Samantha's first blog

Goodbye Beach!

pamelamyers | September 5, 2015

Our last few days – how is it possible? The summer comes to a close so fast. But we are lucky, we fill it with as many memories as we can.

The beach was beautiful and we had such a relaxing, fun time.

Ryder got super sandy –

Maddox got a turn getting buried in the sand –

Sam spent some quality time with Pop Pop –

One night, Mark took the kids out to fly kites. Sam and Maddox quickly got the hang on holding on until Mark said, “Let go!” and it would go flying into the air. Stunt kites are so much more fun than regular ones.

Mark gave each kid a turn trying to fly the kite. Generally, he held the strings along with them, but Maddox wanted to try on his own.

When Mark was doing some solo flying, Sam and Maddox played king of the hill on a huge pile of sand that is being used to build up the dunes.

We grabbed the opportunity to jump in the lifeguard chair for some pictures. We haven’t done that in ages!

Captain Sam, sailing her ship 🙂

Krista eventually got a turn but not for long before the kiddos took over again.

We had some interesting times on the beach. There was a guy not far from us fishing in the ocean. He caught some sand sharks!

Sam got to touch one, and I thought she would burst from excitement. It was fun watching them go off into the water, their little fins showing.

Sharks or no sharks, in the water we go! Although to be fair, the sharks weren’t exactly the people-eating kind, so….

We did it all this trip, riding rides, playing games. Sam and her dad had a good time shooting the dinosaurs. 🙂

Skee ball, of course! Sam is getting a bit better and actually got one ball in for some points!

She loves this game where you pretend to fish. All she knows is it’s somewhat easy, and she gets lots of tickets. It’s all about the tickets. And the eventual prizes.

Ice cream at Yum Yums, another favorite. So many choices! As if she is going to eat anything other than vanilla or chocolate, but ya gotta look!

Ice cream headache!

With her Gumby and Pokey. She talked me into buying those for her. It’s hard to believe they are still around.

One last visit to the turtle.

And home we go. I love this rock star pose.

Our family 🙂

One morning, while Mark and I took a bike ride, Krista took the kids miniature golfing. Sam had never done it before, and she loved it!

The next day, Sam wanted some Mommy-Sammy time, so we went out together. She wanted to take me golfing. She was so excited to show me everything. I think she feels like she is a pro now.

It was a lot of fun, though, having her “show me what to do.”

I will say, her technique needs some work. We’ve got to get her Poppy on that, stat!

This is where Sam got her whole in one!! Yes, an actual whole in one! I was so proud of her. She couldn’t believe it!

Well, we’ll be back next year, I am sure, but in the meantime, the photos and memories will have to get us through the winter! Bye beach! See you soon!

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The last hurrah of summer

pamelamyers | September 5, 2015

Well, this was it. Our last trip down the shore for the year. When Krista and Adam told us their week was essentially the first week in September, it seemed so far away! And, yes, it was, but it was also great. Having one last vacation right as summer was coming to an end. It really is the summer’s end – the kids go back to school this week! Sam did get afternoon kindergarten, which will be tough, but what can you do.

We decided to spend as much time as we could at the beach, so we left on Tuesday morning. We couldn’t wait to hit the beach! The weather was gorgeous. We couldn’t have asked for a better week.

Sam and Mark played games again….

Sam practiced her name writing skills….

And Sam and Maddox played tic tac toe in the sand.

It really was nice all being together again. It was fun seeing little Ryder running around the beach. He just started walking not long ago, so it was super cute.

Sam made this huge swirl for a long way down the beach. She was very proud of her design.

Our first morning, we made sure to ride our bikes. The Sea Isle Promenade is so perfect. Flat and smooth as can be. Right up Sam’s alley.

A quick change at home after, and off to the beach! Sam loved spending time with Ryder. She gets such a kick out of him. It makes me wish she had a little brother or sister.

I couldn’t believe it, but Sam asked us to bury her in the sand. I thought she would hate it, but she loved it!

Then, of course, she wanted to bury me. How could I say no?

We were off to the Ocean City boardwalk that night. I wanted to make sure we went if the weather was cooperative because you just never know. You make plans to go another night and then it rains and you are sunk. Since it was our last chance for the summer, off we went. The plan was to first let the kids ride the rides together, so Pop Pop came along to make sure he got to see them. While we were waiting for the Burkes to arrive, we stopped for a picture.

Sam volunteered to go on the “baby” rides with Ryder. At first he seemed ok, but then he didn’t like it and started to cry.

We told Sam to give him a hug to make him feel better and she kept her arm around him the whole time. She is really so sweet. She is always worried about everyone else. It really took me back to when she was little and went on those boats for the first time with Maddox. He was more used to rides than she was, and Sam was the one who was afraid. Boy, times have certainly changed. My big girl.

Maddox and Sam unanimously picked the Thomas train ride next so off we went. Mark and I sat in back so we could see their faces as we went around, high above the Wonderland rides.

This little train car is not part of the ride, but sits right outside the entrance. What a great place for a photo of our two train engineers!

I don’t think Ryder liked the idea of too many rides…maybe next year.

Sam wanted to go in her favorite, the spooky house, so I took the kids. Sam loved it, but despite Maddox’s saying he wasn’t scared, I’m not too sure about that.

Adam took Maddox on the roller coaster. Sam wanted NO part of it! I’m kind of glad because I can’t say I’m really a roller coaster girl myself.

These little motorbike rides were new and Sam wanted to drive with her Daddy. Vroom Vroom!

Krista got the pleasure of spinning around like a maniac. Although, I think she spun the kids more than they were expecting. Sam and Maddox loved it!

Last ride of the night for the group was the carousel. Ryder was all set, tickets in hand.

