the 18th year.

We've been doing this for 18 years. We look forward to it all year...and countdown the days till its here.

:: Our Connolly Family Vacation ::

Its a time of family

A time of friends and

A long long time at the beach.

Im not kidding. As soon as we arrive, it becomes our full-time job.

We play, everyday, 9 to 5pm.

We do relaxing things like naps, reading, visiting.

mixed with...

Super competitive sporting events.

This year included: beach soccer, ultimate frisbee, bocce, volleyball, paddleball, cart-wheel contests, long jumping competitions, and freeze-tag (yes freeze-tag).

My bestie, who has kept me company on the beach for the past 18 years. 

Benson and his cousin Grace loved each other this trip. They did everything together. Before bedtime one night Bryce was talking to Benson about the day. And Benson said, 

"I love Grace"

"and boats."

Their most favorite thing this year was the boogie boards. Everyday was boogie board day. They carried them down to the water. they got pulled on them. they pulled each other. And when the current got under them they would fall and run away.

 Searching for sea shells is a must. and grandpa is the best person to find shells with.

Thursday we spent the morning taking some family pictures at a park in Huntington. I would love to say that having a photographer in the family, makes family pictures so much smoother and less hectic. But its not. Its like every family session. There is yelling. There is fighting. There are tears from the kids. But you would never know, don't we look like such a happy family :)

my favorite.

And from 2pm until 8pm we were on Huntington beach. Playing the rest of the afternoon. And finishing the evening with a hot dog and marshmallow roast. This was our first time staying so late on the beach, and it became one of our favorite days.

 There is nothing better than being on the beach, surrounded by a sunset, family, and friends.

Im a lover of these family vacations.

I really do believe that I have the greatest family on earth.

We really are just a bunch of best friends.

Having the time of our life.

on the beach.