thank goodness

Happy Thanksgiving. This year, Thanksgiving was something special. It was a time to let go and be a kid again. I love my cousins. I love them so much. As you can see in the pictures, the place is beautiful, but really it's all about the people for me, and there was no where else I would've rather been than with these hooligans. 

the beach

morning walks on the beach

" Good morning, Gill."

I said, "Good morning, Gill" 

(obviously, we have only had our eyes open for no longer than 10 minutes:)

playing on the beach

We made up games, flew kites, played a little Turkey Bowl (until the injuries started to surface), surfed, skimboarded, built sandcastles and crushed them. It was such a wonderful week of nothing productive!! Just what I needed!

Jumping over the waves.

Cutest couple award goes to these two^^

Wally found this treasure on the beach (the body of a stingray!!) 

As you can see our family is treated with girls...lots of little girls.

Aren't they adorable?

The girls thought it would be a good idea to do Nick's hair...haha such flirts. 

Also would you look at Maggie's face.  Priceless.

but we can't forget the outnumbered, darling little boys...

{Ficher^^ asked me to take his picture and immediately faked he was asleep when I began snapping. Don't let this little act fool ya:)}

surfing

 all the day long...

Nick convinced me to get a wetsuit for Black Friday! BEST investment EVER! It was the warmest thing I have ever worn...definitely came in handy with the ice cold water. 

 into the night...

Abby, Hannah and Liza^^^

^^Hannah

my lovely parents

and of course, the sleepover

All the single cousins were shun to the basement of the beach house. By the end of the week we had 10 bodies in this room. Needless to say, this was one of the highlights of the week for me. We stayed up late in the night watching crazy hippo YouTube clips, laughing, crashing hard and waking up to Miranda Sings. I love my cousins more and more. They are pure and curious about life. Being one of the oldest in the basement, I couldn't help but look at this younger generation and think how lucky I am to be related to such smart, genuine people. Oh I love them!

This trip accentuated that love even more. 

 Ian's face says it all!!

 Speaking of kind, genuine people--I know where my cousins get it^^. My grandparents are the most loving couple alive, literally! I am so lucky to be included in such a powerhouse lineage. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for such a wonderful Thanksgiving!! It was a great break from the real world and a chance to be a child again. 

I love you both!!