Beach Week Vacation 2011

Our first “Family Beach Week” was 28 years ago.  My mom and dad, two of my sisters and their families, my brother’s family, and our family spend a week together, each summer, in Galveston.  We have rented different houses, through the years, some more than once.  After a run to Sam’s and the grocery store for food, the vacation is ready to begin.  There is no agenda for the week, but there are some traditions that have evolved…lots of picture taking, eating, games and more games, puzzles, the water slide one afternoon (when Jungle Surf was still in operation), miniature golf one evening (with snow cones for refreshments), sand sculptures, “Required Fun” (different projects Grandmother took for them to make…t-shirts, shell pictures, Uncle Sam magnets…), reading, porch naps, and lots of conversations and laughter.

This summer, 20 of our family were able to come for all or part of the week.  Eight of the ten grandchildren, and both great-grandchildren, were there.  The grandkids are grown now, but several took vacation days so they could spend some or all of the week at the beach.  We missed you Scott, Abby, Randi, and Toby.

Although my dad, brother, and sister are no longer with us, there were plenty of special memories to share of times spent with them.

These are some pictures of "Beach Week" from the past 20+ years.

Grandmom made each grandchild their own flag for the week.



Just noticed that Brad had Chad's cup and Chad had Brad's.





Baseball on the lawn by the beach house.





Decorating t-shirts

The finished product








Scott enjoying one of his favorite pastimes at the beach.

 



Dad and Mom sitting on the deck.



All four of my guys at Jungle Surf Water Slide  







For several years, Brad and Chad's birthday was during beach week.

 

Chad

 

Miniature Golf Tradition continues



Games are a big part of the week at the beach.



Larry with his coffee and a book.





It was a tradition to get a "Snow Ball" (Snow cone) after golfing.



This was next to golf one summer, so Andrew and Brad tried it out.  Kirk and Adam did as well.

 





Volleyball



Brad and Randi painting a popsicle stick Uncle Sam.  Another "Required Fun" project that they really did enjoy.



Uncle Sam magnet



 

Randi was able to come to beach week, all the way from New Mexico.



Adam designed the shark for the cousins to make.



Brad and Melinda

The adults like to play games, too!



The "Next Generation" experienced beach week in 2011.

Mom and her two great-grandchildren.

Miniature Golf continues at a new Pirate Golf Course.

Love this picture of Mom and Dad walking to the beach.

Psalm 133:1
How good and pleasant it is when brothers (sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, grandparents) live together in unity!

I Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.