Beauty and the Beach

Yesterday afternoon, Mom, Dad and I returned home after our Labor Day weekend trip to the Washington Coast – Copalis Beach, to be specific. It’s the same spot that Mom has been spending Labor Day with her family since she was about my age, so it’s obviously a special place for her.

Not surprisingly, she also wants it to be a special place for me. And after just one trip (unless you count this photo from last Labor Day), I think it’s a safe bet that it will be. To say I got a little excited by playing on the beach and seeing the Pacific Ocean is the understatement of the year.

Throw in some model rocket launches, catapulting objects from a homemade trebuchet created by my Grandpa, swimming in the pool, horseshoes, beach volleyball games, some killer bagpipe music and leisurely walks (that is, leisurely for me in the comfort of a backpack) on the beach, and you’ve got yourself a memorable family weekend.

Dad documented the events of the weekend with his camera, and he graciously allowed me to share some of them with you here. Enjoy!

With Mom leading the way on Friday afternoon, I glimpse the beach and the Pacific for the first time.

Effortlessly destroying a sandcastle as, for the first time, I feel big.

My Uncle P.J., cousin Jackson, Auntie Sarah and cousin Brooklyn.

"Hi Mom!"

After a hard hour of playing on the beach, I've earned these green beans.

It's 7 a.m. Saturday morning, and we're ready for a walk on the beach!

Nice and bundled up with Mom.

It's Saturday afternoon, and I'm busy eating sand and watching rocket launches. All in a day's work.

"Whaddaya mean I can't go out there by myself?"

As I tried to sit on the beach, I lost my balance and toppled over.
Dad had a choice of catching me or snapping a photo. Guess which one he chose.

Uncle P.J. shows off his excellent firefighting skills by carrying me to get a closer view of the ocean.

Then he helped me try to walk.

And that night, he played his bagpipes on the shore of the creek that cuts through the beach. Is there anything he can't do?

Mom and Dad had to bring out the big guns to keep me warm while we watched him play.

Sunday afternoon: More beach time!

Uncle Ben prepares to launch a tennis ball from the trebuchet.

The rest of the group eagerly awaits the next launch.

We also launched partially filled water balloons.
Here, my cousin Brooklyn tests one to make sure it's heavy enough to fire.

Meanwhile, I tried to eat everything I found on the beach, including this tennis ball.

Exploring the beach.

More exploring.

Watching the action from a safe distance.

"Get that camera out of my face!"

Family picture.

It's Monday morning and I'm again up early, so we go for a walk in my stroller.
From the look on my face, walks are serious business.

Enjoying Grandpa's favorite bench.

Cheese!

Apparently I'm going the wrong way.