"Do we really have to leave so soon?"
Molly and I took Mary Grace down to Charleston this past week to celebrate the Fourth of July (Grandpa Iauco's birthday), visit with the Iauco side of the family and let Mary Grace have her first tangible experience at the beach. We had taken her out to Sullivan's Island a few times prior, but she never actually had a chance to play in the ocean or spend time on the beach. This time she got to do both, and from the looks of it, we have a little beach bum on our hands.
We packed up the car and drove to Winston-Salem the evening before the Fourth, mainly to split up the trip and get to Charleston a little earlier on the Fourth so that we could party with the birthday boy and get some quality time at the beach before the fireworks. Everything worked out well, and we made it down in good time despite the horrendous traffic on both legs of the trip.
While in Charleston, we relaxed and had a wonderful time. It was so ridiculously nice to be out of the office for ten days, I almost didn't want to come back to work...
We ended up stopping in Winston-Salem on the way back to Washington as well, which worked out well because Mary Grace got to visit with Geegee and her Great-Grandfather Ken.
A few things that we learned from the trip:
- Mary Grace loves dogs. She would not leave Maris alone the entire time we were there. She would cackle every time Maris was anywhere near her.
- Mary Grace loves the water. She was like a little fish, kicking her legs and trying to swim away every time she hit the water. She even put her head all the way under when we were in the ocean. It startled her a little, but she ended up laughing it off.
- Mary Grace gets really tan.
Ready to party in her Fourth of July outfit!
Stopping at the Chick-fil-A to stretch our legs.
Singing "Happy Birthday" to Grandpa.
James and Owen at the "Big Boy Table."
Hanging out with Great-Grandpa Jim.
Getting sleepy on Great-Grandma Jackie's lap.
Saying goodnight to Maris, Mary Grace's new best friend.
Owning the baby pool.
Owen means business in the pool.
James trying to sneak into the deep end.
"So this is the beach..."
First day on the beach with Mommy.
Aunt Lanie, Aunt Johanna and James.
Getting used to the waves.
Trying to escape.
Family picture on the beach.
Taking her a little deeper.
Waiting for a wave.
Here it comes!
She loved the waves.
Splashing in the tide.
Digging for shells.
Loving every minute of it.
Watching the action with Aunt Jo.
Hanging out with "Aunt" Libby.
Punching "Aunt" Libby in the eye.
Laughing it up with Aunt Jo.
Resting after a long day on the beach.
Playing with Daddy.
Eating lunch on the beach.
Showing off her tan.
Swimming with Daddy.
Swimming with Mommy.
Looking cute on the last day at the beach.
I also figured that I should upload some video from the trip, but I will warn you that you're going to have to forgive me for my over-editing. I was always a total sucker for those Wonder Years montages with the classic music at the end of some of the more emotional episodes, so I kind of made this in the same vein.
