Memorial Day weekend and week we spent at our happy place, Seabrook. This was Maddie's first time and out first time traveling as a family of five (yes, Dakota made the trip as well.
I was pretty anxious how the trip was going to go but it was definitely reassuring knowing this was the view we got to wake up to every morning and once we arrived, we had reinforcements in the way of DeeDee, Papa, Uncle Court and Laura to help out.
Ella was counting down the days until we got to go to "DeeDee and Papa's beach" for weeks and couldn't wait. Once we arrived (trip took only an extra hour which I thought wasn't too terrible), we quickly put on our suits and hit the beach!
Last summer, Ella wasn't the biggest fan of the ocean but she couldn't wait to get in it right away this year. Asking whoever was free to come in the ocean with her. Of course, she was still a little tentative and wanted someone close by but she loved splashing in the waves. She especially loved splashing DeeDee in the ocean.
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| I call this one the Baywatch shot! |
And no princess in a polka dot bikini (or frakini as she calls it) is complete without her own pink chair and umbrella.
After a full day on the beach, we retreated to our favorite place to watch sunsets and celebrate happy hours, the back deck. The view doesn't getting any better than this and Papa taught Ella all about sunsets and how they are "very special."
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| Warning, there are a lot of sunset shots in this post. |
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| Love this one with their arms around each other! |
We were grateful for the extra hands to help and Ella was happy for all the extra attention. One night, after her bath, Ella insisted on DeeDee and Papa coming down to the beach and running around with her before bedtime. And as we all know, anything Ella says, we all do so they happily took her down to the beach for an evening stroll and wave jumping.
And the littlest one thought the beach was pretty fun also. Papa hasn't seen her since she was born so she has changed a lot in 3 months.
Another day and another new bathing suit. Ella definitely does not have a shortage of different suits to sport.
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| Nice jazzercise shirt Uncle Court |
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| Diva in instagram style |
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| Building Tinkerbell's castle |
The great thing about the house being right on the beach (and the use of modern technology) is that while Maddie took long morning naps, we could still all be out on the beach enjoying the sunshine. But once she woke up, we would set up the tent and she could come down and hang out with everyone and breath in the fresh beach air.
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| Thanks cousin Ry for Ella's bikini, as you can tell, she wanted to wear it everyday! |
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| Getting ready to hit the beach in bikinis! |
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| She is princess no matter where she is! |
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| Another amazing sunset! |
Nothing like a little fresh salt air to make you sleep "like a baby." Maddie didn't love the pack n play and did wake up more frequently at night than at home but at least she took great naps during the day!
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This little monkey LOVES her Uncle Court, especially when he takes her potty:)
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Aside from the not sleeping great, this one was so easy going and happy the entire time. I think her smile says it all, I love the beach!
The final night, we all ventured up to the shopping area where they had a live band and festivities going on. And low and behold, we actually took a picture of all four of us!
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| Getting ready to hit the dance floor |
We were so thankful to have DeeDee and Papa down there to help out with both girls. They would stay in while the girls napped so we could have some quiet beach time and never complained when they had to endure watching Beauty and Beast about 100 times that week. Thanks DeeDee and Papa for everything!
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| Maddie says thank you also:) |
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| These photos just make me laugh! Hanging out with the frogs and then giving him a big hug! |
We were sad to come home, especially when the last day was gorgeous and sunny but there is always time for a few more pictures on the back deck!
It is definitely safe to say that out of everyone down at the beach that week, no one had more fun than Dakota. She loves to run on the beach and splash through the waves. We have been home for a week now and I think she is still recovering from all the fun she had! A true beach dog!
So, while the car rides weren't the most enjoyable and it is hard traveling with two little ones, especially a very little one, it was worth it! We just need a vacation from our vacation now! Cheers to lots of great sunsets and happy hours!
