Beach Week XVIII

Alternate title for this post: Homage to Tradition! (best if said with a foreign accent)


Tradition # 1 The Bakery

An undisclosed amount is spent on cow cookies and other tasty treats from the bakery. The "pink" box arrives and the 12 year old inside me saunters over for a cookie. Well the number of us has increased over the years and so has the size of the box. So while we may claim we could have done with less- every day a cookie (or two) and a IBC put a smile on many faces!

Happy 21st birthday twinkies! The girls loved the cupcakes!!

Tradition #2 Competive Male Bonding

Over the years the boys have tried to out do each other in 5 am rounds of golf, ultimate, football, soccer and baseball. But now that backs are stiffer, knees are weaker, and cardio fitness is at an all time low due to gratuate degrees, long billable hours and families- the boys have settled for a rousing game of Bocci ball. And although they are not likely to break a sweat it is still very intense!

Tradition # 3 The Zoo

For the past few years Dan & I have taken the kids to the Santa Barbara Zoo after church on Sunday. We love the drive up the coast and the SB Zoo is one of the prettiest I have ever been to. We were saddened this year to find out the famous giraffe with the crooked neck had died since our last visit. But the zoo was still fun with a slide down the grass hill.

Tradition # 4 We never get tired of the beach!

18 years and going strong! We love the smell of the salt water, the crashing of the waves, the feel of the sand. Sliverstrand has that familiar feeling like home. Not every day was warm and sunny but it didn't stop us from dragging all of our gear out to set up camp in front of the ocean. I love that the Hydes are bundled, the teens are trying to get a tan, and the kids don't mind that the water is cold. There were 2 new little ones this year and four more on the way. It is a challenge as a mom of young kids at the beach to enjoy the "vacation" But I believe that the reason why we endure long car rides to be there and then sleepless nights with kids who are out of sorts and lonely evenings because were were all too spread out is because our parents did it for us and my best vacation memories as a kid are with this group.

Tradition # 5 Good Food, Good Times, Good Friends!

Many thanks to the G1 fellows who make this all happen! Dan & I often wonder who will become our livelong vacation friends. You are all great examples to me and I am grateful for what you all "bring to the beach"! Love you! And thanks for another great year!
Ahh! The Parker girls!