Beach House 2010: Balboa Island

So, a couple of years ago on our annual-Carter-beach-fest, we ventured out to Balboa Island. I loved the whole experience... but most of all, I loved the frozen banana I ate while we were there.

Well, this year since we drove our own car, I made my banana-allergic-husband drive our little family 40 minutes away from the beach house to allow me to bask in banana bliss once again. It was awesome and totally worth it.

"Jake's on Balboa."

Can you taste the greatness yet?
{I really wish I had taken a picture of an actual frozen banana so ya'll could see how perfect it really is. Kristin--I know YOU know what I'm talkin' about!}

Hello, Mr. Banana Grabber.
Arrested Development, anyone?

Beach House 2010: Kiddos and Castles

Just a few pictures of the kiddos.
And a castle.


These first few were an accident. I had the settings on my camera waaay off. But, I kinda liked them post-editing. I don't know. Maybe it's Jake's blue eyes.

Sarah blowing bubbles.

Jake liked playing in the "foot water" more than anything else.

Poppy and his boys.

Brent, Sean, and Doug built this beauty...

...Then let Jack and Jake destroy it.

Beach House 2010: Beach-Walkin'

This is the first in a series of our California trip. I took about million pictures and rather than have the three readers I have read one huge post, they'll have to read several huge long posts. {Sorry, Mom.}

We've been back for a little while now... it's so strange that the vacation we've been planning and looking forward to forever is over. Oh well-- at least we can begin looking forward to next year, right? Right.

Needless to say, we had a blast. I love, love, love my Carter family. We always have a great time together. They have always made me feel like I'm "one of them" and I can't express enough how much that means to me. I never feel like an outsider and we really like each other. I'm a lucky girl.

Anyway, one of the first things we did when we got there was take a walk along the beach. I love walking on the sand and I love the ocean. There's really nothing like it.... I really don't subscribe to the theology of astrology {Except for horoscopes. Totally legit!) but in moments like these, I can really feel my Pisces water sign coming out. I love the ocean.

Jake reaching for his daddy.

Awe...

I don't think I got many pictures of Dennis (Blaine's uncle), but here he is with Jen and Doug. We love that he comes to the beach party every year with us. It just wouldn't be the same without him.

Sean.

It's hard to see, but that's Chris in the far left. She walked with sleeping baby Sarah.

These are my guys.

Some cool driftwood. I was happy to see this actually. I remembered it from last year and wanted to take some more pictures of it.

Rocks everywhere... Jakey was in heaven.

I really like this guy.
And my squished eyeball.

Jake loooves his Poppy.

Jake stopped to play in the sand...

...And then wrote his name. He's so advanced. :)