Week up north: the beach!

As far back as I can remember, I have spent at least one full week at the cottage up north by the lake every summer. Even when my family lived in Pennsylvania, my brother and I would fly, by ourselves, back to Michigan for a week with our grandparents. Since Ryan and I have been married, the tradition has continued. A full week really lets us settle in and relax and enjoy our time - and is the highlight of my summer!

Our first weekend up, my grandparents, parents (who stayed the week), brother, and sister-in-law were there, too. I managed to swipe each family member's media card from their camera at the end of our first weekend, and easily had over 150 photos to choose from - just from our first 3 days!. :o) Lots of fun = lots of pictures!

Here are a few pictures so far from playtime on the beach. Taylor l-o-v-e-s playing in the sand and water. She makes a beeline for the beach as soon as we arrive - usually soaking all of her clothes that she is wearing if we don't get them off her first. :o)

Looking at these pictures - she seems like such a BIG kid now! When did our little girl get so tall??

Lots of people joined in on the beach fun...

Dada

Bapa

Uncle Jeff

Camryn was usually hanging out nearby in someone's lap

And even on one hot day, she joined us in the water - it was SOO warm!!

We hung out in the water for almost an hour - playing in the shallow water and waves
Taylor is never far from her sister - and loves to show her affection with kisses...

And hugs...(Camryn is getting quite used to Taylor's loving "hugs", and is already showing that she can be a tough little sister- tolerating her big, affectionate gestures - with hardly a fuss :o))

Lots of creations were built, including this sand castle by Ryan

And "the Stinky", made by Uncle Jeff (a nickname that Taylor and Jeff came up with for their creation where water would pool because Jeff used some clay that is a little smelly to line the bottom of it :))

And a lot of times no toys were needed at all - and Taylor would just run or walk up and down along the water's edge

We still have a few days left of vacation, so Part II of our week at the lake coming up next!