amazing week

Sikora cousins 2011

We were excited for the week, but couldn't possibly have anticipated the amount of fun, laughter, and awesome comments our kids would surround us with.  To say the least, the kids were FISH.  Will, Isa and Gabi were down by the beach almost every moment they could be (we occasionaly had to haul them in for meals and a break from the sun!).  Will and Isa tried boogie boarding, went on several kayak trips (some only FEET away from dolphins), and swan in the ocean when it was calm!  On some of the calm days, even Gabi was out in the ocean with just her floaties! 

Isa tagged Annie as her "best friend" for the trip and loved splashing and laughing with her in and out of the ocean.  Will battled his uncles with swords, helped with sand castles and loved playing by the water.  Gabi just went along with the flow... swimming, playing with sand, and playing with her cousins!  Although there were 25 Sikoras there, our family tried at times to focus on our lil vacation.  We took the kids to the pier, took them on kayak trips and had special one-on-one times with them by the water. 

The evenings were filled with laughter and chaos during our great meals.  7 days, with awesome meals from spaghetti and steak, grilled chicken and nachos, lasagna, flank steak and roasted veggies, brats and salad, to a great taco bar.  Every homemade meal better than the next, luckily Tobin and I were earlier in the week, so we just got to enjoy the meals the last half of vacation! 

We will always look back on this past week with fond memories.  It was a blessing to have all of Tobin's side of the family be able to make it.  To have all 8 little cousins together was heartwarming.  Being able to just focus on relaxing and having fun was priceless.   Our family truly had a wonderful time.

Here are some little things and comments I hope to never forget:
the air dart game; kayaking right by the dolphins (a moment in my life that was truly breathtaking); watching my lil fish enjoying the sand and water; Will's comment "this is Amazing" and "this was the funnest day ever, ever, ever"; star tipping; snow cones by the ocean; water front work-outs; Will and Isa "saving" everyone; little ones first reactions to the ocean; sword battles; princess dress-ups; nightly get-together; build-your-own sundae desserts; Popsicles; boogie boarding; the "man cave" (or hiding spot); the great days of sunshine!

I took over 1200 pictures... after editing got them down to 770.... so needless to say... picking my favorites is real hard!  Here is a brief look at our week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the whole gang... all 25!