Ocean City Fun!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

This week's post is a little late because Claire and I got back on Tuesday from an AMAZING Ocean City vacation with some of my family.  My father and his wonderful friend, Dixie, rented out a beach house and invited friends and family to come stay with them.  Chris came for one night and my sister and I stayed until Tuesday.  Dixie's son, Rick lives in Ocean City so he was a great tour guide and he even cooked us some of his fresh fish for dinner.  Dixie's friends Christine and Jim also came, as well as her friend Krista, from Minneapolis.  Needless to say, it was a full house, but we all had an excellent time together! 

One of the best parts of the vacation was the house and it's views!  Located on the Bay side of Ocean City, we were treated to some amazing sunsets each evening as we sat down to eat dinner.



Chris grabs a beverage as we sit down to a crab feast!  Picking crab is the best way to start a vacation in Maryland.

I could get used to relaxing to this view at the end of each day!

The weather for our trip was great. I think the hottest it got was 80 degrees one day and we used that day to go to the beach.  Otherwise, it was cool, no humidity, and perfect weather for s'mores!

 

I can't believe this was my first s'more of the season. I might need to get one of these fire pits so I can do s'mores more often! YUM!

 

On Sunday, we all began to shift into vacation mode!  

 

Sara embraces her Corona moment with a nice book and a comfortable chair!

Chris and I also get a Corona moment during Claire's afternoon nap!

  

Dad, a.k.a. Indiana Jones, is ready for an adventure!

Our crab pot has its first catch, thanks to Dixie and Rick! 

The crab pots brought in all kinds of great things, like hermit crabs and even a puffer fish! Check out this video of one of our favorite surprises: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95REjbaBtlI

Rick caught a flounder one day!
 

It was like being on a marine biology field trip to get to see all of the sea life!  I'm not sure what Claire thought about all of it.  She certainly liked to run around the yard and play in the sand.

"Mom, I think there is something wrong with my pants!"

Chris, Claire, and I share a moment before Chris heads home to get ready for the work week.

On Sunday afternoon, Dad, Sara, Claire and I headed up to the beach!  The water felt cool, but not too cold for walks in the surf! 

 

Sara and Dad put their feet in the Atlantic!

Claire and I watch and wave from the beach. It's time to start building some sand castles!

Claire is actually starting to help build more than destroy!

It's Claire's turn for a walk with Aunt Sara!

 I have to take a moment to tell you how wonderful my sister is.  She was so helpful and supportive during this fun vacation by helping with Claire.  Anytime she saw that I needed a break or help with Claire, she would whisk Claire away or ask Claire if she would hold her.  Claire would happily run over to give Sara a hug and then snuggle up on Sara's lap! They became great friends.  Thanks Sis, for helping me to have a vacation too :)

Getting ready for another sunset dinner, Sara plays with Claire while I put together our plates!

I'm pretty sure this is my Dad's idea of heaven, fresh broiled fish on the pier with a cigar at sunset!

Another great sunset! Jim and his wife Christine were wonderful company on our trip!

 Sunday morning we were up with the sunrise (because that's how Claire rolls on vacation).  So Dad, Sara, and I headed out to let the rest of the house sleep and so we could take a stroll on the boardwalk. The result was fun family bonding time!

Claire: "See, I told you guys that getting up and out would be worth it!"

The sun coming through the clouds!

 Sara and I took advantage of nap time that afternoon by relaxing and doing some kayaking!
We had so much fun!

This is what every nap time should look like!

Sunhats on and ready to kayak!

Claire is up and she visits with Papa while I get us beach ready!

There's always time for a horsey ride with Mommy before loading into the car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpHmyjj6a0Y  Obviously, I'll do anything for smiles and giggles!

Since the weather and water was warm, we got to jump in the ocean waves!  Claire had fun holding onto Mom and Aunt Sara while we lifted her up and over the surf!  Then she would reach down and smack at the bubbles.  We all had a great time! 

Fun in the sun!

 That evening we were ready to relax and I snapped a photo of the three of us snuggling on the couch! 

A great family moment!

I have more photos to share, I just need to gather them from family...hopefully they will make it into next week's post! 

I'll leave you with an entertaining clip of Claire getting into the beer chest for "Ice."  Yes, Claire, I'm sure that's what you were in there for...  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2-AF5JYhVA

Love,
Bethie