Day four was "Christmas"! We had decided to save our annual Christmas breakfast and gift exchange for our vacation. I'm so glad we did! It was amazing being together again.
We were up betimes that morning. Before starting breakfast, we headed to the beach. It was incredibly beautiful in the morning!
The boys claimed the couches in the third floor living area as their bedroom. They made a rule that no one but the cooks were allowed up there before 8:30! Nobody really obeyed them. 😙
This is from the lookout tower on the boardwalk.
We were warned not to walk in the dunes as the rattle snakes were still out. 😵 Don't worry, I'll stay on the designated path!
This poor shrimp got washed ashore. We were all standing around it, trying to decided if it was alive, when it flipped about a foot up into the air! We screamed and went running. 😄 After that, every time it flipped, we all screamed. It was so gross! KK tried to flick him back into the water, but he didn't seem too enthusiastic about going back into the ocean. I think it was dying and didn't want to be saved. Oh, well.
These little boiling sand spots are clams. They would get washed up, then burrow down into the sand. Everyone tried and tried to dig them up, but no one could dig fast enough.
This sea centipede also washed up. As we stood around gazing in disgust at it, Dad was telling us not to touch it as it's quite poisonous. After we bored of watching it, we arranged Mom and Dad for a picture. As Dad was moving around, he stepped right on the centipede. We all yelled at once to "watch out!" You should've seen the funny dance Dad did! It was hysterical!
We consumed so much coffee!
Making breakfast...
So happy to be together again!
I made a sign up sheet for the cooking, cleaning and entertainment. It worked very well!
The poor pancakes went flat for some reason...
Uncle NayNay had to make up for lost time.
Precious girl
There's cuteness for ya!
I wonder who snuck a picture during the prayer?!
We wanted plenty of bacon... We had plenty!
Dad and the boys brought the outdoor table in from the balcony. That way we could all sit down at a table to eat.
After devotions, we doled the gifts out. We had decided to do a grab bag again. Everyone contributed a gift, then we numbered them. Everyone drew a number and took the gift that matched their number. It's always so funny to see who gets what!
KK couldn't see what was going on so he stood on a stool. 😊
Nate and Gin had the biggest pile since they had to open other gifts as well.
Ryan and Kelsey's Christmas gift to Nate and Gin was so creative!
Nate and Gin gave the game Bounce Off as their grab bag gift. I don't remember who got it, but the game provided a lot of fun!
Alaina kept crawling up onto the bottom shelf of these end tables, then slipping off into the crack between the table and the couch. Once there, she couldn't get out. It was so cute!
Later that afternoon, we girls decided to go shopping. Our first stop was at the local coffee shop, Coffee Waves. They have a huge coffee menu along with a wide selection of gelato flavors. The gelato looked incredibly yummy!
I got their Chai Train, chai tea mix blended into a frozen drink. It was scrumptious!
The one tourist shop had a huge shark out front. It was hollow all the way through. I felt sort of like Jonah as we traipsed through the belly of the shark.
The Islander was our favorite store. It had the best atmosphere, the best prices, and the best quality products.
Fire It! ceramic store had unfired ceramics for sale. The price for each piece included the piece, the paint and firing it. Ryan and Kelsey painted a picture frame together. It turned out really nice!
Sisters never grow old!
Mom, Dad and Grace planned a mystery meal supper for all of us.
The menu was way too large, but it was fun!
Dad and Grace came up with some very clever names!
Brie and I had nothing to eat our chocolate ice cream with, so we drank it. 😏
When all else fails... use your hands!
Brie had to use a toothpick to eat her spaghetti!
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