Well, it's not HOT in my neck of the woods in temperature (not today anyway) but it's sure been a HOT minute since I last posted. For that I am so sorry but it seems my life has been consumed with doctor appointments, tests, and MORE tests, biopsies, surgery and so much more. One day at a time sweet Jesus is all that any of us can ask for. Wanted to pop in on this beautiful Sunday afternoon to share a little about what I've been up too. Marty and I enjoyed a weekend at the beach before I had breast cancer surgery and took advantage of the time I had in between so many doctor appointments and testing. It was sure a good little getaway. We celebrated our 47th wedding anniversary in September. WOW! Just babies! LOL! We were high school sweethearts. Started dating at age 16. Married at age 18 and started a family at age 20. We celebrated Marty's birthday in October. He says that he's feeling his age these days. LOL! He still works 4 days a week and has a long commu...
Our family beach vacation surely went by too quick. We had such a great time. I could so be a beach bum. It must be in my blood because I can sit on the beach all day long. Give me a chair, water, a few snacks and a good book and well...time somehow just manages to slip by me.
Nothing like the sound of the ocean.
From day one I piled up in my chair and read. I read off and on the whole week. Went through two books.
I have other readers in my family too. Makes me happy they love to read.
We spent lots of time on the beach. We only had one day that we had to hurry and pack up as a wind storm came through as well as the rain. One day we packed up too soon as it looked like a storm was brewing but it passed us by. So we headed to the pool. We entertained ourselves. We played games and cards. Never a dull moment with my crew.
Even the youngest grandbaby loved the beach.
Marty wanted to buy a kite for the kids to enjoy on the beach. So I thought we would just run to Walmart you know and pick up a $5 kite. I mean...it's just a kite, right? Oh no! He wanted an Eagle and something large. We ordered the kite online. It came in just in time for our trip. DON'T ASK ME WHAT WE PAID FOR THAT KITE!!! However, we had the best kite on the beach! LOL! It is boxed up for next year.
YEP, I spent my early mornings sitting on the balcony drinking my coffee. Loved every minute of it too.
We went out to eat several times and we all took turns preparing some evening meals. Oh did we have some good eating!
We went crab hunting a couple of nights and if that isn't just a hoot with my bunch. The kids all have gloves and catch the crabs and then at the end of the crab hunt before returning back to the condo we turned them all out. It is so much fun to watch them. I have some competitive grandchildren too! LOL!
We had sparklers one night.
We went out for ice cream twice while there. The Twisted Spoon is right across the road from the condo and the kids love it. And the ADULTS too!We go there every year for ice cream when on our family beach vacation. My favorite is salted caramel.
I enjoyed spending time with my girls. I am so blessed that my family likes to spend time together and enjoys doing things together. No doubt I am blessed and I do not take it for granite I can assure you.
My oldest daughter and her husband celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary while there. They will be actually celebrating this coming weekend with a 3 day trip.
I sure enjoyed my Happy Place.
Missing the beach already but so thankful for the opportunity we had as a family to enjoy our trip together.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have Beach Blogger's trip? Oh what fun we would have.
I can't go to the beach without thinking about the Star Fish story. It always melts my heart. Maybe it's been a while since you have read it. Enjoy...
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I hope that you all have a great week.
Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Looks like so much fun, Cindy! Our family is going to the beach August 17th. It's perfect timing because school will have just started and it won't be as crowded. There are no littles in our group right now. Loved seeing your photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Stacey. Oh perfect timing for your beach trip. One year Marty and I slipped away for 4 day cottage beach trip and school had started back and we basically had the whole beach to ourselves except for a few retirees that walked in the mornings on the beach. It was wonderful! I hope you enjoy.
DeleteI feel so much cooler looking at your vacation pics! They tell a wonderful story of a loving family who knows how to do life together! You all look marvelous on the beach. Many hugs from this wilting Arizona friend on the other side of the nation! High humidity here in Monsoon season. Love you.
ReplyDeleteOh I know the humidity has got to be a killer Mary. We've had the most rain and it does not COOL the temps down either. Just makes it humid. At least at the beach when I got hot I could splash a little beach water on myself to cool off.
DeleteLove your blog and adorable pictures!!!
ReplyDeleteThe ocean heals-God's gift!!!
Thanks Brenda. Oh yes....that ocean is a healing balm for lots of things to me. So glad you stopped by.
