Beach..again

Just a couple more things about our week at the beach...

History behind the pictures....

My sister Maryann used to live in DC with her family. She had a group of friends that has been going to the Outer Banks for about ten years. Well, in the past couple years several families have moved out west. Maryann's family is one of those families, but loved going to the beach with their friends so much that they have continued to go. They have been flying out to VA from UT for the past five years. Last year a family cancelled and left a slot open. We live close, so Maryann invited us to spend a week in a beach house with four other families that were strangers to us. Being the adventurous types that we are and knowing Shane and Maryann, we said,"Sounds like fun."

My children had never even seen the ocean. We were not sure how they would respond. How would the other families respond to us? Maryann is fun, interesting, and hilarious. Allot to live up to. We found out quickly that everyone one was great. All the kids get along. We share the house with 22 kids and twelve adults. Everyone shares food and chores. No one has to tell anyone what to do , we all just pitch in and get it done. Each family takes one night to make dinner for the whole group. We spend all day at the beach. The house is about 2 minutes from the beach so you can walk back and forth pretty easy. Each family goes home in 15 minute increments to use the showers. Sometimes your shower is a little cool, but it is also 90 degrees outside, so you don't seem to mind. We pack a lunch together with drinks, snacks and take that to the beach. The awnings provide great shade.

The beach is a private beach. This is wonderful as there are only about two to four other groups in our area. The water is warm. Skip says 75-80 degrees. I am not sure. It is nice to get into and very refreshing. Last year you could surf some what and defiantly boogie board. This year the waves were minuscule and the boogie boarding wasn't that great. This worked well for my kids. The fear they had last year left and they enjoyed the easy waves.

Sadly, this year Maryann's family did not make the trip. She was missed, they were all missed. A new family was invited and once again the group dynamic worked beautifully. I am not sure if being the same faith makes a difference or that we don't know all the little intricacies of each others life that you would if it were family that makes it works, but it is fun. Thank you to all that go and make it so memorable.