Sunshine

For us, this has been one of the snowiest and coldest winters in a very long time. Maybe we have just been spoiled as of late with mild winters, but this season Mother Nature is definitely showing us her power.

Which made our yearly winter beach getaway that much more fun.

This year Nana and Grandpa couldn't make the trip, so we recruited some very dear friends of ours and their 8-month-old son to join us. Since they call Chicago home, it also didn't take too much convincing of them to ditch the heavy winter coats and hats for a few days of sand and sun.

Even before we approached the subject with the little man, he began asking around Christmastime when we would be going to the beach this year. It seems we have created a little beach monster.

{Of course, I guess he did have to get it from somewhere.}

So, a few weeks ago, we boarded the airplane and set off to sunnier places. We were greeted by the palm trees and the sun shining high in the sky. And the minute our feet hit the warm, white sand, all of the work and daily life responsibilities were quickly forgotten.

We lounged in the sun and dipped our feet in the ocean. Dolphins even greeted us at the beach our first day, while a whole group of them played in the shallow water near the beach.

The little man dug holes, watched them fill with water and hunted crabs. He ran in and out of the waves, laughing as as they hit his chest.

Our last day was cloudy and overcast, but that still didn't stop us from venturing down to the beach for one last sandcastle and glimpse of the ocean.

And one last beach sunset to remember.

Until next year.