My mother complained bitterly about being at the beach the LAST time we all converged upon Fenwick Island a couple years ago when my dad turned 80. We were surprised when she said she wanted to go again for her own 80th birthday. This time around my parents weren’t able to actually make it onto the beach, though one morning they managed to make it to the top of a sand dune so that they were able to take in the view of the ocean. They tried to pretend they weren’t having any fun at all…

But they couldn’t fool us…

It was impossible not to be happy with these two around…

Even when it rained, the cutest little mushroom popped up to make us smile.

I loved watching the cousins forge bonds with each other…

And I loved seeing the older cousins have the chance to be caregivers to the younger ones…

My daughter’s favorite part of the week was having a surprise family birthday party a few days before the actual day…

We were sad to leave the beach…

But we were glad to have just a little more time with my brother’s family…

The dream is over…

Until next time!