One direction....WAIT...U-turn....

TO THE BEACH!!!!

But, I can't just start the story there. Let me give you a sweet backdrop...

Since Monday, I inherited the other 2 children from Cory and Cassie's family. And my house is SMALL! So, 6 kids in my townhouse is quite the crowd! I NEED to get out and let these kids PLAY! And I love to go places and play!

So, we were off to Celebration, FL to walk the town and play in the splash area there. But, before we got too far down the road, I looked to Morgan in the front seat next to me (she's getting too old, by the way), and whispered, "I want to go to the beach, what about you?" She had the look that any normal person would have toward my crazy comment and said, "are you serious?" So, I called my husband for permission then made a U-turn at the next light, headed back to my house to grab a few beach toys, snacks, and blankets and then headed off to DAYTONA! I am a wild woman!

THE STORY GETS BETTER!

We arrived to the beach just after picking up some Happy Meals at McD's and began lathering the sunscreen on. Then Avery needed a rubber band to put her hair up and out of her face. I tried to pull a hairpiece out of a tight fitting tube that it was in but had no luck. So I grabbed my key to try and pull out the culprit that was giving me fits. AND THEN IT HAPPENED...

MY VAN KEY BROKE IN HALF!!!! HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

My key has been giving me trouble for awhile when trying to open van doors and start the car. Believe me, it wasn't much force used to break the stinkin' thing! I was just as shocked as you might be. Now WHAT?

Well, I decided that since we were at the beach, we would deal with it later (after the kids got to play for a bit)! Play first, right?! I did call Jarrett and had a couple of ideas going but nothing concrete except for Jarrett leaving work and heading to Daytona with a spare key.

I did call my friend Jessica to tell her I might not make it for our dinner that we had planned together with the kids. Once I told her the reason, she said, "hey the beach sounds like fun!" After she convinced me that she really did want to come to beach and play, and not just do a huge GOOD DEED, I was excited at the idea and gave her Jarrett's phone number to meet up with him to get a spare key!

I now have a friend to join me in a few hours and will have a key to start my car!

So, finally, here are the beach pictures:

My little cutie with her new bangs! Her hair just will NOT stay out of her face.

(she wasn't featured too much in the last post, so I have to make up for it)!

Profile Shot

Our spot on the beach!

Great picture of those kids, Cassie!


Morgan and Annalise were off getting water for their man made pool!

Avery and Jordan

The girls loved playing in the surf!

The waves were great!

Another cute one! Morgan was in the mood for pictures again. What has gotten into her?

After a few hours Jessica arrived with her kids!

Joshua loved his FIRST beach trip and loved the taste of sand!


What beach trip is complete without B&W photography?

LOVE IT!!!

I guess that's what you get with a potty trained child that doesn't have a diaper to fill in the extra space.

Ready to jump the next wave!

Strike a pose!

Cool Picture!

Abby helping her brother!

Allison loved the water!
A postcard picture!!! Avery will do gymnastics anywhere!

A picture of our kids LOVING the beach!

Cassie HATES the beach and I LOVE it! Besides the key episode which actually turned out successful (THANKS SO MUCH JESS), we had a BLAST! I can't wait to kidnap these kids this summer for more trips to the beach!

I will definitely check the stability of my key before heading out next time!

Avery, have your rubber band in your hair before leaving!