It was beachfront. It was a corner property. It had an amazing view of all the coastal towns from the second floor porch. It was big. It had a "loop" for the kids. It made my happiest place on earth even more happier.
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| That's our house on the left. Directly off the beach |
We took so many pictures of our vacation and every one of the 350 fill my heart with joy. The past four years at the beach were emotional and physically challenging for me for various reason. This year I actually felt like I was on vacation. The physical demands of my kids were less, the cousins entertained each other, and I wasn't pregnant, attached to my pump, or nursing a child. It felt much easier than the last three years. I think my kids had a blast as well. Let's start the photo dump with how we spent our time at the glorious beach house.
The Porch
The Stefany clam has rarely resided on the 2nd floor while in OC. This year was different. The view from our porch made those extra steps worth it. All of us enjoyed sitting on the chairs looking at the ocean.
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| We could clearly see the casinos in Atlantic City |
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| The girls arrive and check out the view |
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| Braylen and Dadio soak it in |
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| Seriously, we couldn't get enough of the view |
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| Evie took it upon herself to take in the view alone one morning |
In the afternoons while the kids napped, Jason and I sipped a beer on the deck, soaking in the sun. All these years as I walked off the beach, I looked up at the beachfront houses envious of the families sitting on their decks. Now it was us! We loved that porch.
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| Evening ice cream party |
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| The girls having a tea party one afternoon |
The Bedrooms
The adults were pleased with how far back the bedrooms were located at this house. We could watch TV, play cards, and talk loudly without the kids hearing us. This house had ample beds. This year we went from 3 pack n plays to 1.
The girls shared the bunk bed room. Going to bed wasn't the easiest; Hannah fell asleep in G and Poppop's room every night and moved back in after Evie settled on her own. Evie volunteered to sleep on the top bunk and slept just fine. It's pretty crazy that this girl moved from a crib 6 months ago and now was sleeping on a top bunk!
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| The girls escaped to their room for play without their brothers |
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| Hannah reads Evie some books before bed. |
Cole and Braylen slept with their respective parents. Maybe someday we'll have a cousin room and let them duke it out. Until that day, we tried our best to keep nap and bedtime to their normal routines.
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| Dadio seemed to pass out putting the kids down for naps. The benefit of kids being in single beds! |
The Living Space
I can count on one hand the number of times we have eaten out in OC. Every breakfast, lunch, and dinner is sit down, family meal. We need a table big enough for all 10 of us. This house had a good set up for us. We all took turns cooking meals. The favorite meal was probably the mornings we got donuts and sticky buns from Dots Bakery.
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| Absolute silence as the girls annihilate their sprinkle donuts |
The living room had a big sectional that would probably fit all of us.
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| Watching "Despicable Me 2" |
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| Cole Bug having a "neb treatment" |
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| PJ Party! A little more "Despicable Me 2" before bed |
Another perk of this house was an extra powder room between the kitchen and living room. Not only was this super convenient for our panty/under-roo wearing 3 year olds, it created a "loop" for the kids.
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| Speaking of under-roos.... Cole walking the loop |
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| There was a basket full of shells. The kids tried listening for the ocean in all of the various shells. |
The Carport and Sidewalk
The lot across the street was under construction, which anyone with small kids knows that trucks bring minutes of entertainment.
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| Watching the construction men after a trip to the playground |
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| Checking out the big trucks after the men left |
The sidewalk and carport were perfect for bike riding, writing with chalk, and putzing around.
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IF we get invited back next year, I don't think any of us would mind staying at this house again!
3 comments:
It makes Pop Pop and I SO happy to see our girls, their husbands, and our grandkids at the shore. It's a place where we've grown up enjoying and the summer doesn't seem complete without a trip to OCNJ. The house was a good one this year. YES, you are all invited back for next year. Love you guys and we did have some great meals!! Thanks!
We love you, G and Poppop!
There- I have it in writing- we're ALL invited back next year.
I love OCNJ!
How amazing for your family to all be together every year at the beach and to have this awesome house. Looks amazing!
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