We had one of the best beach trips that we have had, yet. It helps that the kids are getting older and I think it will only get easier and better. However, if it were up to them.... as Matt says.... we could stay at a hotel in Lafayette with a pool and they would be happy. None of the kids loved the beach. They really only wanted to be at the pool. We tortured them every day and made them go to the beach (since it is a seven hour drive to get there and we belong to a pool at home). We went with our friends that we go with every year (except the year that we stayed with Aunt Carla, because Matt and Regan had recently had Salmonella). Our girls are similar in age and play really well together. The older ones (Kate and Regan) tolerated the sand, but really wanted nothing to do with the "ocean." I think they have both watched a little to much t.v., because they were both concerned about sharks. Regan went in a little, but only because she wanted to see the little minnows that you could see swimming by. I told her that if she continued to swim that she could eventually learn to scuba dive and she could really see ocean life. She informed me that she had no interest in that, because there are sharks out there. The younger ones (Avery and Addison) on the other hand had no use for the sand but didn't mind being in the "ocean." In fact, every day Addison had to be coaxed onto the sand. The whole way she would try to pull me toward the pool and say "I want to go to the pool, first!" After she was on the sand for a while she would get used to it and play a little bit. She would shovel sand (without actually sitting in the sand) into the bucket. She told us that the "sand was to sandy!"

Aunt Carla, Dick and Meredith came out for their annual babysitting gig, so that we can go out with our friends. Thanks again guys!