Our first trip of the year!!

A group of people standing together on a sunny beach with waves and ocean in the background.

If you've ever considered buying experiences instead of gifts for the holidays, here's your sign to DO IT!! The past couple of years, my parents have gifted us with a family trip to the beach and it's been amazing! I'm so glad that we got to spend the week in an amazing location, all together!

A figure in red shorts and gray t-shirt stands alone on sandy beach dunes against an overcast sky and ocean.
A figure stands barefoot on sandy beach dunes overlooking the ocean on a cloudy day.
A young child wearing a gray shirt and red shorts walks barefoot on a sandy beach.
A small figure in red and white kneels on a vast expansive sandy beach.
Small figure in red swim shorts jumps with arms raised on misty beach as ocean waves roll in during overcast day.
Small child wearing red swim shorts plays along the shoreline of a misty beach with waves crashing in the background.
A person in red shorts stands at the edge of the ocean as waves roll in on a misty beach.
Figure in red swim shorts stands alone on beach watching rough ocean waves at shore's edge.
Child in red shorts runs playfully along a misty beach shore as waves roll in.
Child in red swim shorts playing at the edge of ocean waves on a sandy beach in muted tones.
Small child running through shallow waves at the beach wearing red shorts and gray top.
A person wearing red shorts stands at the edge of the ocean waves on a sandy beach.
A small child wearing red shorts plays in the ocean waves at the beach on a sunny day.
Small child in red swim shorts plays in the foamy ocean waves at the beach on a sunny day.
A lifeguard in red uniform runs into the ocean surf with a flotation rescue buoy.
A small figure in red shorts plays in gentle ocean waves on a cloudy day at the beach.
A child in red swim shorts plays in the ocean waves at the beach's edge while enjoying a sunny day.
A young child splashes joyfully in the shallow ocean waves wearing red swim shorts.
A child in red shorts plays joyfully on a sandy beach while waves crash on the shore in the background.
A person in red swim trunks runs along a sandy beach as ocean waves roll in on an overcast day.
A carefree figure in red shorts jumps joyfully along a sandy beach with waves crashing in the background.
A small figure runs joyfully along the shoreline of a beach as waves crash on a cloudy day.
Young child in red shorts and gray shirt running joyfully along the beach shore as waves crash nearby.
A playful beachgoer leaps near the surf on a sandy shoreline during an overcast day.
Young figure in red shorts and gray shirt stands at the edge of ocean waves on a sandy beach.
A young child wearing red swim shorts runs joyfully along the beach as ocean waves roll onto the shore.
Someone wearing a gray shirt and red shorts stands at the edge of ocean waves on a sandy beach as white surf rolls in.
Young boy in red swim trunks plays and dances at the edge of the ocean waves on a sandy beach.
A small child in red swim trunks and grey t-shirt jumps and plays in the ocean waves at the beach.
A child in red shorts and gray shirt plays at the edge of ocean waves on a sandy beach in warm vintage tones.

My First Full Family Photo


Colt is being Colt, but I'm still so happy that I finally have a photo that includes all three of my kids, my bonus daughter, and my grandson!

A family group stands together on a pristine white sand beach with turquoise ocean waves and cloudy sky in the background.
Moody seascape with foamy waves rolling onto sandy beach under cloudy green-tinted sky.
Moody seascape with crashing waves under overcast skies in a desaturated green tone.
Ocean waves crash against the shore under moody green-tinted skies with overcast clouds creating a dramatic seascape.

It was Daniel's first time seeing the ocean, but he seemed mostly unimpressed. Hopefully next year he's ready to run right out into the waves! It was Nathan's first time actually enjoying the ocean. He first saw it at 2, where he said the water was "mean," and then again 10 years ago when he decided his feelings hadn't changed much.

Someone in a gray t-shirt and brown pants splashes through ocean waves on a moody, overcast beach.
Someone in a gray t-shirt and brown cargo shorts runs along the shoreline on a cloudy beach day.
Person wearing dark clothing stands in shallow ocean waves looking out at the water on a cloudy day.
Person stands ankle-deep in choppy ocean waters while wearing casual dark clothing on an overcast beach.
Someone wearing dark clothing stands at the edge of the ocean waves on a sandy beach holding a small child.
Two people stand together in the surf at the beach on an overcast day as gentle waves roll in.
Two people walking barefoot along a misty beach shoreline on an overcast day at the ocean.
A couple stands together in shallow ocean waves on an overcast beach day.
Family enjoying a moment together in the surf at the beach on a cloudy afternoon.

