This Week at Our House # 24

1. My parents rented a home at a nearby beach for the week, so we traveled back and forth and had a lot of fun at the beach. John worked a lot on the drives, at home before we left and the two days we did not make it down. Then he was just in love at the beach. It's the perfect place for exercise.
2. Our family really, really loves the beach. We spent Monday, Wednesday, Friday night and Saturday at the beach with my parents. On Monday, we spent 5 straight hours swimming. That was a mistake because most of us burned pretty badly and some were pretty sick from heat and dehydration. My favorite part was when John and I swam together alone on Monday and had a very nice conversation. The waves were gentle Monday, but by Saturday they were coming hard and fast and tall.
3. Tuesday, I drove to Raleigh for Ruth to finish the last thing she needed for her visa. She got her fingerprints done and then mailed everything in to the Church. Hopefully, everything is right and her visa will come in on time. Ruth did some family history with my mom. She is working on the English line and excited about this as her mission will be in England.
4. Kate was very sick on Tuesday. Monday, she swam for 5 hours straight and between the salt, the heat, and the sunburn, she was very dehydrated. She spent all night Monday with diarrhea and then vomiting on Tuesday while trying to rehydrate. Monday night she finally felt better, weak, but better. But because of it, she missed the beach on Wednesday.
5. Johnny stayed home with Kate on Wednesday. He got a pretty bad sunburn and after that he was careful about how much time he spent in the sun.
6. Adam loves the ocean and swimming. He has become a very strong swimmer and seems to have a lot of stamina. Our garden is growing reasonably well and Adam is the one to harvest it, He enjoys eating it too, including the turnips. I have really enjoyed the herbicide-free, pesticde-free, and non-gmo tomatoes.
7. Rachel swam with Kate without taking a break on Monday. She burned the worst and spent all day Tuesday lying on the couch moaning. After that, she was concerned about the sun. But, for the first time ever, she took my advice and wore a shirt over her swimsuit. It's not as cute, but it is much more practical. Rachel is gaining some wisdom!Oh, and Rachel finally learned to ride a bike. All the other kids picked it up between 7 and 8 and often just on their own. Rachel finally got up enough gumption to spend the time needed to learn.
8. Anya burned on her back pretty badly too. But she just doesn't ever complain much. Anya loves to swim, but she is very cautious. She will not go out very deep. It's cute to have her tell me to stop and not go further in the water because it makes her afraid. Anya loves catching minnows at the beach. Monday, they were plentiful and she had a bucket full of fish. She also caught two hermit crabs. 
9. On Monday Joseph swam in the deep water above his head the whole day, but the rest of the week, the waves were too fierce and he had to stay shallow. Joseph can swim now and he swims well. I used to think I needed to get my kids swimming lessons, but I have learned that all you really need to do is take them swimming enough and eventually they pick it up. 
10. My mom bought Joshua this really big truck to play with on the beach. He is in love!! 
11. My mom bought tons of buckets and shovels and sand toys that Arwen had a lot of fun with. 
12. On Thursday, I told Suzy that her birthday was soon. She didn't say much, but later she fetched her unwrapped birthday present out of hiding. I had no idea she knew where it was, what it was, or what her birthday is. We hid her presents in a safer place, but she is clearly ready and waiting. She will be 3 tomorrow.
13. Despite using sunscreen, a sun hat, and keeping Sam in the shade, he still got sunburnt from Saturdays beach time. Fortunately for me, he seems to sleep a little longer and deeper. I expected the opposite. 

Pictures

Adam's love for Duck Dynasty and the outdoors has led to a love for camo-- blek

Josh has been building some awesome block creations for his creative time each day.

Kate at her seminary graduation not wanting me to get a photo.

Suzy wears her old swimsuit on her head for a headband almost everyday.

Suzy has the same birthday as my mom, so my mom likes to do a mini-double-celebration every year. This year they are 70 and 3!