With the girls secured in the back seat (no, really!), Kristi and I were off to the beach!!
Riley kept her company on the ride down.
We headed straight to the beach after arriving.
It was good to dig my toes into the sand.
It was time for the annual scopes picture.
The water was warm and clear.
Kristi took some time to just relax on the beach.
When at the beach…
…kids love to be buried in the sand.
I decided to shave off the beard while I was there, and this is me being a dork.
A shower beer after the shave.
Time to take Riley for a quick walk before we head out for the night.
We set out on our way to the boardwalk which is 7 blocks south.
The north end of the boardwalk, and we planned on walking the whole thing.
2 blocks down, many more to go.
We stopped along the way and got some pizza and Thrashers Fries.
This is the picture I sent Kelli, hiding the fact that I shaved.
Almost 4 hours later we reached the end of the boardwalk. It was about 2.9 miles (4.7K) total.
We took a $12 cab ride home and spent the rest of the night watching movies.
The next morning we all laid in bed for a little while and watched TV.
But soon it was time to head out for the day.
We decided to pack the car and head to Assateague Island.
4 wheel drive vehicles are required to drive on the beach.
We pulled in and found our spot to call home for the day.
There were lots of other cars on the beach.
Riley had it made in the shade.
Kristi, a second before getting clobbered by the wave in the picture.
There were more than a few horseshoe crabs on the beach.
The guy surfing was parked next to us, and his dog wanted to follow him.
Although she got too tired and had to come back.
If you ever get the chance to hang on the beach at Assateague, I recommend it. It’s a different crowd than at O.C.
Our neighbor finally caught a wave…
And his dog met him halfway on his swim into shore.
Getting ready for a group shot, and Kristi gives me her ta-da pose.
Our beach neighbors for the day.
And the family shot.
Loading the car to come home, and Riley couldn’t make up his mind where to sit.
Usually you can drive further down the beach, but it was closed off to protect the nesting season of a few birds.
So we turned around and headed for the exit.
Being as it is Assateague, we did see some wild horses.
By the time we got back, Diane and Mike had arrvied, so we stopped by their pool.
Ashley did her floating above water trick.
These two girls love swimming!!
Another picture I sent Kelli, concealing the fact that I had shaved.
For dinner we headed to Fish Tales…
…where the girls got their arms painted.
Not yet tired…
After being outside all day.
A great place to watch the sunset.
Well that’s it for the night; time to to head home.
While out walking Riley before bed, Ashley and I got some yogurt.
Making sure everyone brushes their teeth.
The next morning was a Monday, and I had to work, but Riley kept me company.
Home sweet home.
After work I saw that the wheel on my screen door was broken.
I figured if I switched the rubber gasket…
And put the perfectly good top wheel on the bottom…
The screen would slide very easily again.
After all that work, it was time for another shower beer.
Ready to head out for the night.
Sophia showing off her makeup.
Tonight’s dinner was at BJ’s.
Another great place to see sunsets.
Trying to see the fish.
We all had dinner…
And then headed to TCBY for some more treats.
Tuesday afternoon Jillian and Megan showed up.
Jillian, while waiting for Megan to head to the beach.
I took a quick trip out to the beach to see how everyone was doing.
After work, it was time to head back to Fish Tales for dinner.
Sisters!!!
Cousins!!!
Time to get their arms painted again.
Ashley went a little more hard core with a flaming skull.
They were more happy with their arm paintings than they look.
Some sunset beerporn.
Ashley wanted to borrow my hat…
But I told her she had to smile.
Megan’s picture posted to Facebook that once again hid the fact I shaved.
We all finished dinner…
And then broke into two groups…
With Diane and Mike taking the two youngest.
We made our nightly pilgrimage to TCBY…
And then got comfy while watching a movie.
Riley slept with Megan that night.
Before work Wednesday morning and Ashley and I played in the low tide.
I tried to get her to do some surfing…
But she was a little afraid and passed on trying.
Kelli sent me these flowers from home in a text message!!!!
After work, and time to relax and read the paper.
Kelli has been working a lot lately, so I sent her the beach horoscope.
Time to head out.
Ashley and I decided to walk the 20 blocks to Macky’s for dinner while everyone else drove.
I saw these flowers on the way and sent them to Kelli.
20 blocks, and 20 minutes later we arrived at Macky’s.
It almost looks like it could be Riley.
Another good sunset.
Some reading about the area behind Macky’s.
The outside dining is very nice if you want to sit right on the beach.
Mmm, beer.
Can you find our table?
The Mahi-Mahi, sooooo good!!!!
Ashley and I shared this cut-out.
We decided to play some golf that night.
Lunch time on Thursday…..beach.
You couldn’t have asked for better weather.
At 5:00pm it was time to stop working for the day.
Tonight was going to be an eat in night.
Kristi made a casserole that we heated in the oven while the girls set the table.
After dinner we went to the boardwalk for a walk.
Ashley and I took a walk down the fishing pier…
And on the way back she watched the roller coaster go through the loop.
Later that night we took Ashley to see the band Hot Sauce Sandwich (she wore ear plugs). She made it to just past midnight before falling asleep.
Friday had come, and at lunch, Kristi was headed out to sea.
Why Tom, is that a Mountain Dew you have?
Nope, just a hide-my-beer label.
I hung out for a while at lunch with everyone.
And Ashley got some boogie boarding in.
Lori made a large turtle out of sand.
Just after 5pm Kelli arrived from Kent Island.
Everyone was so happy to see her.
I celebrated with a beer.
Turns out we happened to be wearing the same shirt.
We all just relaxed and enjoyed the Friday night.
Next door there were lots of games going on.
Check out the moon.
A quick mirror shot…
Before heading out for dinner.
We all got a booth at Mother’s, thanks to Lori.
In the bathroom you can write on the walls with chalk.
After dinner I had talked Ashley into riding the go-karts.
She met the height requirement to ride along with me.
So we got our card…
And picked our go-kart.
The last track was too slow, so we went to the track with faster go-carts.
After all that excitement, Sophia wanted to try.
Ashley and I decided to jump in a go-kart, too.
The exact moment we passed them.
After our racing, we made yet another trip to TCBY.
Saturday morning and all Kelli wanted was the bed to herself.
That morning, Kelli and I went downtown to see a surf competition on 8th…
And watch some bands play on the boardwalk. It was ungodly hot.
Malibu’s was putting on the whole event.
And we had a great time listening to all four bands.
The official sign of the event.
Back at our beach afterwards, and it was adult time in the late day sun.
The current had really picked up and cut a shelf into the sand.
But that didn’t stop us from having fun.
Everyone went in except Tom and me, and Kelli was kind enough to make a beer run for us.
Ocean side beerporn.
It was nap time for some when we got back.
Others were watching TV.
Moosehead, proudly independent. Check out the moon above the bottle.
Ready to head out for the night, and Kristi and I matched.
With a small amount of extra time…
Ashley and I traveled back to the go-carts.
We had one ride left on our card so we made sure to use it.
She wants to go to the water park next year.
Everyone was waiting for us…
So we headed back to Macky’s again.
Back home it was time for bed.
And Sophia was jammin’ to her music.
Ashley, Kelli, and Kristi all bought the bracelets that shrink to your wrist.
Sunday had come and it was finally time to head home.
I headed over to see Jillian one last time before calling an end to the weekend.