Samantha's first blog

pamelamyers | September 5, 2015

Our last few days – how is it possible? The summer comes to a close so fast. But we are lucky, we fill it with as many memories as we can.

The beach was beautiful and we had such a relaxing, fun time.

Ryder got super sandy –

Maddox got a turn getting buried in the sand –

Sam spent some quality time with Pop Pop –

One night, Mark took the kids out to fly kites. Sam and Maddox quickly got the hang on holding on until Mark said, “Let go!” and it would go flying into the air. Stunt kites are so much more fun than regular ones.

Mark gave each kid a turn trying to fly the kite. Generally, he held the strings along with them, but Maddox  wanted to try on his own.

When Mark was doing some solo flying, Sam and Maddox played king of the hill on a huge pile of sand that is being used to build up the dunes.

We grabbed the opportunity to jump in the lifeguard chair for some pictures. We haven’t done that in ages!

Captain Sam, sailing her ship 🙂

Krista eventually got a turn but not for long before the kiddos took over again.

We had some interesting times on the beach. There was a guy not far from us fishing in the ocean. He caught some sand sharks!

Sam got to touch one, and I thought she would burst from excitement. It was fun watching them go off into the water, their little fins showing.

Sharks or no sharks, in the water we go! Although to be fair, the sharks weren’t exactly the people-eating kind, so….

We did it all this trip, riding rides, playing games. Sam and her dad had a good time shooting the dinosaurs. 🙂

Skee ball, of course! Sam is getting a bit better and actually got one ball in for some points!

She loves this game where you pretend to fish. All she knows is it’s somewhat easy, and she gets lots of tickets. It’s all about the tickets. And the eventual prizes.

Ice cream at Yum Yums, another favorite. So many choices! As if she is going to eat anything other than vanilla or chocolate, but ya gotta look!

Ice cream headache!

With her Gumby and Pokey. She talked me into buying those for her. It’s hard to believe they are still around.

One last visit to the turtle.

And home we go. I love this rock star pose.

Our family 🙂

One morning, while Mark and I took a bike ride, Krista took the kids miniature golfing. Sam had never done it before, and she loved it!

The next day, Sam wanted some Mommy-Sammy time, so we went out together. She wanted to take me golfing. She was so excited to show me everything. I think she feels like she is a pro now.

It was a lot of fun, though, having her “show me what to do.”

I will say, her technique needs some work. We’ve got to get her Poppy on that, stat!

This is where Sam got her whole in one!! Yes, an actual whole in one! I was so proud of her. She couldn’t believe it!

Well, we’ll be back next year, I am sure, but in the meantime, the photos and memories will have to get us through the winter! Bye beach! See you soon!

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pamelamyers | September 5, 2015

Well, this was it. Our last trip down the shore for the year. When Krista and Adam told us their week was essentially the first week in September, it seemed so far away! And, yes, it was, but it was also great. Having one last vacation right as summer was coming to an end. It really is the summer’s end – the kids go back to school this week! Sam did get afternoon kindergarten, which will be tough, but what can you do.

We decided to spend as much time as we could at the beach, so we left on Tuesday morning. We couldn’t wait to hit the beach!  The weather was gorgeous. We couldn’t have asked for a better week.

Sam and Mark played games again….

Sam practiced her name writing skills….

And Sam and Maddox played tic tac toe in the sand.

It really was nice all being together again. It was fun seeing little Ryder running around the beach. He just started walking not long ago, so it was super cute.

Sam made this huge swirl for a long way down the beach. She was very proud of her design.

Our first morning, we made sure to ride our bikes. The Sea Isle Promenade is so perfect. Flat and smooth as can be. Right up Sam’s alley.

A quick change at home after, and off to the beach! Sam loved spending time with Ryder. She gets such a kick out of him. It makes me wish she had a little brother or sister.

I couldn’t believe it, but Sam asked us to bury her in the sand. I thought she would hate it, but she loved it!

Then, of course, she wanted to bury me. How could I say no?

We were off to the Ocean City boardwalk that night. I wanted to make sure we went if the weather was cooperative because you just never know. You make plans to go another night and then it rains and you are sunk. Since it was our last chance for the summer, off we went. The plan was to first let the kids ride the rides together, so Pop Pop came along to make sure he got to see them. While we were waiting for the Burkes to arrive, we stopped for a picture.

Sam volunteered to go on the “baby” rides with Ryder. At first he seemed ok, but then he didn’t like it and started to cry.

We told Sam to give him a hug to make him feel better and she kept her arm around him the whole time. She is really so sweet. She is always worried about everyone else. It really took me back to when she was little and went on those boats for the first time with Maddox. He was more used to rides than she was, and Sam was the one who was afraid. Boy, times have certainly changed. My big girl.

Maddox and Sam unanimously picked the Thomas train ride next so off we went. Mark and I sat in back so we could see their faces as we went around, high above the Wonderland rides.

This little train car is not part of the ride, but sits right outside the entrance. What a great place for a photo of our two train engineers!

I don’t think Ryder liked the idea of too many rides…maybe next year.

Sam wanted to go in her favorite, the spooky house, so I took the kids. Sam loved it, but despite Maddox’s saying he wasn’t scared, I’m not too sure about that.

Adam took Maddox on the roller coaster. Sam wanted NO part of it! I’m kind of glad because I can’t say I’m really a roller coaster girl myself.

These little motorbike rides were new and Sam wanted to drive with her Daddy.  Vroom Vroom!

Krista got the pleasure of spinning around like a maniac. Although, I think she spun the kids more than they were expecting. Sam and Maddox loved it!

Last ride of the night for the group was the carousel. Ryder was all set, tickets in hand.

I don’t know how many years Mark and I have been riding this thing. I should find a picture of one of our first years. Boy, would that make us feel old! But Mark is still looking pretty good, I must say. 😉

Ryder seemed to like it at first, but then…not so much.

Sam loved her horse, as always!

After everyone else left, we decided to walk the boards a bit. We went to Fralinger’s (of course) to buy candy and Sam found her favorite salt water taffy. Maybe one day she’ll actually try one of the things.

The Christmas shop was next. Sam loves looking at all the moving decorations. I still remember every time we visit that store how years ago, we were almost off the boardwalk, and Sam cried and cried because she didn’t get to say goodbye to them and I had to run all the way back down to the store with her so she could say goodbye while my mom and Mark waited at the car. I am sure a lot of people would think I was crazy for doing that, but she is such a sensitive little soul. Now, she just loves looking at them and pushing all the buttons to make them go.

Final stop of the night, the Ferris Wheel. Sam begged and begged us to do it, even though it was getting late. She said it was something our family always does together, and she is right.

I am so lucky to have this amazing girl. I love you, Sammy.

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