The Cains: Toes in water, Hinies in the sand!

Our long-awaited trip to the beach finally arrived! We'd be counting down the days for months and getting more and more excited as the days got closer. Finally Saturday morning arrived and we were beach-bound as soon as we could get packed up and headed south.

We spent the week with our very, dear, terrific, fantastic, wonderful and adventurous friends - the Liles! Hill and Catherine Ellis are best buds and Pailet and Caroline became fast friends (as friendly as two-year olds can be! ha!). They used to live in sweet home Alabama, but moved to Virginia last year and we've missed them SO. It was a wonderful week that started off with Tropical Storm Andrea - rip tides, big waves and lots of rain, but only lasted a day and a half and the sun came out and the rest of our time was gorgeous.

Catherine Ellis and Caroline LOVE the water - they are like little fish - ready at a moment's notice to hit the beach, pool, wherever water can be found. Caroline was old enough to really enjoy the water this time (we went in September and she still too small to grasp waves, etc.) and Catherine Ellis turned into a swimming machine (with her floaties). Hill was determined he was going to learn how to swim this week as well - so David had his hands full. Pailet was indifferent - she seemed to enjoy the pool, but the ocean had to grow on her.

This was the first time I had been able to spend a lot of quality time with Pailet (you'll remember she's my gorgeous god-daughter). I really enjoyed getting to know her and her spunky little self. She's delightful, calm and plays well alone (something I wish she'd teach my children to do!). She's also got a squeal that will light a fire under you - and when she uses it, just know she means business. We bonded and she even let me bathe her (something she doesn't enjoy) several times! She's adorable that one! Don't you agree?

I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking - just know that it was wonderful. I hope we can do it every year and rest assured we learned some valuable lessons that we'll put into action for our next trip together (like kids grow tired of the beach (and each other!) after about 5 days and Daddy's are crucial to a successful trip with all the hauling of beach items, tent, throwing of kids in the air, jumping of waves, surfing and swimming). Thank you Liles for inviting us and helping us kick off the summer vacation style like we never have before. We love you!

WARNING: There are LOTS of pics here - cherishing memories!