Day 9 - Wednesday - Beach day 2

Today is Wednesday. We decided to go back to the beach. There is a water park here that we talked about checking out, but it was expensive and the kids decided to go back to the beach because we don't have a beach at home. Good choice! So we loaded up the stuff and headed back to the beach. Mommy was so excited. (a little sarcasm). We went to a different part and it was much more crowded and it was hard ed to find a good spot, but we found a place and settled down. We didn't rent a chair this time, so Gary spread out the towels for me to sit on. Katie started building her "kingdoms" again and Maggie and Gary headed for the water. The water was colder today and there were no seashells in the area...so everyone was a little grumpier. And then, we discovered that we were too close to the water. A big wave came up and got alot of our stuff wet...including my sitting towel...that about did it for this momma and her grumpy crew. But we didn't pack it up and Katie decided that she wanted to head out jump the waves with Gary and Maggie...but she was scared, really scared. But finally with ALOT of coaxing and Gary practically dragging her, She did it! And she loved it! She absolutely LOVED it. She jumped waves and played in the water and faced her fears. I was so proud and so thankful that we didn't give into our grumpiness and leave before she had the chance.

We did finally pack it up and head back to the condo the clean up. We went to dinner at a place called Dumpsers. It is famous for it's ice cream treats...tons of different kinds of ice cream and sundaes and mixes and everything. They also have burgers and chicken and sub sandwiches. We had a yummy dinner. Then we met the rest of the family to go go-karting. The kids LOVED that and by kids I also mean Gary. He loves to go-kart. He raced his brother and the kids raced and Katie even drove a go-kart even though she was scared.

Today was busy, but fun. The beach wasn't quite as great today, but the kids still loved it. We are all getting tired and starting to think about heading home. Gary and I decided that we will probably leave tomorrow night and drive through the night to get home. It will be a tough drive, but once it is over, we will be home and then have all weekend to rest and sleep. If you think of us anytime on Friday, say a little prayer. We will be driving all day and ready to be home.

Day 8 - Tuesday - Beach Day

Today we tackled the BEACH! We loaded up all our towels and sunscreen and sand toys and headed out. Now, I will let you in on a little secret...I am not really a beach person and by not really I mean not at all. It's sandy. It's hot. The water is salty and a little smelly. It's hard to walk. But I made the sacrifice and put on my very best happy beach face and headed out with my family. The kids have not spent much time at the beach. Maggie has been a few times, but Katie and Drew have only been once and they don't remember.

They LOVED it. They absolutely LOVED it. I am so glad I didn't miss it. I am so glad we came. Katie built her "kingdoms" in the sand. Maggie and Gary spent over an hour jumping waves together. Drew helped Katie and gathered up a bucket full of "interesting and unique" seashells. It was incredible. They really liked it and that made it all worth it. Worth the money and the travel and the sand...because they really enjoyed themselves...that pure joy that comes from kids and that was fun. Here are a couple of pictures...

Katie and her kingdoms

The Sandcastle Team!

The kids bury Gary in the sand



Gary buried Maggie!

After we spent time at the beach we walked around on the boardwalk and had a late lunch. Then we came back and cleaned up and went back to the boardwalk for a fireworks show that night. The boardwalk is a lot of fun. There is a man there that spends all day making these sand sculptures that he uses to witness to the people on the boardwalk. That was cool to see. The kids really liked that. The fireworks were neat. WE were sitting so close and they were so loud that Katie got a little scared. She wasn't sure about the fireworks being that close. Here is the sand sculptures on the beach...

Sand sculpture

The detail in these is amazing. The picture doesn't do it justice.

Noah's ark



Jesus.

So we had a really great day. So thankful. I am tired and getting ready for home, but so thankful.

Day 7 - Monday - Ocean City

Monday night. We safely arrived in Ocean City. It was about a four hour trip from Winchester. We are staying in a condo on the water, but not directly on the beach. There are 10 of us staying here in a four bedroom condo. It is always fun and interesting traveling and staying with extended family. :)

Last night we went bowling with Gary's sister and baby Brayden. It was alot of fun. When it was time to leave and say goodbye, Katie just cried and cried. She did not want to say goodbye. It was very heart wrenching. It broke Gary's heart. It was so sweet to see how she bonded with the family.

So then we packed up this morning and headed to the beach.

There is not too much to say about today. It was mostly uneventful. WE got settled into our rooms and unpacked and made dinner. Gary and i did have a few moments alone to walk over and see the beach. Then we were sitting outside on the deck, just enjoying being outside and then there were fireworks. totally unexpected. The kids were so excited. I told them it was a serendipity, an unexpected surprise. They loved that word. Drew told everyone all about his new word

All in all it was a good day. WE are looking forward to tomorrow and the next several days at the beach and here in Ocean City. Tomorrow will be more eventful.

.

Day 6 - Sunday

Today is total chill day. Everyone slept late and even after we ate breakfast, everyone just laid around and watched TV and chilled out. It was sooooo nice. Then all the kids piled on our bed and we had big time tickle time. Which was awesome!

Now the kids and Gary are swimming (do you see a theme here) and I am updating the the blog and downloading pictures and taking some time to reflect. It is raining here, sort of storming. (the pool is inside). It is so feels so refreshing and I am not even outside in it...just watching from the window. It is good for my soul. Like the psalmist says...like a dry and weary land thirsts for the rain, oh my soul thirsts for thee. It is so true.

