Oceanside

A few weeks ago, we met up with my family at the beach in Oceanside. Mom has had this family vacation planned since last year, and the place booked since Spring, so we've been looking forward to it for a long time.

To get an idea of just how amazing this place is, go see the website. It's a fully-furnished duplex and my parents rented out both units for the week. The beach is about 20 feet from the back porch; just cross a small, quiet street and a sidewalk, and you're on sand. The water is only another 60 feet or so from there. Ah-MAZE-ing!!!! Truly a paradise.

We spent the days lounging around, going to the beach whenever we wanted, taking long, slow walks to the pier, eating dinners together as a family, and generally hanging out. Jason & Amy's family also took advantage of the local attractions and went to Sea World & Legoland. Gary & Holly were just happy to chill as this was their first real vacation in a long time. Plus, everyone held baby Cora a lot and Holly got some breaks from being a new mom. My mom seemed incredibly happy to get to spend so much time with the grandkids, and so much time walking the beach, two of her most favorite things in the world. Dad was content with having absolutely no schedule and doing whatever he wanted. Malcom was only able to make it for the first two days and the last day--he has precious little paid time off accrued and we have to save it for when the baby comes. But he seemed to enjoy the time with lots of sleeping and we had a nice walk on the beach one night together.

I didn't take any pictures. None. I was just too busy RELAXING!!! But if I did take pictures, I would have captured the following:

*Mom holding Cora while sweeping, always helping out.
*Gary holding Cora, being so cute as a new daddy.
*Dad holding Bekah at the beach, comforting her as she was a little scared of the waves at first.
*Bekah riding her bike, free as a little bird.
*Flying kites with Jason on the one windy, slightly chilly day that was PERFECT for kites.
*My nephews being so KIND to Bekah, treating her like their own little sister.
*The kids building a sand castle, and burying Tucker in sand up to his neck.
*Girls day out, complete with Cheesecake Factory, shopping, and pedicures--ahhh, so relaxing!
*Crazy laughter as we talked and reminisced during Amy's fun family games.
*Malcom falling asleep on the couch one of the first nights, just happy to be not working overtime for a change.

Amy took lots of pictures so I stole the one of us all together on the last morning:

Did I use the word relaxing enough?! I honestly think it was the best family vacation I've ever been on. I am so thankful that Mom and Dad made it possible. I hope we get to go back again sometime. It was perfect!