Every summer we take an annual beach trip with each side of our family to spend time away from the norm.  There is nothing better than a semi circle of lawn chairs and the sound of waves in between the conversations, even with all the sunscreen applications and sandy snacks:)  Here are some of my favorites photos from this summer…

This summer my family took a day trip to the lake with all the grandkids.  We had so much fun riding the boat around the lake I grew up on and the kids loved stopping and swimming every chance they got!  We pulled a tube and even little Madeleine held on:)  We spent the night all together and ended the day with a camp fire and smores.  Thanks mom and dad!

Joe and I packed the truck and woke the kids up early to go down for a day at the beach, just us.  I love road trips with Joe because its such a great opportunity to just sit and talk, which is hard to find in our crazy busyness these days.  The kids both loved the water and the sand and the fact that they got unlimited snacks and lemonade:)  We played all day and then, thanks to the lifeguard recommendation, showered in the Holiday Inn outdoor shower which unfortunately was right next to their bar and cabana party. Who doesn’t love a little white baby tush?  I think it was a good day, the kids fell asleep before we were out of the parking lot!

Madeleine thinks all planes fly to Colorado and in May we flew there again for Eli’s graduation from the Augustine Institute where she earned her Masters in Theology.  It was a long weekend trip complete with hiking, mini vans, dinner at the Presidents house, luggage cart rides, Rocky Mountain National Park, hotel pool, graduation and lots of eating out.  Here are some pictures from our little family vacation…