Day 1- Gabi, the water baby, was ready to run straight in, chase the waves, jump in the water, and giggle her heart out!
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While Gabi was laughing the morning away, Ethan took a bit more time to figure out this vast body of uncontrollable water.
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After a while of sitting on the boogie board, letting the (apparently) funny waves brush his feet, Ethan figured out the spirit of the beach!
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When cousin Joey woke up from his nap, he joined us with Aunt Syssa and Uncle Craig for big guy's first beach!
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On our very first evening, we head out to the boardwalk for our first rides of the trip!
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Last year, 2.5 year old Gabi was terrified of most rides; this year, she was ready and brave! Ethan - not so much.
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Since Team Gilden didn't come to the boardwalk, boardwalk dessert came to Team Gilden!
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Day 2- Ethan remembers right away that this beach thing has its perks, sporting the man-ponytail and all. (Gabi stuck mostly to the sand.)
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We have time for digging in the sand (who doesn't?) before heading back to the house for lunch and naps.
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Around the house after 'nap-time', even though some are just starting to snooze:
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On the evening of Day 2, we head for a stroll along the beach at sunset:
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So much for that bath they had already taken...
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Day 3- You're thinking, 'Seriously? Aren't you tired yet?' We're JUST getting started. (Thank goodness my children take BEAUTIFUL naps!)
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At the beach, Gabi took over the camera to show you the world from her angle:
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Day 4- We have the rest of our cousins coming later in the day, but we're able to distract ourselves in the morning while playing in the sand.
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We were so excited that more cousins arrived. We got to playing together right away.
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Nana and Zayde leave to fetch Team Cohan, and while the cats are away, the mice play! Cousins Dance Party!!!
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Day 5- With 1-and-only-1 full day of whole-family-togetherness, we knew we were bound for fun.
Operation: bury Jacob |
Mira may have been eager to help in the bury Jacob endeavor... |
men |
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kite flying |
Hop on Pop: Boys will be boys?
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More hanging out at the beach house after nap time:
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We head back to the boardwalk for a second time. This time, we let Ethan rest in peace at home in his cozy bed. But we had a ton of cousins for added smiles!
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Gabi rode the fire trucks with immense glee and loved spinning on the tea cups! |
Time for (really big) desserts!
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Day 6- As we say goodbye to Team Gilden, we attempt a picture with 'all the cousins.' This is how well it went:
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My 2 seemed ready to pose though:
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the classy way to eat corn-on-the-cobb |
We found music in the park for our evening's entertainment and danced the night away.
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Day 7- Our last full day together and our last time at the beach was probably the best one! The water was as calm and comfortable as a pool with a slight wave. We had EVERYONE in the water for the first time all week.
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Ethan happily pretended this large shovel was a guitar as he strummed his dancing tunes all day.
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Back at the boardwalk one last night:
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I always love 'Special Aunt Time.' Sandi had done Mira's and my hair to match even though the picture didn't quite show it. | 
Gabi's first fireworks (She didn't like them.) |
One last time at the boardwalk is one last excuse for exorbitant treats:
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Time to head back home to Austin. A 13-hour travel day asks for some VERY patient parents and kiddos, but we all survived and it was worth it for the great family vacation!
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