Southwold Pier

In Florida we frequented the beaches. When we lived in Pcola and Destin we lived right across the street from the beach so trips were a regular occurrence. When we moved to Crestview last year we still made it a point to drive the 30 or so minutes to the beach regularly. And now that we're here in England...well, it's a bit further of a drive to the coast (about an hour and a half). And I was warned that  the beaches weren't going to be what we were used to, but we trekked up to Southwold Pier anyway not knowing what to expect.

Let me just say the British are crazy. Not really, but come on, they were swimming. SWIMMING! In the water. It must've been in the 60's and they were full on in the water in their little speedos and bikinis. No thank you.

Our crew simply played the sand. Samantha traumatized a young child. And Ari and I ate fish and chips for the first time.

I must say, Sam did well for her first trip to the shore. Water isn't her forte. And she didn't seem to notice the sand. So she was kinda like....uh, why are we here?

We got asked if we were on holiday (we are asked that at least once a week), everyone assumes we don't live here since we sound like "yankees" as they say. They think all Americans are yankees. Try explaining to a Brit that they are using that term incorrectly and they won't understand. They'll think you're the one that doesn't know what it means. You'll want to shake them. They want to hit you. But you'll just end up waving to each other and all will be well. Seriously, you can just raise a hand in the air (palm out) here and all your sins have gone away. They will love you again.

The kids made sand castles. The boys got bored with theirs and destroyed it before I could take a picture. Ari took great pride in hers.

I didn't take many photos but the ones I did take contained a few feet images. I don't know what it is but I have a thing for little baby feet and the feet of my kiddos in photos. But don't you worry yourself, I'm not one of those maniacal feet-loving people you watch on My Awkward Obsession. That's a real show, google it. No. Not it's not. Don't google it.

Ana and I perused the shops. The boys knocked on the window attempting to lure us out. #Classy. Owen requested I take a photo of a clock he liked. Sam pooped on the footpath. As she walked. #DaGirls'GotSkillz #awkwardTurtle. And I requested a photo of my crew in front of one of the cute little beach sheds. The usual.

It was a good, good, day.

Da Pond

Do ya'll get it? ..."Da Beaaaars"?! No? Hmm, it sounded good in my head. So. When the sister-in-law and nephew were here we took the munchkins to the pond. When I was in college Owen and I would often go to the duck pond on campus often - he loved it, we'd eat lunch, lay in the grass, climb the rocks, and feed the ducks. Good times. I need to dig out some old pics to reminisce - maybe a weekend project?

Lunch, laying the grass, and climbing rocks didn't happen on our most recent trip. But we did feed ducks, get flowers bestowed upon us, and had some good simple family time. I'll let the photos do the talkin'...

I've gotta say, I have a good lookin' family. And we're all dorks that don't take ourselves too seriously (at least not most of the time). Oh, and on this trip I got bit by a fire ant on my toe and my whole foot swelled up like something out of Monsters Inside Me. Uuuuggghhh - I shudder just thinking about it. It was worth it for the memories though. Here's to taking one for the team, on the regular ;)

'day mates!

Lor