The Beach '09

I can't believe the beach has already come and gone again. The funny thing is, the countdown has already begun for next years beach. 359 day... pathetic...I know. Anyways, we were able to enjoy 2 weeks of sand in hair, diaper rash from the sand, warmer than usual water, and sitting on the beach. Ella loved it this year. If you can recall, Ella was only 6 months last year and so she was somewhat limited on what she did. This year was she had full rein on what she did and where she went. Brennan and I had to keep a very watchful eye on our adventuresome child.

Ella had the most adorable curls at the beach. She must get it from my dad, because Brennan and I certainly don't have ANY curl to our hair.

Something that I enjoyed watching was her playing with all of her cousins. Kate and Lucy (two oldest) were so kind to let her chum around with them. She loves being with the bigger girls. Ella and her cousins at the "Swensen beach compound".

They were all born in a period of 14 month. Can you say, TROUBLE!

10 Grandkids! Minus Jacob

This year Brennan was in heaven. Not only was he able to surf at least twice a day, there was a big swell that came in from Tahiti. The water was warm, the waves were huge. On average, 15-20 feet high. That is big. We enjoyed awing over them as we sat and watched them tower over people and made the sound of thunder as they crashed the water below. One morning, we biked down to the Wedge, (that you Meg/Thuerers for letting us use them) it was an awesome site. There were so many people, TV crews, insane surfers/body surfers, and helicopters. Wave after wave towered over these surfers. Watching these guys take these waves was incredible and it was extremely fun to watch.

The city of Newport built this sand wall in order to stop the waves from coming up and hitting the houses. Insane

We had such a fun time being down there with family and others we love. Thanks again Jackie for another good summer at "our" beach house.