Today I have been thinking about vacation. I was very fortunate as a child and teenager to travel ALOT with my family. More than most people and I don't take that for granted. I know it is a gift. As for my kids, we have not taken many long vacations. This is really the fist long driving trip and it reminds me so much of our trips growing up. Staying in the hotel, swimming, having stuff everywhere, everyone sleeping in the same room (I am about ready for that part to be over), just being together. I never realized that as a kid, but now as a parent, I am cherishing these moments...looking the kids right in the eyes to see what they are thinking and how they are growing. I think it is been the same for Gary. He just wanted us to be away together, to solidify our family and it has been exactly that. So thankful...but also a little tired of so MUCH togetherness, but trying to remind myself that they won't always want my undivided attention and that this season passes very quickly.

So happy Sunday everyone. Hug your loved ones. Tell them you love them. Enjoy something today.

We will leave in the morning for the beach. I can't wait. Pray we have great weather. My next post will be from Ocean City Maryland with some great beach pictures (I hope).

Day 5 - Saturday

Saturday was all about the car and the alternator. Gary's brother Sam found a cheap one a couple of towns over so we all loaded up and went to get it and then back to Sam's where Gary and his brothers could install it. Gary took us the back way to Sam's though all these little towns and to a swinging bridge so the kids could have a little fun. Here are a couple of pictures. It was wooden and about 25 feet over the water. Katie was nervous, but she finally went across.

Maggie and Drew did not hesitate

Katie is nervous



She did. She is getting so brave!!

Here is a shot of the river



Here is a good shot of the length!

After the swinging bridge and all the driving and fixing the alternator, the kids were done. Gary really wanted to go see dirt track racing which is what he always did when he lived here, but the kids just wanted to swim. I know they would have gone to see racing if I would have made them, but it would have cost money for something they didn't really want to to do...so Gary went to see racing with his sister and brother-in-law and we came back and swam (of course). The pool was packed because the hotel was almost full last night. WE met some people from New Hampshire, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Indiana. The kids had ALOT of fun with all the kids in the pool. And then showers and bed.

We have had a good time in Virginia, but the kids and I are ready to head to the beach. We have one more day here and then we are leaving early Monday morning. Looking forward to it.

Day 3/Day 4 Combo

Today is day 4 on our grand adventure. Today has been calm and quiet so far. Gary took the kids to the park so I could take a little nap and we are about to go swimming. Tonight Gary's brother, Sam, is having the family up at his house to cook out and play games and have fun. He lives up on the mountain and the kids are very excited about that. The highlight of the trip by far is hanging out with family. It has been awesome getting to know Gary's family and let them get to know the kids. Everyone seems to be fitting together with no trouble.

Yesterday we had an unexpected treat. Gary's brother Tom from Jersey came down to see us. It was so wonderful to meet him and spend time with him. We all went together to the Skyline Caverns. It was the kids first time to tour a cave. They loved it and were totally fascinated by all the cave formations.
We learned alot about caves and it inspired an old earth/new earth creation discussion today with the kids. VERY INTERESTING.

It is now almost midnight. We just got back from Gary's brothers house. He lives a little ways up on the mountain. It was a great time with family. The kids got to see lightning bugs really for the first time. Also, Sam built Katie a fire and they roasted marshmallows. WE definitely determined that Sam is going to spoil the kiddos, especially Katie...she asks and he is happy to help make it happen. :) Very sweet.

It was great to see Gary with his family. He is so relaxed and so comfortable. That was my favorite part. Just seeing even more of what I love in him.

WE also went swimming at the place called the 4H. It is a little pool on the mountain. The water was cold and there was a cool breeze, but it was fun. There was hardly anyone there, so the kids got to play around alot. It is next to this incredibly gorgeous and random camp grounds. I took some pictures that I will post later.

A couple of bumps in the road today. Early this morning about 1:30 Katie fell out of the bed and hit her check on the night stand. It is a pretty good bruise. She screamed and it woke me up and I screamed and then Gary jumped up. She was fine except for that, but it took us all a while to settle back down to sleep. Second, the alternator is going out on the car. We noticed a strange noise on the car yesterday and tonight at Sam's, Gary and his brothers got out there and looked at all the possibilities and tested the alternator and determined that's what is wrong. It would be probably be fine driving around town, but not driving 25 hours home. So, if you read this and think of us, please pray that we can get it replaced tomorrow for a nominal fee. :) that is definitely an unexpected expense. But we are all well and safe and at least they found it while we are here instead of at a rest stop in the middle of nowhere. Very thankful for God's hand of protection.

That is about all for now. Maggie has been working on some video blogs that I will try and post tomorrow along with some more pictures. Heading to bed now. Tired but so very thankful for new family memories and just time with the kids, real time.

Day 2 (or the morning of Day 3)

Good morning from Winchester, VA. It is after 10 here and the kids are swimming with Gary. Everyone slept until 9:15 when I woke them up to go eat breakfast. It was great.

Yesterday was a good day, but a long day. The novelty of the car trip had worn off and everyone was a little tired. We left Nashville Wednesday morning about 8:00. Gary wanted to leave earlier, but everyone was moving kinda slow. WE set the alarm for 6:30, but when I woke up I noticed that everything in the room was sorted and organized into little piles, so I have no idea how long Gary had been awake before that. Crazy guy, you would think he was excited to be seeing his family.  :) The morning drive went well, but in the afternoon I started to get sick to my stomach and had to stop more frequently which made our trip a little longer.

But we finally made it to Winchester and get checked into our hotel. we have two queen beds and a pull out couch. Plenty of room for us. We got our stuff organized and then the family came. It was so great to see everyone. Gary's sister and brother and niece and nephew came over and it was wonderful. So glad we came. So very glad.

That is all for now because I am being summoned to the pool. Today will be a relaxing day and hanging out around here. I will let you know what kind of trouble we get into.

So far this trip has been good and I am thankful.

Here are a couple of pics...one of the kids when we came into VA and the other of Maggie holding Baby Brayden in the pool. He is 11 months old.