We went out one morning and one-by-one, an hour later, I had them all finished-good enough, which seems to be the mantra around here lately.
(I have these two favorites for Patrick and can't pick which one I love more-little Mr. Blue Eyes.)
On our last evening I did a quick beach pic of the kids, while Jeff picked up pizza. I loved this series:
Some questions answered from last post:
1. Here is the link for the house we stayed in:
http://www.vrbo.com/396129
2. Do I allow texting/cell phones for teenagers during vacation?
It depends...in Seaside I do (my two older ones have cell phones) because they usually meet up with friends or cousins or each other and they let us know where they are and when they are coming back.
3. Do we bring friends, share houses on vacation?
We don't/can't! bring friends because we have no room in the car. (Which we have to start thinking of soon, since we will have to fit one more of our own!) I really want and need our vacations to be family time. I don't mind meeting up with people, but I always want our own place. I know lots of families share houses with friends/relatives, but it just always seems way too chaotic for me, and requires so much co-ordination it seems, that the "relaxing" part of vacation never seems present. I like to have my little ones nap/go to bed early in a quiet place and have some control over that. This year my sister-in-law's sister and husband and daughter stayed near us at their own place and we met at the beach every day, went out to casual, quick dinners a few times, and it was so fun. Their daughter hung out with Abbey and played with Patrick and Andrew so much which was really nice of her.
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You did a fantastic job with the pictures!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! Love the group shots!!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job with the portraits! It looks like a fantastic family trip!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous pics of your kids!!! Patrick is growing up :)
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful happy children - great photos. It is so lovely to see a normal family!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! We stay in Seagrove Beach each year, and I can't think of a better place for senior pictures than on that beach!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! What lenses did you use? I always want crystal clear photos of my kiddos!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing these pictures every year! Really makes me want to head to the beach!!
ReplyDeleteLove the kids portraits!!:)
have a happy day sarah
The pictures look so great. You have probably said this before and if I missed it, so sorry, but do you use a special lens for those individual shots? I remember you saying you take them out early to do it and I did that for my kids and the difference is amazing, just wondering about the lens.
ReplyDeleteI was cracking up about the switching seats in the van. Not sure if you wanted us to laugh but I kept getting a visual of you guys stopping for a restroom break and it was like the old fashioned Chinese firedrill from my teenager days.
Have a great day!
Gorgeous pictures!
ReplyDeleteHey Sarah,
ReplyDeleteOnce again, great timely post! I recently went on vacation with relatives and it was fun but a bit chaotic for me. You put into words what I've been struggling to figure out since I got back home. I couldn't quite place why I felt so out of whack on vacation. I didn't have fun, even though my little one did with her older cousins. Add that I'm pregnant to that equation, and you can imagine how eager I was to get back to the quiet pace of my own home. I don't think I will be doing things that way again, I especially won't be sharing a hotel room with others where I couldn't control nap or bedtime.
Thanks again, for your timely insight and words.
My mother and mother in law think I'm crazy to have scheduled our east coast family beach vacation for two weeks after our baby is born. All I can think about is how nice it will be to sit in a beach chair holding a baby, sipping a Roy Rogers and watching my other kids play in the surf. No house to clean, no projects or chores nagging my brain, no phone calls. Just dinner out or dinner in, new baby, nap when I want, a good book, and two weeks of just us.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures confirm I'm not crazy. It will be the perfect recovery getaway :)
Great pictures Sarah! I can't believe what a big boy Patrick is getting to be, so cute!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos...beautiful kids!!! I love your real life...we have all been there. And vacations can be a lot of work! The best part of an ocean vacation, though, is the relaxing when you get there. I love, too, when you don't have to get back in a car. We are go-getters and are always checking out museums and sites....but not so much at the beach. We all want to go back! When??? Who knows....it's so hard w/kids in college! I have a book I have to find for you....can't recall if you've read it - but it is perfect for you now - at this stage in your life!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures Sarah! Love them all. Patrick is really getting big and looking grown up...such a little cutie.
ReplyDeleteWe are going there this summer!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait!
Mr. Blue Eyes indeed. Oh, Sarah. I'm so glad you had such a lovely vacation! We've never been to Seaside; but reading your posts makes me want to go!
ReplyDeleteSo you do let your kiddos watch movies in the car? We are planning on camping for a week in the smokies, and it will be about 12-15 hour car ride for us--our first, and we have a 6 yr old, 4 year old and 18 month old. We really want to not take movies, but want to be realistic too! I have new games and books for them, some audio books, and we are going to try and drive a chunk at night. But all our family is here, and so my kids think an HOUR in the car is a LONG time. I'm nervous! Any advice about the movies?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Sarah! I love to hear about your real life moments :) What a gorgeous place.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the first picture of Patrick. I know you don't want to hear this, but man alive...he's turned into a little man. How did that happen?
ReplyDeleteOkay...between your photos and another friend of mine who also visits Sea Side every year, I'm just itching to go. It looks beautiful.
What a lovely family! Your photos are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteYour blessings are beautiful. You are such an inspiration to me as a mother and wife. Hope you are feeling well and best of everything on your pregnancy journey!
ReplyDeleteIt is good to hear that someone else doesn't invite friends on vacation. My kids are convinced they are the only kids in America that aren't allowed to bring their friends.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post. Very encouraging!
Funny, I was just on vrbo and totally burned out on trying to find a house in/near Seaside for us this summer when I decided to pop on over to your blog and catch up. Well, there you go. Ha! LOVE the pictures of the kiddos!! You know what's sad? Four kids are happier in the car than my husband and I - WE are the ones bickering and driving each other crazy. Sad sad.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me say, I've only recently discovered your blog, & am now a loyal follower. FYI, the photos of your children are incredible, & will only become more meaningful over the years to come, much more so than anything a "professional" could have ever done.
Secondly, much appreciation for dealing with (& posting about) real life issues, rather than some fantasy world of which all too many blogs consist.
Last, but certainly not least,in these days of all too lackadaisical parenting, (not to mention all the mothers living vicariously through their own daughters) your commitment to raising your children in a responsible & meaningful way is incredibly refreshing, & more than a little inspiring.
I have always believed that motherhood is the highest calling to which a woman can aspire. Being a responsible parent, & especially, a stay-at-home mom, is a tough, challenging job, often involving controversial battles, long hours, & non-existent wages. But, at the end of the day, it is worth it all, & so much more. Your investment, & hence, the rewards of your labors, are priceless, & precious beyond measure.
I don't presume to know your faith or belief, but years ago, when I was at home with my own children, the 31st chapter of Proverbs (The Virtuous Woman) was always an encouragement to me. I commend you, & all the other young mothers, & encourage you to persevere in fighting the good fight.
Many blessings,
Deb Bradford
Natchitoches, La.
I have been reading your blog for a few minutes, and I have your family...ok not really, but I do have 5 kids also and my girl is #2 and the rest are boys...It was cool to see!
ReplyDeletere Abby's shorts....
ReplyDeleteshe is at the beach, so short shorts are fine. I'm presuming she wears a swimming costume when she is at the beach too, or is swimming at the pool.
However, If she were wearing shorts to go out in the evening with stilettos and a boob tube, then, of course not..