We said, we would stay home this year...

That's what we said anyway! But as the months passed...
We knew we couldn't miss it.
I started coming here when I was about five years old.
That's right, about 29 years worth of vacations and memories from right here.



I walked these paths as a little girl and now my girl walks these same warm stones.

When we married, we decided to continue on this family tradition.

Of spending one week with family here every June.

Some family members have stopped coming or out grown Sebastian.

Not us!! Even when we think of doing something else, our hearts are drawn back to the salty smell of the Indian River community.

We see and play with favorite cousins here in this sand.

Walk along the rivers edge looking for treasure.

A little girl discovers the remains of a fish and goes into an elaborate
tale about the life and death of such fish. Something about BIG sharks!

Catch of the day!

We dine in a restaurant made from old boats.

I whisper I love you in his ear.

Favorite cousins share baskets of mozzarella and laugh at each other when the hot cheese drips down their chin.

We celebrate birthdays together here.Altogether, we have about five sometimes six units amongst our big ole' family.

Every night we switch to a different room and cook it up. Laying out a big spread buffet style and sit back to watch the feasting. It's the fellowship I cherish the most.

Some don't cherish it so much. Some are not so grateful! Those few, walk without Jesus in their hearts. I try to take moments during the week to pray for them. The only sad part is sharing life here with family members that are lost. Not that I'm sad to be with them, well sometimes what comes out of their mouth makes me sad, but sad knowing they are lost without Him.
So I pray and let God do His thing!


and I get back to making the memories. With them!

watching on, as a good big brother gently teaches his little sister to swim without floaties.

Then she turns into a fish right before my eyes!

My grandfather taught me (and most of his grandchildren) to swim in this same pool many years ago.

Little girl cousins snuggle on a couch watching princess and frog movies.

Little girls have sleepovers!

Grammies and babies have sleepovers!

My grandfather (my swim coach). I love this man!

Wet beach towels are strewn all around.

Newbies.....getting accustomed to the heat.

Carlee and Gracie slow down for just a moment.

Cousins and new friends all jump together...

Boys trick the girls! Boys are sneaky like that!

A full week's fun in just four days. Making memories is what it's all about.

We said we would stay home.

We said....

NEVER! :)