Crazy is the New Normal: Part three

Day five, Thursday

Edna, Jazzy, and Juju had plans to meet their friends at Schlitterbaun, Brandon, Candice, Debra, and Jason decided to do some things in town, and so we decided to go to the beach. Christiaan first took Mom and Carter to look for some shells at the end of the pass, which was not too far down the road. After they returned and Delaney woke up from her nap, we went to the beach. Except when we pulled in there were all kinds of emergency vehicles and personnel walking around. Eventually we got out and Mom asked one of the EMT's if it was ok to be there, as in did we need to watch for a body to wash ashore or something, and he assured her that they had a man in distress but everything was fine. So we set up camp using the new beach tent that we had purchased. Let me tell you, that thing was well worth the $20!! I would have paid much more for it! Delaney took a nice nap in the shade.

By the time we had enough beach for the day, everyone else was making their way back, so I took Carter with all the kids to the pool. Christiaan and the guys took the boat out until dark, and we all got cleaned up and waited for him to get back. As soon as he did, we jumped into the truck and flew into town to check out Pleasure Pier at night. This was another must-do on my list for the week, since it wasn't open the last trip there! The kids were exhausted and we forgot the stroller, but it was a neat and quick experience. It kinda stinks that you have to pay $10 a person just to walk on the pier, plus pay per ride, so I don't know that we will do it again until the kids are big enough to do more rides. Carter only wanted to ride a truck ride that just went in circles, and for some stupid reason he wasn't tall enough to ride alone. Even though it was essentially stationary, you had to be 42 in for it, yet only had to be 36 in. to drive the mini bumper cars or do a ride that physically went up into the air. Whatever. So, guess who got to ride with him....Momma of course!

I'd like to take a moment to make a PSA.....while at the beach, I generally don't wear make up, and my hair is uncontrollable in most forms, therefore looking like I have been electrocuted. So please excuse my appearance in many of these pictures.

Off the bed. Again.

Elan wanted to play Connect Four too

Elan was practicing photography

Like father, like son!!

"Sumscreem" is always a huge battle. Especially when it comes to his face. So, that morning I said, fine, do it yourself!! Except umm, not quite.

Walking to find shells

Looked like a crime scene at the beach

She thought she was big stuff sitting in Brother's seat!

Shaking it

Borrowing GranPam's chair

The water truly is her happy place!

Mom again

Naptime! Luckily the sound machine choice we use is the ocean, so it was easy for her to crash

While she napped, GranPam and Carter hunted for treasure. After digging up some bottle caps, Christiaan buried some pennies when Carter wasn't looking for them to find. It totally made his day!

And his buried treasure. Four bottle caps and four pennies.

Pleasure Pier at night from the sea wall

Naturally, he wanted cotton candy. He kept saying "hot'n candy is my favwite!"

Day six, Friday

Despite getting in late the night before, Christiaan got up early with his brothers and headed out to fish. He was actually somewhat successful this time though! We found out from a few locals that fishing had been slow the last few weeks. Bummer, since we caught so much last trip! While the guys were fishing, Candice and I took the boys to the beach. Debra and Jazzy met us there after going looking for shells. We noticed a couple dead jellyfish washed up and buried them, then Juju got stung on his wrist a little bit. We couldn't convince him to pee on it to make it better. HA!! Then Candice got stung on the back of her leg, and when Elan suddenly began to cry and hold his toe, we assumed it was yet another jellyfish and decided we were done with the beach. Bummer, since it was the last opportunity to swim! The guys came back soon after we did, and after eating lunch and cleaning up Christiaan and mom and I decided to go into town to take Carter to make a Build A Bear at the Rainforest Café. He chose to make a frog which he named Ribbit. Creative. Mom took him on the little water ride they have, which he LOVED!!

After a quick trip to Murdoch's to finish up our souvenir shopping, we met the rest of the group at Tortuga for dinner. The food was delicious! I had stuffed avocado, with veggies, fish, and shrimp on top of it. The kids were bonkers though, like as in they both screamed and were crazy people. Thank God that we(as in me and Candice) had already decided that all of us women deserved a girls night out! After dropping all the kids and men back at the house, me, Candice, Kristi, and Debra went to a place down the way called Woody's. Mom opted to stay back, and Edna, ahem, over imbibed a bit too much before we left, so she stayed back too. The place was really cool, right over the water, but was dead for a Friday night! Guess its not the busy night. It was so nice though to get to hang out with just them. I am still the newbie in the family, so I got to hear a lot of stories and stuff from them that my quiet husband has never talked about. I am so lucky to have in-laws that I love to be around! We will have to make sure we get a girls night on every trip now!

The boys

Double trouble! We joked that it was good that we live four hours apart, because if these two spent much time together, they'd be up to no good!!

Meanwhile on the fishing boat....yes that would be SHARK that my hubby caught!! He caught two actually, he says they are bonnet head sharks.

AND he caught this nasty looking sting ray! EW!! Look at how veiny it is!!! He caught a couple of fish that were big enough to eat, which he promptly cleaned and fried for lunch.