4th of July at the Beach

So the last full day of our trip was the 4th of July. This was the first year I can remember spending the 4th at the beach. It was a lot of fun. Mimi and I woke up that morning before everyone else and decided to walk across the street to have breakfast at a little cafe and watch the parade the town puts on. It was cute and Mimi had fun, but I forgot to grab my camera, so no photos, oops.

Then Katie took Mimi into Seaside with her to walk around and shop and take some photos. The "daytime" 4th of July outift I had prepared for Mimi to wear was too big, so I threw together a last minute patriotic ensemble, and I ended up loving the snaps Katie took of her in it.

Then  it was time for more beach playing. And of course Mimi had to break out her patriotic bikini.

We spent the whole day soaking up the sun on our last day on the beach and came in that evening to get dressed for the night's events in town and to take a few beach photos. We were so glad to have Katie there to do this for us. It's a blessing having such a good photog in the family!

Some of us weren't feeling it.



 But a bribe of some Skittles quickly took care of that.

Someone had dug a giant hole in the sand so we decided to do a "Jolliest Juniors" yearbook photo, ha.

The water was perfect, but a bunch of sea grass and stuff had washed up on the beach. I thought it would ruin our pics, but I kind of like it.

After our quick photo shoot, we went to town for Seaside's 4th of July festivities. Talk about unprepared! It was SO crowded. We totally should have gone earlier in the day and set up our spot in the grass in the ampitheater. There were tons of people there. We ended up sitting at a picnic table in front of my fave air stream food trailer, Barefoot BBQ, and we were able to listen to the band, eat, people-watch and we had a great view of the fireworks. I am still thinking about that BBQ and wishing I had some right now.

 Mimi was just glad to enjoy her Skittles for being such a good little model in our photos. Whatever it takes, y'all. For the memories.

Blurry pic I snapped of Mimi and Katie watching the fireworks.

 

Better pic Katie snapped of Mimi and I watching the fireworks.

I worried Mimi would be afraid of the loud popping, but she loved it. I adore fireworks, and it was the best show I have ever seen. We haven't talked about when we will go back next year, but I wouldn't mind going back for the 4th again for the fireworks alone. Someone was singing the national anthem on the stage behind us, the fireworks were gorgeous, I had my sweet family with me, and I'm not going to lie, I got chill bumps and a litle teary-eyed thinking of how blessed I am. Of course, I had to snap out of it when Amelia announced she had to poop and we had to scurry around to find a bathroom, ha. Nothing like life with a toddler to keep you on your toes.

Until next year, Seaside!