DeleteEnjoyed all the pictures and so glad you all enjoyed. I truly love how your family does life together Cindy. I would have loved to have watched the kids crab hunt. That is so much fun.
ReplyDeleteConnie Royals
Thanks Connie. We did enjoy. Back to reality now. But as Marty said, "If we had the opportunity to be there all the time we probably wouldn't enjoy it as much". I am sure those words are true but girl, I'd give it my best shot! LOL!
DeleteEnjoyed all your family photos, family time is the best!! I think I would hang out on the balcony all day and just watch all the activities. Even at my age I love sparklers, so much fun. Beautiful family!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Miss Mary. We could see lots of activities from the balcony. We had shuffle board below and lots of kids with parents played softball, foot ball and etc. I enjoyed drinking coffee on the balcony.
DeleteYour annual beach trip always looks so wonderful! I love that you all love being together at the beach!! I would enjoy coffee on the balcony every morning too. That kite is awesome! It's good you can use it again in future years. You look amazing! Love seeing all of your adorable grands!
ReplyDeleteYes, we enjoyed the kite very much. It really did look cool too. Thanks for your sweet words Heather.
DeleteIt looks like a wonderful time for the family. You guys always have such fun being together! That is the way it should be. :) xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Dianna. We try to have fun in whatever we do . Life is too short not to enjoy every moment we can . ❤️
DeleteWhat fun you all had at the beach. The beach is calling me but I can't go right now. We will be heading that way in a couple of weeks and will meet up with dear friends from Arizona for a few days together. It's always fun when your family can be with you. Those times are my favorite!
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
We did have fun . I miss it . You will have a ball catching up with friends I’m sure and you enjoying life ❤️
DeleteDid you just love the If I Live book??!! I read all three in the series and thought they were fabulous. What a great trip to take with your big family. You can just feel the fun and happiness through the pictures.
ReplyDeleteYes mam i loved it . This was last in that series . I love terri blackstock . We do have lots of fun Ann Marie . We have a way of making our own fun . My bunch will come up with a game out of the blue even on a rainy day .😂
DeleteWhat a memorable family vacation? Maybe the pricey Eagle kite can become a family heirloom? HA!
ReplyDeleteTrue about the kite Margie . It’s packed up for next time .
DeleteI smiled through your whole entire post, Cindy!! The kids and the adults looked like they just had a ball. The two little ones are sooooo cute. I loved reading about all your activities and seeing the smiling, happy faces. The kite must've been something else. Sometimes the extra money is worth it! I know you're sorry that your vacation is over, but what wonderful memories you have. I'm so happy for you! xx
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun time Kitty . Yes you are right about extra money . It is indeed worth a little extra sometimes .
DeleteOh what fun you all had! Can I join your family? Right now I couldn't keep up with my fatigue but I love my family too and when we do things together. My husband wrote our names on the beach on our trip to Hawaii too! That was our 25th wedding anniversary trip! Nancy
ReplyDeleteCome on Nancy . We would surely welcome you . Oh how sweet for you man to write your names on beach in Hawaii . That’s on my list .
DeleteCindy, I loved all the beach pictures and stories. What a grand time with all the family. It's the best , isn't it? I like that big donut float. LOL. Your girls are so pretty like their mommy. I loved seeing the children reading also. Blessings to all, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie . Funny thing about the float . I paid 5$ for it and thought it wouldn’t last a Day . My bunch enjoyed that float all week long 😂
DeleteLooks like everyone had a great time together!! Wonderful!! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Debbie
We did Deb . Thanks
DeleteWell, it sure sounds like your beach vacation with the family was everything you already knew it would be ...and more. The smiles on everyone's faces tells the story like nothing else. I do hope to get to the beach before the year is over too. Thanks for sharing your wonderful time with us and you know, I don't think I've ever seen the Starfish Story before...how precious. Hugs to you, sweet Cindy!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to go to beach . I surely do enjoy the beach . Awe hope you enjoyed the story . It’s always been a fav of mine .
DeleteIt looked like you all had such a great family vacation! What great memories you all made!! As a retired teacher, I just love that you are a reading family. It’s so important to model reading to our kids and grandkids and not just tell them to read. Hey lady, I’m up for a Bloggers Beach week! Lol!! Any excuse to get to the beach is great with me! Have a great week. Zenda
ReplyDeleteMy oldest daughter loves to tead too . My youngest used too before having two little ones . Lol ! My mom always loved to read too . Yes wouldn’t it be fun for a bloggers beach trip .❤️
DeleteLooks like great fun. It is a blessing to spend time with your family. Every member of your family is so blessed to have you as their own because you love so well and have the biggest heart!
