Over the summer Dave's parents planned a family trip to Bethany Beach in Delaware for their 5 kids and spouses and 15 grandchildren. They rented two houses that were a few blocks from the beach and we all met there from various parts of the country for week long family reunion. Since I have been part of their family this was the first time that we were ALL together. There have been a few other times that we have attempted it, but each time one or more family members were not able to make it. All the kids had so much fun together. Before the trip we talked to the kids about the cousins they would be meeting. Ady had not been with most of them since she was a baby so she really had not memory of that side of the family. There is a cousin just a few months older that her and the two of them really hit it off! She has asked me several times when we will be able to see her again! Hopefully we can make this an every other summer event!
The beach was so beautiful and the weather was great. Dave and I had a great time out in the waves with the other adults and oldest of the grandkids. Kyler and Tayden stayed close to the beach but were willing to play in the waves too. Ady wanted no part of the water so she mostly stayed in the sand and looked for shells. The waves were so high that Dave and I both had some crazy wipe outs. I actually felt safer with Ady safely on the sand. The waves claimed 2 pairs of sunglasses from me and almost stole Dave's shirt (not to mention disrobing me!) But it was so fun to play out in the ocean.
After we exhausted ourselves at the beach we all gathered at the larger of the two houses and had a great time relaxing together. The kids had a fun time coloring and playing games together and someone brought their wii, so the boys enjoyed playing that together. The adults all seemed to have some nice relaxing time to just read which was nice. Each night we took turns making dinner for everyone. On our night we made Hawaiian Haystacks.
During the week the kids decided to put on a play for the adults. They all worked together and came up the idea to reenact The Wizard of Oz. They did a great job! Tayden was the tin man and Ady was a munchkin and a flying monkey. Kyler was supposed to have a part but on the day of the performance decided it wasnt for him, so he was the official photographer of the play.
We tried to get a good family shot of all of us while we were there, but that turned out to be very challenging!
We happened to be there over the 4th of July and that turned out to be really fun. There was a really nice parade that went right in front of the house we were at, so we were able to just pull up some chairs right in the driveway. That night fireworks were set off right on the beach and we could see them from the various balconies of the house we were staying at.
Overall it was a wonderful trip and we are very thankful that we were able to go and enjoy our extended family. We have many fun memories!
During the week the kids decided to put on a play for the adults. They all worked together and came up the idea to reenact The Wizard of Oz. They did a great job! Tayden was the tin man and Ady was a munchkin and a flying monkey. Kyler was supposed to have a part but on the day of the performance decided it wasnt for him, so he was the official photographer of the play.
We tried to get a good family shot of all of us while we were there, but that turned out to be very challenging!
We happened to be there over the 4th of July and that turned out to be really fun. There was a really nice parade that went right in front of the house we were at, so we were able to just pull up some chairs right in the driveway. That night fireworks were set off right on the beach and we could see them from the various balconies of the house we were staying at.
Overall it was a wonderful trip and we are very thankful that we were able to go and enjoy our extended family. We have many fun memories!
