1. I never feel more at ease or more inspired when I’m on the water.
2. Or maybe it’s who I’m on the water with.
3. Little toes and ruffled swim bottoms make my heart skip a beat. Only if the ruffled bottoms are on my baby girl.
4. We’re only 2 hours from the gulf–and I’m officially resolute to head there more often.
5. Ava is c-c-crazy over the sand & sea. Just like her mama.
6. Grayson decided the sand was edible this time.
7. The day always starts the same: everyone tip toes to the water’s edge to test it out.
8. Matt is sort of allergic to the sun. He hides out under a tent all day.
9. Mama is expected to build sandcastles & jump waves.
10. Oh yeah, there’s lots of big waves.
11. I’m afraid of sharks like most people are afraid of spiders. Or snakes. Or most anything you’re more likely to encounter than a lightening strike.
12. My children seem to bond on vacation–everything is exciting & no one else around is cooler than their big brother or little sister.
13. Their newfound friendship makes me H-A-P-P-Y.
14. After, oh, say 3 minutes ankle deep in freezing water, my lovin-each-other-children officially go for it.
14. Which means mama goes for it. Freezing water and all.
15. Sand is like some kind of virus. It finds its way into all parts of the body and takes completely over. Eeww.
16. I don’t really mind the sand.
17. Matt minds it, though.
18. I’m, therefore, on sand-ridding duty.
19. Seafood should be a staple in all states, seaside or not.
20. Looking at the ocean reminds me of just how small I am.
21. And my little ones seem even smaller.
22. My desire to protect them multiplies each time I see their little feet approach the vastness that is the sea.
23. We already booked a beachside house for a week this summer because we could hardly bear to leave.
24. I started another book on our trip.
25. Better get back down there so I can finish it.
Morning Shaunna,
I know exactly how you feel about your children finding friendship in each other. My guys, now 30 & 28, have been best friends all their lives. They idolize each other and THAT is my proudest achievement as a mom. I know that should anything ever happen to Mom & Dad…they will have each other…that makes me smile.
Eva’s striped suit is ADORABLE!!!! sweet and modest like a little girl should be..love it.
Have a great week and very happy to hear you are writing another book.
Janet xox
The Empty Nest
PS…I found a photo of us together in Boston!! Blogged about it today.
ooh, yay! I really couldn’t believe I didn’t have one on my camera. Off to check it out!
shaunna
I totally agree with #19!!
I can relate! Lucky to live in Hawaii for several years and miss it daily. I want #19!!!
Loved all your pics from vacation!! It looks beautiful where you guys were at!! And if I was only 2 hours from the gulf, I think I would be there ALL THE TIME!!! Ava’s ruffled bottom suit is adorable!! Glad you guys had a great time!!
So jealous you’re so close to the beach!!! Looks like you guys had a blast! There’s really no option for me in Kansas, ha! I’ll just dream through you
so glad you had a great time….we lOVE the gulf….LOVE….you have to share where you atayed and your source for finding your beach house.
Love those swim suits! So adaorable….the ruffles are so adaorable.
The closest we are to a beach is a cruise we take about every 4-5 YEARS!!! So definitely take advantage of it being so close!!! (SOOO JEALOUS) Have an awesome summer!
Amen
Couldn’t agree more…Feel blessed to live by the water. Have a great week Shaunna! ~Kim
I love all of these, but especially #19
. Also, your daughter’s swimsuit is so adorable. Looks like a wonderful family beach day!
Number 20 is something I think every time I walk by the sea… Your pictures convey happiness… I loved that post!
SWOON! I want to be on the water too! these photos and words just melted my heart
Oh, #20 – yes! This is what I always feel when I’m at the ocean – how small I am and how big He is. It’s guaranteed perspective, every single time.
Your pics are so inspiring. I,also,am a water lover and as a child, spent all summer, all day long, swimming in a cold, swift river. Hubby’s (and mine) home is 10 minutes from the beach and we have a choice of 3 different beaches and many other water-spots too, where we can gather seafood it we want. Also great surfing beaches.Memoto self- Need to get back to the beaches, even if only for a walk.Soooo therapeutic!
Oh man – Wishing I was on a vacation after looking through those! Guess I’ll just have to keep bringing the beach into my home:) Love your blog!!
oh! These pictures are amazing.
Your kids are precious, and there aren’t prettier pictures than beach pictures!!
So glad you guys had fun!
Books are my favorite accessory to take to the beach. Love the pictures ! We were at the beach for a whole wonderful week and I can’t wait to go back. It’s just magical there.
Where in the world did you find Miss Ava’s swimsuit? I would love to get my little Hannah one! My husband always says, “Modest is hottest!” (when it comes to our daughter)
Btw, how did you fare Saturday?
I almost always start a book on the beach! I love the beach with all my being..and can never bear to leave when it’s time to go. In fact, I’m headed to the beach this weekend. I share so many of your sentiments that you mention in your post. And the fact that you are a writer first and foremost in your heart, really connects me to you. Then there is the love of design, creative expression, love of family…. We seem to have the same heart and when I see it bared by someone else, it makes me feel more beautiful…if that makes sense.
Sharon @ mrs. hines class
nothing greater than being by the sea! we live on oahu and i know i definitely take it for granted!
just a note about your kids being friends. i have a 24 yr. old daughter, married with a baby and a 20 yr. old son, single. my son lives here and she just moved to san diego. they are great friends and it is so fun to see that! he has gone to visit her already and wants to go back and maybe even move there to be closer to her and her little family that he loves. they were friends growing up but now they have a bond that can’t be broken!
The beach is the most beautiful and relaxing place.
Every day I am so thankful to be living in a small coastal town north of San Diego . . . and it was an amazing place to raise my boys. Instead of football, they were on the surf team, instead of summer camp they went through the junior lifeguard program. Their love of the beach has taken one of them to study marine biology. I’m glad you are able to spend time with your kids at this most amazing playground – the beach.
Oh, the beach…..just saying it makes me sigh and take a deep breath!!! I love living in the
My husband’s grandparents were Mukilteo natives basically (dirt roads and all!) and owned McConnell’s Boathouse where he spent a TON of time growing up. Seriously, my hubby and I went salmon fishing during our honeymoon! And sibling friendships are just like none other… 
Puget Sound, and we get to go quite often to the beach (granted all Washingtonian rocky) just 2 minutes from our house.