the essence

WAY too many photos to post here so there are two albums on facebook: one and two

What a weekend!!! We had so much fun with everyone, it was definitely a full house! Usually busier during the day & by evenings we were down to about 11 adults & six kids - the place held everyone wonderfully!

I ate WAY too much & didn't sleep nearly enough. It was just the best time hanging out with everyone for the holiday weekend. Saturday it was bright & sunny when we went to the beach in the morning. The water was so calm & flat. I was in the water the entire time so I didn't get any pictures while there.

We cooked out for lunch & hung out for the afternoon. Some of us girls took some of the kids for a little walk & played in the puddles. While walking we encountered a TON of rain from one of the hurricane bands but we just kept walking because, what's a little water?



Saturday afternoon through Sunday was pretty much overcast & windy with rain off & on. The hurricane provided an AMAZING surf at the beach with some huge waves.

We all took turns cooking meals (I made chicken & yellow rice on Saturday night) & Sunday night we ate the red fish that Gabe caught on Friday - it was delicious!

I used to live about 3 miles from the house where we were staying & I remember this fabulous ice cream place, Tyler's, from when I was little. My mom told me it was still open & it was only 2.3 miles from the house! So, Sunday the girls & I had a little night out & we all agreed it was FABULOUS ice cream!



Back out the house we played a hilarious game of Catch Phrase & then all but one of us (because someone ahd to watch the kids) went for a walk to the beach. The surf was still HUGE & the tide was very high.





Monday morning we had to be out of the house by 10:00 so we made it home a little after 11 yesterday morning. The fun wasn't over yet; the guys played soccer in the afternoon & Rachel had us all over for dinner. It was excellent!

Matt & Heather stayed with us last night & we drank iced espressos & watched Sweeney Todd. I did not make it to bed like midnight as I'd planned but it was totally worth it. Our long weekend is coming to an end as we will be taking Matt & Heather to the airport in just a short while.