TI 2014

The view from our porch

View from our back porch.

Our annual beach trip was highly anticipated this year! Between David working so much, studying for the SC bar, and bishopric duties he was definitely ready for a break. 

Plus we were really excited to have cousin Gabi and her family join us all the way from Utah! Yay! 

Having another child for Finley to play with at the beach was glorious! They entertained each other the entire week and never got into any fights.

The Nani enjoying her view from the house

We were lucky to have such great sunny weather every day. Only one really windy day kept us off the beach and out of the water. 

My dad even got in the water on two different occasions! And my mom enjoyed a good dip in the ocean too!

Last year when we went to the beach with our friends the Sherwoods, they had these huge inter tubes to play in. We made sure to grab some on our way to the beach. 

They were a huge hit again! Fin and Gabi would sit in them, wait for the waves to come in, spin them around, and drag them back out to sea.

It was a fun ride!

These cuties look like siblings!

Grammie and Abuelo enjoyed long walks to the pier and back every day. 

While Tami and David enjoyed competing in all sorts of beach games. 

We brought a corn hole game that David got for his birthday to the beach. Between corn hole and bocce ball there was lots of trash talking going on :).

 On Tuesday my mom, dad, Uncle Michael and I drove down to Charleston to see my sister Michelle perform at the Spoleto Festival. Donovan is working for her too so we got to see him in action (and playing piano a bit) too. It was an amazing show! We are so excited for her! I also got to have dinner and visit with my bestie Beth and her husband Sean while we were down there. We stayed for just a night and headed back to TI on Wed morning!

Wednesday morning Greg also arrived! Everyone was now at the beach expect for Michelle and Donovan :(. But I guess having your company booked for a week long show at Spoleto is a good reason to miss our annual family beach trip. But you better not do it again poopies!

As the week wore on Finley got braver and braver in the water. 

By the end of the week he was using the boogie board to 'surf' and also 'body surfing' (in his life jacket). 

Grammie and Mimi enjoyed playing lots of games with us. 

My poor mom still had to wear her patch, but I am happy to report she now has a new prosthetic eye lens in! Yipee!

Here is the whole gang!

I sure do love my family. 

On the cooler days we spent time making this massive sand castle. 

Complete with a dribble castle on top. 

The finished product. 

Of course it couldn't last forever. 

Once the high tide rolled in, most of it was washed away. 

Harris/Bean families

Dorrance Family

Our little family :)

The Bean Family

Cousins

At one point during the week my dad asked Gabi if she and Finley were good friends. She responded with, "We're not friends, were cousins!". Cousins > Friends. 

I can't believe our vacation has come and gone! We had such a lovely time. Now it is time for all kinds of camps, day trips, and hanging out by the pool. This was the perfect kick-off to summer. Summer has only begun!