What is it, you ask? Well, it's a lighter with clams clustered around it! Pretty freaky. I wonder why they were attracted to a cigarette lighter!
Cousin Jessie and Mary.
Mother (Grandma) and daughter (Mom).
The beach is the best place on earth (that I have ever been to anyway). How relaxing it was to be there for an entire week!
The seagull agrees with me, I'm sure.
My feet! The angle makes them look stubby. They really are not!
And these seagulls agree with me too.
It was the Mendheims turn to clean up after dinner for 20, and they pitched right into it! Uncle Eric gives some "direction." :)
"No Smiling, Jessie! This is the kitchen clean-up boot camp, didn't you know!!?"
Jessie sadly goes back to scouring the stove.
I loved Sam's method of cleaning: he would ARRANGE all the cups etc on the counter, or all the tupperwares, or whatever, but never actually put anything AWAY. :) Very cute.
Mom sporting the shirt I made for our upcoming family picture.
A few sizes too big, but besides that... :)
Tennis time! We played a lot of tennis that week, but I only took pictures one night (I believe it was the first night). Anyway, this is myself, practicing keeping the ball in the air with my racket. I guess I bounced the ball so high, you can't see it (!)
Not a bad swing, if I do say so myself :)
He looks sort of konked because I just hit him in the head with the ball *jk*
Danielle, once again giving us a lovely face.
I think she's serving, but don't quote me.
I don't know her. *wink*
Mary and Joe having a moment.
That's sweet :)
Uncle E giving some, no doubt excellent, direction. He is quite the pro, by the way.
Rob looking cool in his blue hat, green shorts and red shoes! You go man!
Aunt Anne and good ol' Joe.
After Tennis it was time to cool off in the cool pool.
Soon after we had started swimming, our second cousins arrived with their children (who are our third cousins). Jessie (yes there are two--Jessie M and Jessie B, who just arrived) and Matthew. They were cute.
Matthew instantly took charge of the situation, hands on hips.
Jessie M playing with Robert.
Sorry these are so dark! This is Joe.
All the childrens in the jacuzzi!
Uh oh... Who does that exempt?
You, young lady!!
"Now Matthew, you must breathe SOMETIMES: that means sticking your head out of the water every now and then!" Man, that Matthew was like a fish--and at five years old too!
Looks like everyone's getting a bit tired... We went back to the condos soon after this.
In our PJs.
The Mendheims lovely condo.
Trish and Mary got pedicures.
Pretty!
Flowers!
But where are we...
There's second cousin Kristin...
Ah yes: A1A, the yummiest restaurant in St Augustine! And why so many women? It's the Women's Day Out!!
Our server looks a bit overwhelmed, and well she should be!
I was overwhelmed myself by how good my cob salad looked. Yummo!! Bacon, shrimp, salad, egg, cucumber, ah heaven... (for the record, if it wasn't for my food allergies, I would totally have NOT gotten a salad!! I am not that good).
Mary and Patricia sport their new aprons from Grandma (this was sort of a time to celebrate their entrance into womanhood with the whole extended family).
Affection :)
Kristin and Ellie share a picture.
Candid of D and her mom.
Ah hah, Danielle is on to me!
Aw man, this is SOOOOO good. Fried custard! I am not even a big custard fan, but this is amazing (not as good as chocolate, but what is??).
Grandma and I.
Oh look at the custard! And yes, the twins are cute. *laugh*
After lunch we window shopped (probably the only time of the year I do that interesting and usually fruitless activity). This glass violin blew me away.
I want it! But it's definitely not woth $300 or however much it was.
Giant frog.
The gallery backed onto a gorgeous old hotel.
enjoying the nice couches.
Queen Julie the 1st.
Queen Katherine the III! With her handmaid, Ellie *jk*
Walking!
And walking...
Sitting!
Smiling :)
I just had to snap a picture of these weird shoes. Check them out!
And they were like $40! They remind me of a frog, and it looked to me like none of them had been sold. We returned home soon after this.
Just one evening during dinner time. I have just stolen Robert's hat, and he is mad.
Now he is appeased, but Joe is mad! Literally.
Watching cousin Mike on his laptop.
Danielle telling one of her tall tales :)
Night walk on the beach!
Dad and Uncle E.
Robert wakes from his slumber to amuse the gentlemen.
Oh yeah: revenge is Danielle's! My dad has wiped some whipped cream on her neck.
Contemplating the feeling of whipped cream running down his back.
Ellie playing with Jessie B.
These next few pics are of the sunrise breakfast, which was great fun! Many people don't come because of the main word "SUNRISE" but the determined few make it out to enjoy the beach ast 6 AM.