ReplyDeleteWe are presently at the beach with one half of our family. Our Texas kids went to the beach with my DIL's family. We gladly share because we love their family although we miss them with us.
Have a great week. It is hard to believe school is starting soon!
Awe i hope you hav fun Bonnie . Such fun times with family . It seems that school just let out doesn’t it ? I know the teachers feel the summer went quick .
DeleteOh- that story, LOVE it! Looks like you had a great time at the beach. Where is it you went. I did Panama City in April.
ReplyDeleteI e been to Panama beach too . It’s so pretty there Pam .
DeleteAw, so thankful you had such a wonderful time, sweet friend! God has blessed you with a beautiful family, indeed. Those little ones are just adorable!
ReplyDeleteThank you sweet Cheryl . We had a great time .
DeleteSounds that you all had a wonderful time with your family in the beach...
ReplyDeleteWe sure did have a great time.
DeleteOh, I love everything about this post, my Friend, but especially how happy you were with all you family around you. I can't even imagine the fun Y'all had! The starfish story is something my son-in-love used as part of their adoption story....they made a difference to two precious "starfish"!!! You're looking awesome! Love you bunches and can't wait till you and Mr. Marty decide to head back to the mountains of Tennessee! <3
ReplyDeleteAwe thanks Deb. Yes, you do have two precious starfish! Love it! We have been wanting to get back to the mountains but it seems there's been no time and so many other things we've wanted to do. However, I do want to go back. We went for years and enjoyed it so much. It was our quiet retreat away from home. Miss the cool mountain air.
DeleteI love that ending story of the starfish, Cindy. If we can only make a difference in just one person's life, then that is still a wonderful thing. That may be all God asks of us to do. Loved seeing your pictures of your family enjoying this wonderful vacation together at the beach. That is truly something to treasure. Thank you for sharing it with us. Loved seeing the littlest one in her cute dresses all dressed up for the beach. What fun you all have as a family! Love it, love it, love it.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the starfish story too Pam. Thanks for dropping by. I have enjoyed seeing all the pictures you've posted. Especially of those with the old vehicles.
DeleteCan I be adopted? {{{giggling}}} LOVE, LOVED, LOVED this post. smiles
ReplyDeleteCome on Linda. We will take you in gladly friend.
DeleteOh wow, what fun! :) And that little baby is just TOO sweet!! I'm so glad you all got to make these memories! Thank you for sharing them with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks lady. Our youngest girl is 9 weeks already! She had fun too at the beach. Thanks for coming by.
DeleteI always love coming by here to see what a really happy family is!! You have the BEST! So glad you had an amazing time together with the entire family on the beach. Nothing better. The kids look like they're having a blast...and so do you and Marty! The kite is perfect, and I'll bet you're glad you splurged because it probably made all your kids and grandkids so proud. Hope the rest of your summer is filled with more fun and love.
ReplyDeleteWendy xox
Thank you Wendy . We really did enjoy our time . I’m missing the beach time . Yes the kite was surly a highlight and we have it safe and secure for another time .
ReplyDeleteCindy, what a fabulous beach vacation with your beautiful family! The grands are all so adorable and the smallest in her little tutu swimsuit is so cute. I know your memories are forever in your heart! Hugs and blessings!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam. Yes she did look adorable in that cute little swim suit. It belonged to her older sister. She will get her hand-me-downs. Well, that is if she doesn't out grow them first. LOL!
DeleteLoved all your pics friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Ready to go back .
DeleteWhat a special time of making sweet memories with your precious family. So enjoyed the recap!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lea . Wishing i was sitting on that balcony with my coffee right now . 😊
DeleteSweet Cindy, I can't tell you how wonderful it was to visit your blog this evening. Oh, I have missed you! And before I forget, thank you for the lovely comment on my blog - you truly are a gem.
ReplyDeleteYour time away with family looked oh-so-lovely. What a special time for all of you. Your pictures brought a smile to my face and the beautiful beach has me yearning to go. Thank you for sharing with us.
Happy August, my friend! Hugs!
Thanks Stephanie . It was good to see your post .
DeleteWhat a fabulous time away with your precious family. Love seeing the happy photos. Your look lovely. The beach is a magical place. I do love the starfish story. have a wonderful weekend dear Cindy. Hugs
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Linda . We had a wonderful time .
Delete