Duckworth Beach Week...

The first week of October, we drove down to San Clemente, CA to spend a week on the beach with Mitch's family.  We had perfect beach weather and perfect company.  We spent all day on the beach, soaking up the sun, riding the waves, and enjoying our family.

Finn loved boogie boarding with Jayden, Jackson and Carter, while Dieter dug in the sand with Reese and Mason.  Remi and Harper just napped in the shade and went with the flow.

One day we rented surf boards and paddle boards.  The kids had a blast working out their surfing skills and the adults had fun paddle boarding out into the ocean.  Although, we did have a few accidents including stitches and a torn ligament due to the waves knocking over paddle boarders.  It didn't dampen the fun though!

One of my favorite pictures.  Love these two so much!

Finnley and Reese

Grandma and Grandpa with their NINE grandkids!

Harper and Remi…just 23 hours apart!

We had such a great week and didn't want to leave.  We miss California everyday and still think of it as our home.  We are so grateful for the Duckworth's for putting on another great family trip. We feel blessed to have such great siblings and parents on both sides of our family.  How did we get so lucky?

Montauk Point...

A couple weeks ago, Mitch and our friend Josh Psillos decided to ride their bikes out to Montauk Point, the Eastern tip of the south fork on Long Island.  They ended up doing 75 miles and had a great ride.  Katie and I drove out to meet them with the kids, and we all spent the rest of the day enjoying Montauk together.  After lunch at a cute deli in town, we headed to the beach to relax.  We finished off the night with dinner at Bay Burger in Sag Harbor.  It was such a great day, with great people!

Cora & Remi

Finn found this crab leg and was so excited about it.  I guess she decided to keep it because a few days after our beach day I got in the car and it smelled AWFUL!  I said out loud, "ewe, what is that smell?  Is there a rotten sippy in here or something?" Finnley just looked at me and said, "Oh, that's my crab leg."  She had left it in the side compartment of her door and let it bake in our hot car over the weekend.  I told her to throw it away, but a few days later I found it wrapped up in tissue in a plastic baggy in her desk drawer.  This girl is such a hoarder, she makes me laugh.  I finally got her to throw it in the trash, and supervised her in the act!

Finnley has been working on her cartwheel all summer.  Luckily, Katie was a gymnast growing up and gave Finnley some tips to help her out.  She starts gymnastics this fall and is so excited about it!

 

 

 

Thanks Katie and Josh for such a fun day! 

Smith Point Beach Day...

 

We've been hitting the beach as much as possible this summer, knowing its going to be our last living within a short drive of one.  A few weeks ago, we got together with a bunch of friends from our ward and hit up Smith Point.  The kids were in heaven searching for sand crabs, jelly fish, and digging big deep holes.  We stayed all day, and enjoyed the sun and the sand.

 

 

The dads braved the cold Atlantic waters and did a little body surfing.  Its good to know that boys never grow up...and I mean that in the best way!

Remi & Cora

 

This girl is constantly snatching my diet coke.  Luckily I love her to pieces and she gets away with murder.  

Cousin California Trip...

 

Where do I even start?!  My sisters had the brilliant idea of hitting up the beach - just moms and kids - early in June.  I hopped on a 5 1/2 hour flight from JFK to LGB alone with my three kids....and it was worth it!  We had such a blast.  The kids were endlessly entertained and I enjoyed hours upon hours of conversation and laughs with my dearest peeps.  It was a week I'll never forget - so cliché, but so true.  Here are a few pictures of our week...

 

 

Grandma Jan with 12/16 grandkids at Crystal Cove State Park.

 

 

 

Dieter and my mom played smash ball for-ev-er. 

I'm not sure D improved too much, but I am sure he loved it!
Finnley ran, jumped and rode the waves All. Day. Long!

 

Remi wasn't so sure about getting her feet wet the first few days. 

She'd lift her feet up in the air so I couldn't make her stand.

By the end, she was crawling, drinking (ewe), and practically rolling in it.

Balboa Island.  Think Candy Barrel, Balboa Bar, Chips and Salsa, and Even Sisters.

What's Newport without a stop at Ruby's?

Ruby burger, fries, and an Oreo Shake.  No shame - I've never been a healthy eater.

These two were entertainment all day.  I loved watching their interactions, bickering, and laughter.

 

 

Sea Witches?

 

 

 

 

I probably would have wept, literally-ugly-cry-wept, if I wasn't going to be seeing them again in a couple of weeks.  I love this family of mine, their kids, and all the fun we have each time we get together.  I'm sure I've said this before, but I am so blessed.  Thanks for a great week Sansom Fam. 

Oh, and what's one of the {many} benefits to having a sister that's a photographer?  Gorgeous pics when you didn't even bring your camera.  Thanks Sara B for the great shots.