Be cool

You guys, I had no idea how much I needed a family vacation until I was on it. This past week at the Outer Banks with my family and Hillary's was good for my soul.

Watching our kids play together. Reliving memories. Making news ones. Laughing until I cried with Hillary while our kids looked at us and asked, "What's so funny?" My husband getting to know two of my most favorite people in the world.

It all went really well, considering we wrangled four kids - 4, 3, 2, 1 - for a week in one house. We played on the beach in the morning or went sightseeing. Let the kids nap in the afternoon while the adults read, napped or chatted. Made dinner together. It was all so relaxing and low key and made me feel better about life. It also made me realize that Hillary really needs to live closer to me. No pressure, Hill. Just sayin'.

Peanut was so enamored with The Boy, insisting that they hold hands, or snuggle on the couch. The husband's head was ready to explode but words cannot describe how adorable it was.

The littles, on the other hand, were not too impressed with each other. Beastie (who the husband took to calling Baby Jim Gaffigan, because he totally is) was besieged but Gizmo's constant smacking upside the head. She annoyed him the entire week but he took it pretty well.

Every time Hill's boys called me Aunt Shell, I wanted to cry tears of joy. In fact, I'm tearing up just thinking about it now.

I could take up four posts with pictures but here are some of the best:

View from the back deck.

 Gizmo's first time on the beach.

 For some reason she kept assuming this pose during the week. Also? She purposefully ate A LOT of sand. I don't even know...

 Hugs on the first day.

 I know.

Snuggles.

All of our (not) brats.

 The only photo of me from the week. Look at that cute family moment I caught with Hillary, Mike and Beastie.

The littles actually playing together. I'm pretty sure someone got smacked during this interaction.

Gizmo is soooooo big.

Kite flying.

Out and about driving over a bridge.

Making sand angels.

By the end of the week, we started telling Peanut, "no means no" because she wouldn't leave this poor boy alone.

This is what happens after a week at the beach.

Digging a big hole with the dads a la Joey on Friends.

Baby Gaffigan.

Hillary got the best photo of the week but I will let her share it. Just let me say that I plan to use it when Peanut and The Boy get married.

One morning on the beach, Hillary and I looked over to see two older couples sans children playing bocce ball. We both watched them wistfully as our little monsters ran around, ate sand, smacked each other and needed pulled from the water. Some day, we will be like those couples, enjoying the peace and quiet of the beach. But for now, I'll enjoy the crazy that comes with raising kids.