For this year's family reunion, we wanted to take our reunion to the beach. When the kids were all younger & still at home, we rented this beach house in Rio Del Mar a couple of times. We have great memories of this place so we wanted to re-create some of those memories with the grandkids.
Unfortunately, we couldn't find an available beach house (or two) that could accommodate our numbers (within our price range)....so Paul suggested we get rooms at this hotel that is literally across the street from "our" beach house! So that's what we did. Each family had their own room, most of which had family suites...
They offered a continental breakfast in their conference room - complete with waffle bar, cold cereal, muffins, pastries, toast, hard boiled eggs, fruit, etc - we kept the waffle bar busy & it was a nice place to gather to start our day...
We tried to simplify things even further by providing snacks & lunch items that each family could pack up to take to the beach for the day...
We like Rio Del Mar because it never seems to be too crowded. These pictures were taken over the three days we played at the beach (in no particular order). We claimed our spot early each day & pretty much took over the beach - yes, everyone in the picture below is with us. I brought a bunch of sand toys, including a few buckets & shovels so each kid could have fun playing in the sand...
It was fun to watch the kids running back & forth in the water, out of the water, digging in the sand, then repeat...they never stopped!
Parents had to make them take breaks to eat...
It was fun to watch everyone visiting & laughing...
There might have been a few "selfies" taken here & there...
Some played volleyball...
Some flew kites...
Some chased waves...
Some liked the water...
Others did not...
There was LOTS of digging in the sand...
Those buckets came in handy to fetch some water for building sand castles & digging...
We had some serious digging going on...
Of course we buried a few...
Aunt Dara & Uncle Ben helped some become mermaids...
We created sand art...
We found a seaweed princess...
And a mer-man!
Aunt Cindi created a castle by squeezing wet sand from her hand, stacking each pillar...
We had some boogie boarders...
And body surfers...
Uncle Kyle offered skim boarding lessons...
Kenyon would hit a wave & flip off his skim board - every time I'd look up, I'd see him flying through the air...
There were lots of big people helping little people...
Paul's parents came to visit & say hello...
I think GG'pa Fudge was pretty amazed at the sight of all his great-grandchildren. I said to him, "Look what you started!" He said, "Yeah, isn't it neat?"
GG'ma is so sweet to make sure she visits with everyone...
There were lots of smiles...
Especially from us...
The first night we came back to the pool for a pizza party...
These two LOVE their picture taken (sarcasm intended)...
Not everyone was feeling this photo op...
I think we created some great memories so far! Next up, family photos & a nostalgic trip to the Boardwalk.
2 comments:
Jenny!!!!!!!! It was such a nice surprise to see you on my blog, thanks for the comment. :)
I can't believe you all were in Rio Del Mar for your reunion!!! My dad's beach house is right there at the top of the hill on Florence Drive!!! It's literally 30 seconds from the beach you were on! I wish we'd have known, we would have been able to see all of your sweet kids but especially our old friends!!! It looks like a grand time was had. I hope our family will be like yours as we get older, it's what we are aiming for. :)
Glad you all look so happy and healthy, take care,
Shauna xo
such a beautiful family
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