From a little boy to a man slightly older boy

Lucas has a slam good time at the beach. He's mentioned, on a daily basis, how he's ready to go back. He spent most of his time boogie boarding on ankle high waves and avoiding looking at the camera.

Lucas 1 (1 of 1)

I bought some small dump trucks at the dollar store before we left and they proved to be a good investment. Lucas in particular loved running them through the sand and into the waves.

Lucas 2 (1 of 1)

He "practiced" swimming in the shallow waters because he's just too upset that his eldest sister knows how to swim (in the pool) without floaties and he does not.

Lucas 3 (1 of 1)

Several times over the course of the week I'd look at my oldest boy and marvel at how grown up he is. I know 4 years old isn't old, but for this Momma's heart it seems old. He still loves early morning cuddles and will usually give me hugs and kisses upon request. He still, unprompted, says, "I love you Momma" and it just melts my heart each time.

Lucas 4 (1 of 1)

Yet I see glimpses of the young man he is growing to become. Eager to please his father and I, asking good (and tough) questions about God, loving his sisters despite their desires to only play the "girly" things and loving his littler siblings beyond what I thought possible for a little boy.

Lucas 5 (1 of 1)

And then, just when I think he's getting so mature and growing so quickly, I see this in our attempt at a family photo....

Lucas 6 (1 of 1)

And I realize that maybe he's not as grown up as I thought. But then again, neither is his Dad and he's technically considered an adult.

My own little red-headed mermaid

Ashlee has two favorite activities, running and eating. When she's not doing one, she's certainly doing the other. A close third on her short list of "Things that make Ashlee happy" would be babies, Ella in particular. Being at the beach allowed Ashlee to either be running or eating constantly, which made her little self very, very happy.

Imagine the energizer bunny with a garbage disposal attached to his face and you get Ashlee.

I think it's important to note that the last time we went to the beach as a family was when Ashlee and Lucas looked like this:

06-28-06 04

She was slightly slower and less of a food hog then. Wow. Time surely does fly.

ashlee 8 (1 of 1)

She and Elizabeth spent copious amounts of time jumping over and running from the waves.

ashlee 1 (1 of 1)

She's stand in them, then scream and run like fury to get away.

ashlee 2 (1 of 1)

Of course there's always time to stop and act silly. Anything to make someone laugh.

ashlee 10 (1 of 1)

There was lots of boogie boarding...

ashlee 4 (1 of 1)

...and I FINALLY got her to sit still long enough to do this....

ashlee 6 (1 of 1)

"Being a mermaid is the most fun ever Mom! 'Cept, can I get up now?"

ashlee 7 (1 of 1)

Oh my little red-head is growing up right before my eyes. Slow down little one. Stay my sweet, loud, overly energetic, baby loving, fast running little girl for a while longer, won't you? Please?

ashlee 9 (1 of 1)

If you try, I'll fix you a snack. Deal?