Proposal


I am very excited to announce that my Sonshine decided to make it "official" and proposed to Ryann!! We're so excited to be adding her to the family whenever they set the date!

A tender moment between parent and child sharing affection on a sunny beach with ocean waves in the background.
Three people standing together on a sunny beach with white sand and turquoise ocean waves in the background.
A couple stands on a sandy beach at sunset as one kneels down by the ocean waves.
A couple shares a joyful moment together while walking along a sandy beach at sunset with ocean waves in the background.
A romantic beachside proposal scene with waves crashing in the background at sunset.
Two people enjoy a casual stroll along the beach at sunset as waves lap at their feet.
A couple shares an intimate moment while standing on a beach with ocean waves and sunset in the background.
Romantic couple sharing a tender kiss while holding hands, with a visible arm tattoo in warm sunset lighting.
An elegant diamond engagement ring rests atop a textured gold ribbed surface against a sandy beige background.

Wes, Sarah, & Phi


We were happy to have Sarah along with us this trip, too! Wes has the cutest little family! Colt was happy to have his Sophia to play in the waves and the sand with. The two of them always have the best time together when they aren't arguing.

A family stands together on a sunny beach with turquoise ocean waves in the background.
Three people walking together barefoot along a sunny beach shoreline with ocean waves and reflective wet sand.
Three people stroll together along a sunny beach shoreline holding hands while waves roll in.
Family holding hands while strolling on wet sand along a serene beach during golden hour.
A person wearing blue bends down to touch the shallow calm ocean water at the beach.
A family walks together on a sunny beach shoreline, holding hands and splashing in the gentle surf.
Person bending down to touch shallow water at the beach during golden hour casting long shadow on wet sand.
Child playing at the beach wearing yellow shirt and blue shorts, feeling the ocean waves on a sunny day.
Young child in yellow shirt and blue shorts playing at the beach edge while an adult stands nearby at sunset.
Small child in summer clothes splashing and playing in the shallow ocean waves at the beach.
Young child in yellow shirt and blue shorts plays on sandy beach at sunset casting long shadow near ocean waves.
Child plays and dances on sandy beach at sunset with ocean waves in background.
A small child in shorts and t-shirt walking along the beach shoreline with waves rolling in behind.
A small figure in light clothing stands at the water's edge on a beach with turquoise waves rolling in.
Small child wearing pigtails and a diaper plays in gentle ocean waves on a sunny beach beneath a clear blue sky.
Person in a beige outfit standing at the edge of ocean waves on a sandy beach during a sunny day.
A young child in a turquoise shirt wades through ocean waves on a sunny day at the beach.
A figure wearing a turquoise shirt plays in the ocean waves on a sunny day.
A child in a turquoise shirt plays in the rolling waves at the beach on an overcast day.
A child in a turquoise shirt jumps through incoming waves at the beach on a sunny day.
A young child plays in the ocean waves wearing a turquoise shirt on a sunny day.
Someone in a turquoise shirt stands in shallow ocean waves on a sunny beach as foamy water swirls around them.
A small child in a turquoise shirt stands in the ocean waves at the beach on a sunny day.
Someone in a turquoise shirt and dark shorts splashes in the foamy ocean waves on a sunny beach day.
Person in teal shirt playing in ocean waves on a sandy beach during sunset.
Someone wearing a blue shirt splashes through ocean waves on a sunny beach day.
Someone wearing a turquoise shirt splashes in ocean waves on a sunny beach.
A person in a light blue shirt plays in the ocean waves on a cloudy day along the shore.
Two people enjoying a beach day while walking along the water's edge with waves crashing in the background.
Two people playing and dancing together in the shallow ocean waves along a sandy beach at sunset.
Two people playing in gentle ocean waves at the beach on a sunny day.

Expect the Unexpected while Traveling...


We did have a great time, but there's nothing worse than being sick in your favorite place in the world and that's what happened to me. On day 2, I started feeling unwell and spend the entire middle part of the trip mostly in bed. Colt spiked a fever the last day and Nick felt bad throughout the ride home so we decided to plan a trip back later this summer! I can't wait to share more pictures from our travels this year!