At the end of July we took a short family vacation to Pacific Beach. We stayed at the military resort. They call it a resort. I'm not sure that's the word I would choose (resort makes me think of words like fancy, gourmet, high class), but there were plenty of nice things about the place. Really, it was more our style than a "resort" would be anyway!
Here is a picture of the ocean and some neighboring vacation homes from the window of our place. I know, it's pretty grey, but that's usually how the Pacific Northwest beaches are.
A picture of the main living space of our vacation home. Yes, our vacation home was bigger than our actual home. It was clean and very well maintained. The girls loved having their own room, the boys loved having their own room, Brad and I loved having our own room, and Emma had no opinion on her own room.
Near our home there was a nice playground. The kids headed down there almost as soon as we'd unloaded the truck. Emma and I soon followed.
Then we went to the beach. Emma wasn't too thrilled about the wind blowing sand in her eyes.
Aaron really enjoyed sitting and digging. The sand was sooooo amazing! Super soft and fine. It was a really clean beach too without much seaweed or other stuff to watch out for.
Chloe showing off her sand gloves.
Kyle just showing off.
Sarah and Chloe were crazy girls and actually got into the water. It was cold. I could barely stand to put my feet in it. They had fun trying to jump the waves though.
Emma still wasn't sure what to think of this whole beach thing.
Aaron liked burying his feet as the waves came in.
Kyle taking a turn flying the kite.
Aaron has a more laid-back approach to kite flying.
The girls enjoyed digging and building sand castles. Seeing them like this really reminded me of when they were little during our two TDYs to San Diego. They grow up so fast, but some things stay the same!
Emma and I tried for a scrunch picture. She was done with the beach by this point.
Day Two provided better results!
While Emma took a nap on Day Two, Brad took the kids to the main building for craft time. They came back with all sorts of projects that they'd made, plus a few kits for future craft building. They were spoiled big time! The plan had been for them to craft a little and then spend some time in the hot tub, but they ended up with so much stuff that they had to bring it all home and then go back for hot tub time.
I even got in on the sand castle fun.
I buried Kyle's feet in the sand. Aaron thought it was great that he was now as tall as Kyle!
Then we buried Aaron and it was Kyle's turn to feel BIG!
Sarah wanted in on that action as well. We got her in up to her knees.
Then all four kids were buried!
Brad and Emma got in the frame. I was trying to set up the camera and use the timer for a family shot and I just could not get it right. That's what I get for never having read the owner's manual! Emma was losing patience pretty quickly.
Brad figured it out and we got a nice family picture. Emma is crying her head off, but that just makes it all the more authentic, right?
We had a great time there and would definitely go back again!
