Beach Babes

Those who know me will be well aware that I don't spend a lot of time at the beach. In fact, I think before this holiday the last time was maybe January 2010!

So it came as a little bit of a surprise when Grace announced "I love the beach!" and wanted to go every day while we were in Yamba. Not that she ventured into the waves, but making sandcastles and collecting shells and rocks were definitely favourite activities.

I love the beach!

Making sandcastles with Laura.

Ta-da!

Collecting shells, rocks and other treasures.

Charlotte had never been to a beach before, but definitely also enjoyed it. I thought eating the sand was going a little bit too far, though!

Don't I look cute in my new hat?

I'm not sure about the water, but the rocks and sand are fun!

Aunty Janelle kindly took Charlotte to try out the water, but she wasn't very keen. The fact that it came in around you then went out again was a bit disconcerting.

Two gorgeous girls covered in sunscreen.

It looks like Neil and I will have to step out of our comfort zones and onto the sand a little bit more frequently!

Fantastic Family Fun

We just returned home on Thursday afternoon after two lovely weeks spent with my family.

The girls and I flew to Brisbane on March 29, and Grandma drove us down to Yamba (with an overnight stay in Tweed Heads) where we met up with the rest of the family. We stayed at Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort for five nights, which just flew by.

The girls and I were in one cabin, and next door were Aunty Janelle, Uncle Matt and their five children. Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Andrew, Aunty Emma and Ayla were just down a little further.

Probably my favourite part of our holiday was seeing my girls (and particularly Grace) have so much fun spending time with their cousins. Janelle's kids would frequently come to visit us, and we would go and visit them. Grace woke up each morning and said "That sounds like my cousins" and raced outside straight away to see what was happening.

The cousins - Laura, Ayla, Sarah, Charlotte, Benny, Joshua, Timmy, & Grace.

The hardest part about living in Melbourne is knowing that Grace and Charlotte don't get to experience being part of a larger, extended family group. This holiday was a great opportunity for them to do just that. So I'm hoping it becomes a regular item on the calendar.

The family - Aunty Emma, Uncle Andrew, Ayla, Grandpa, Sarah, Grandma, Joshua, Benny, me, Grace, Charlotte, Timmy, Uncle Matt, Aunty Janelle & Laura (Daddy was absent).

I'll share more details of our holiday in other posts over the next few days.