hard to believe
my much anticipated trip to Long Beach Island with the kids is behind me, but not without leaving it's imprint and a week of wonderful memories with my family in the sun & sand. The moment I drive over the bridge there is a certain kind of ahhh that filters in unlike any other place. It truly is a slice of heaven. I am again grateful for my parents making this possible year after year and that all my siblings were able to make the trip!!! Although my kids are not from New Jersey, they now have a certain love of the state I grew up in & the family they get to see summer after summer. Sharlette and I enjoyed residing bayside with the little cousins, spending the days beachside at Granny & Gramps sweet house on the sand. Bella flew her first kite solo with Aunt Kristina & Uncle Sean. She shared special time with Granny 
every afternoon, while 
I took Dean back fora nap. Dean dug in the sand with Gramps his buddy and ran wild with his cousin Aiden. They were fast friends this year, hanging out when Bella was busy. The waves were extreme this year, which made me grateful the Dean gained some fear of the ocean's strength. Rook & I enjoyed surfing on boogie boards one particularly rough day. That was a blast. In the evenings we all gathered for a Yates family meal and Shar & I had sister time to unwind from parenting and embrace a glass or two of red wine delight with our toes in the sand wishing for nothing but to live closer. I could fill pages with details, but for now will leave this post...until next year LBI! It always makes me sad to cross back over that bridge. Thanks for the memories!