I don’t know how many years Mark and I have been riding this thing. I should find a picture of one of our first years. Boy, would that make us feel old! But Mark is still looking pretty good, I must say. 😉

Ryder seemed to like it at first, but then…not so much.

Sam loved her horse, as always!

After everyone else left, we decided to walk the boards a bit. We went to Fralinger’s (of course) to buy candy and Sam found her favorite salt water taffy. Maybe one day she’ll actually try one of the things.

The Christmas shop was next. Sam loves looking at all the moving decorations. I still remember every time we visit that store how years ago, we were almost off the boardwalk, and Sam cried and cried because she didn’t get to say goodbye to them and I had to run all the way back down to the store with her so she could say goodbye while my mom and Mark waited at the car. I am sure a lot of people would think I was crazy for doing that, but she is such a sensitive little soul. Now, she just loves looking at them and pushing all the buttons to make them go.

Final stop of the night, the Ferris Wheel. Sam begged and begged us to do it, even though it was getting late. She said it was something our family always does together, and she is right.

I am so lucky to have this amazing girl. I love you, Sammy.

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Happy Birthday, Mom! (Beach Day 7 – the last day)

pamelamyers | July 24, 2015

Our last day at the beach. It was one of the nicest days. It is like the beach and the ocean are trying to beg you to stay, just a little longer. Come on….you know you want to….it’s so nice here….

Believe me, if we could have stayed, I think we would have! I have no idea what she was trying to talk me into here, but she probably succeeded.

Ryder had a blast this year, that’s for sure! He was so little last year that he couldn’t really do anything, but this year he was ready to go! Covered from head to toe in sand….

I think Sam enjoyed Ryder’s little pool more than he did!

One of our many relaxing moments. It really was so much easier this year. Sam amused herself a lot and we sort of took turns amusing her when she didn’t.

Kite flying time again!

The house we stayed in had a sort of beach paddle ball set. Mark thought Sam might like it. It took her a while, but she did get the hang of it and loved it. I think we might be buying one of these for ourselves for future years. She is obsessed with the idea of playing tennis, so maybe this is the next best thing.

Mark bought Sam a new shovel this year. It was a huge hit, not only with Sam, but with all of us. It really makes it easy to dig, and we do a lot of digging. Mark always taught Sam to fill in the wholes before leaving the beach because you leave nature the way you found it, and I will say, she always fills them in.

Our last day at the beach was also my mom’s 70th birthday so we all went out to a nice Italian restaurant to celebrate.

After dinner was ice cream. Sam decided she liked Grandmom’s more than her own so she snagged quite a few licks of Grandmom’s cone. As you can see. Yikes.

That night at the ice cream place, Marita’s, was a charity event so it was really crowded but Sam didn’t mind, since there were tons of games and music set up for everyone to enjoy.

Bedtime, but not before giving Grandmom a gift. But really, it is our gift that Grandmom comes on vacation with us every year. Thanks for giving Sam such amazing memories. Happy Birthday!

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Hitting the Rides (Day 6)

pamelamyers | July 23, 2015

Before it got too busy, and too cold up there (the wind can be brutal), we decided to ride the Ferris Wheel. When I think back to how many years Mark and I rode that by ourselves, and how many years we have now been able to take Sam, boy oh boy, I am getting old! We all love the Ferris Wheel, Sam included. I don’t know what we would do if she didn’t enjoy it. Look at that gorgeous face! Hers, not mine. Geez.

Little Miss Sassy Pants. Oh, the boys are going to have to look out!

After the Ferris Wheel, we went on an old favorite, the spinning bears. They are pretty low key, as long as you don’t mind some mild spinning. Why does she like all the spinning? If she is a roller coaster kid, I am doomed.

Sam wanted to ride a new ride this time, the Crazy Submarine. Not so crazy, but she liked it. It just went up and down in a sort of slow, circular motion. Sam actually said if you didn’t look out the window, it didn’t even feel like it was moving. She’s kind of right. Boring, but she says she wants to go on it again next time. Go figure.

Last stop of the night, and last ride of the trip — the Carousel. Yet another ride Mark and I always shared when we were a Two and not a Three. Riding the Carousel instantly turns her into the 5 year old kid she is. No sass, no grown up behavior, just a little kid riding a horse and loving every minute of it.

The joy on her face makes every penny spent on vacation 100% worth it.

Sam and Mark stopped to take in the view while my mom and I went to get some refreshments.

Sam was so excited to tell me when I got back that she saw bunnies! Beach bunnies! (And not the bikini clad kind). They are hard to see in this picture, but the little brown spots are there in the dunes. Three of them, just hanging out. Sam has the best eyes. Even in the dim light, she spied bunnies.

It was hard to leave, but it was getting late and it was time to go. Bye Boardwalk! See you soon!

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On the Boardwalk (Day 6)

pamelamyers | July 23, 2015

We had to go to Ocean City again, once is never enough. We planned on a nice long visit this time and we warned Sam it would be a lot of walking if she wanted to have a good time! She was completely up for it, excited and ready to go.

We really took our time strolling the boards and taking in the sights. And no, the striped shirts were not exactly planned…I love Sam’s cool girl look. I can just see her walking along when she is 16. God help me.

We always have to pose for some pics in front of the ocean.

Our beautiful girl.

I am not sure what was going on, but there were a ton of mascots on the boardwalk. Salt Water Taffy at Shriver’s was one of Sam’s favorites. She wanted a little stuffed version of him last year and I wouldn’t buy her one since she doesn’t even eat the darn things, but this year she still wanted it, so I caved. I figure if a year later she is still begging, she must really want it.

She loved the train too. But most of all, she was super excited to see…

Julia!!!!! That was a most unexpected surprise. Julia and her mom and brother got a last minute invite for a few days from a family member and they found each other on the boardwalk. What are the odds!