Pickin' and Grinnin'

If there's one food our fam can all agree on as the fave, it's blueberries (with crunchy tacos a close second but apparently tacos don't grow on trees). We heard about a blueberry farm not too far out of town, so we trekked it out there to see what it was all about. 

And it was perfect. 

First on the list when we move into a new home: plant these puppies so we can save some moolah in the teenage years. "Kids, we don't have enough money for taco night so head on outside and feast on blueberries for dinner."

Note there is narry a berry in that bucket.

Or in that one.

Or that.

But Rule Follower put them in the bucket where they belonged. She would.

All smiles after depleting the farm of pounds of berries.

This loot should last us a day or so.

Swim Lessons

Swim lessons could not have worked out any more perfectly than they did this year. We were able to find back to back classes for the babies and the big kids first thing in the morning (yep, 2 weeks of arriving at the pool before 8am - whew!). They all had fantastic teachers and are eons farther in their swimming skills than they were without the lessons.

The babies did lots of warming up before the swim time began to make all the little people feel more comfortable in the big big sea.

Ring around the rose-y, pocket full of posey...

Mastering the star fish...

These kiddos can now float all by themselves!

The best part of swimming in a pool just mere steps from the ocean...CRABS EVERYWHERE!

She must have learned that form from me and my former synchronized swimming career.

The big kids getting ready for their lesson...

Big Sis perfected the back stroke (and I can say mine has gotten better too just from swim lessons by osmosis!)...

And they always ended their lesson with a flight across the sky. A few more feet and Buster could have made it to the lighthouse!

Little Miss No Risk Taker didn't so much enjoy this part, but it was the highlight of my day seeing her face in the midst!

St. Augustine

The 29th annual family vacation was quite the success. No broken bones this year which makes a HUGE difference in how one views the enjoyment of said vacation. We had scheduled dinners and cookouts with the big family (50 of us!), hard decisions of whether to spend our time at the beach or at the pool, and lots of relax time before the work/school/sports schedule takes us for a spin.

Many of the great-grandkids are pictured here. Others came and went on different days. This massive week-long playdate was just what they needed! If only I could entertain them as well when we're at home {sigh}.

Last year, it took the entire 7 days to get Wild Man warmed up to being around people and water and, well, life in general. This year, he was full speed from day one!

Tiny Miss had her Dora floatie attached to her at all times, even mastering some spinning and flipping moves within it.

CANNONBALL!!!!

The Backstroke Girl doing what she does best...all day...every length of the pool...

Even Wild Men get tuckered out every now and again...

We had a family date on our last night and went out to eat at our favorite local spot, Mango Mango's, followed by a walk on the beach under the light of the moon.

The babies threw walking to the wind and ran in circles over and over and over again. I should try this maneuver in the backyard each night. Makes for a good, solid sleep.

Saw this boy on the beach and I asked him out. He said yes. Score!

Them crazy hooligans. They make vacations exhausting and life entertaining. Wouldn't trade it!