad, sad, sad to leave the beach. He cried when he and John said goodbye to the ocean. Of course, it didn't help that when we got home we discovered he had a 102 fever. But, he's fine now! :)

Thank you Mom and Dad for a lovely week. Looking forward to next year already and hoping that the Dirks can join us again next time!