Topsail Island 2018

It was such a pleasure to return to the beach where many memories were born with our family. We. found a place that reasonably fit our family's needs with three cabins. Above are Sierra, Bonny and Norma posing by the front of Simple Serenity, the property in which we spent the week.

Here's Madelyn, being the amazing boogie boarder she is at only 16 months old! As you can see in the picture above, she was fearless and would have gladly gone out on her own! She was just that brave.

However, we didn't let her go out on her own. Here you can see Sierra and Kirsten joining her in the fun.

Topsail Island is the best. It has everything--good waves, sea shells, fossilized shark teeth. Topsail can give one the feel of being in nature, yet if one craves more noise, shopping and activity (like awesome crabbing!), it's not far away. I, personally, try to avoid getting in a car for just the one week at the beach! Above is a picture of Brian, Norma and Roland out on a shark tooth hunting expedition.

Here's Sierra on our first day at the beach. She was so good to her Nana. Every time she went out to the beach, she invited me to come along and would wait patiently for me to do all the stuff a Nana feels she needs to do before she can come out. I know I had more fun because of her presence! Thank you, Sierra!

Emily, Sierra and I went on a walk together. The photo above was taken under the pier, which was just a short walk away. Sierra was the photographer!

What do you think Sierra and Emily are visitin' about in this picture?  Maybe they're just talkin' about whose gonna get the best tan this week! Put your crazy and creative minds to work and let me know what you think they might be chatting about.

Here's Owen, Reagan and Madelyn. See how Madelyn is eyeing Reagan's ice cream cone??

No problem! Reagan lovingly and generously shared her cone with her little sister! So glad I got to witness this event. It was so tender! A lick for Madelyn, a lick for Reagan. A bite for Madelyn, a bite for Reagan. I need to give artistic credit to Sierra for the two pictures above.

My photographer, Sierra, also took this shot of Madelyn and Reagan with their Aunt Bonny. It's good to get reacquainted with family. Especially when we can't see them very often! Bonny and Madelynn met for the first time at this beach trip!

We spent the evenings gazing at the stars and enjoying the breezes on our deck by the ocean. Oh, you just gotta let the night's salty breeze wash over you!

Sierra also caught this shot of Madelyn trying on her Uncle Brian's slippers. I think it has a real artistic quality to it. If one has to try on an adult's shoe, let it be a beach slipper! It's the life!

Aunt Whitney caught this picture with five of the cousins playing on the hammock together. That hammock provided some happy moments.

And Aunt Bonny caught four of the cousins playing on the top bunk bed. All grins and fun!

Aunt Bonny also shared this picture of Nana enjoying some beach time with Madelyn.

And here Naomi and I are together re-enacting a moment that Naomi and I had together when Naomi was about Madelyn's age! I think Naomi thought it a strange request, but she was quick to oblige her Nana. I love this girl! I need to upload the picture taken then and place it beside this one for full effect.

We had a wonderful time at the beach with our family. I encourage all of you who were present to comment your memories of the week. And feel free to attach pictures!