Jessie, what a radiant smile for so early! Trish looks like she's still asleep (or wants to be).
Sweet!
The sun is coming!!
There are always clouds covering the horizon line, but it's still beautiful.
Silhoettes.
Matthew on the run.
There's the sun!!
It was still behind several clouds, so it's not as bright as it really is.
The morning light is here, and we use it to make some sandcastle type stuff.
Sam takes a moment to contemplate.
Matthew was my right hand man--that child is a born leader!
Jessie M concentrating.
Same can be said for Samuel.
Cousin Mike and his daughter Jessie B.
Uncle Eric making his annual monster sand castle.
Cute little Matthew...
...giving me the pained smile :)
Mini golf! I love that game :) We all went, pretty much. Hi Mary!
Jessie M models for us.
Look out!!!!
One group of players. L-R: Mary, Patricia, Jessie M, Cora E (our cousin).
The guy group of players.
And here's our group! L-R: Danielle, Jessie B, Robert, Ellie, me. And no, don't ask me what in the world D is doing!!
Ellie's fine form :)
Seems like it did something for her!!
Our group.
Robert puts out.
In which I hope to put out.
Mom took this--impressive!
Joe felt a need to keep up his reputation of silliness *wink* Love you Joe, my man!
Kole gives me a nice smile :)
And Dad gives us a cheesy smile.
Pose and Posture!
Our awesome group again.
Yours truly, doing what I love: keeping score :)
Aunt Anne!
And we are finished with the course! I think Robert won, then Ellie and I tied, and then D and Jessie :) It was fun.
Interesting.
Oh Joe!!!
What a singular picture. I have to laugh...
Cousins and friends forever!
Time for some couch shots.
Sam, what are you looking at that's more important than looking AT THE CAMERA!!!?
Time for a treasure hunt! First the younger children did one. Uncle E gives some direction (he's just so good at it).
"Caleb, no pinching Matthew's ear with the graber!!"
Jessie B, reading a clue.
On the hunt for treasure!
What is the child smiling about...?
Treasure! In the form of candy :) Danielle took it upon herself to dole out the sweeties.
Happiness all 'round.
Wow!
Robert doing some strumming.
Time for big kids' treasure hunt! Full car.
Is there possible a clue in the shark's mouth...?
Yep, there was! Kole has always wanted to stick his head in a shark's mouth.
A clue!
Here we are, at the dancing waters (the beach is close by).
We were going to go out on the pier, but...
You had to pay!! Typical.
So we looked around the other dancing waters: the fountain.
Another family pic :)
We found the clue, and then headed over to take a look at high tide.
What a beautiful day!
Some of the girls wanted to get their clothes wet with salt water so they could get itchy legs. So, what is fun about that??
Too close for comfort?
Nope, they're back for round two.
Had enough.
Time to read the next clue.
The next clue led us to a clue IN the pool (sorry no pics of that) and then that clue led us to...
The beach!
Several kites in the brisk wind.
There's the life guard, who we're required to ask about the next clue!
The next clue was indeed the treasure!
A cousins shot.
Sweet Cora in a hole.
These next few are of Grandma's Diner Night! Where Grandma cooks and the younger kids serve (and get tips--their highlight!). Here Joe shows us his impeccable manners.
The cooking staff (D helped) with Caleb, one of the waiters.
As the guests arrive, there is some scuffling over seating.
But everything works out :) Grandpa and the girls got the balcany seating!
Kristin and Ellie having a nice chat.
Cheese!
Uncle Eric dug right in :)
But had time to kiss his wife :) I love this pic. So cute!
Smiles!
It's that time after dinner where one cleans one's teeth with one's tongue.
OK, all done and ready for pictures!
Sam and Caleb having an affectionate moment. LOL actually, they are wrestling :)
Our last time in the pool :(
I was swimmed out, but Gramps and I had a good time reading and chatting (and getting our picture taken).
My dear Grandma and I.
Dear Grandma then got in the pool and played an energetic game of volley ball! Good for her!
Laughter.
The morning we had to leave, it was time for photo shoots. All the cousins!
All twelve cousins with Grandma and Grandpa.
Take 2. Remember you can click to make these bigger.
The whole happy family!
A dog up above enjoyed the proceedings immensely.
The Biebers with the grandparents (their aunt and uncle).
Mendheims (my mom's sister).
Sweet.
Just the Biebers.
The Cochran family! I see newsletter material here.
E and D--cousins and friends.
Saying goodbye out in the parking lot. :(Well it was quite a time. Thanks again, Grandma and Grandpa for making all that possible, and we are already looking forward to next year, since it's going to be a little earlier :) I hope you enjoyed these! God bless.
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