The Ellington Family: Holden Beach 2009

We just got home from another wonderful vacation to Holden Beach with my family. I absolutely LOVE going to the beach and this particular one holds lots of great family memories. It's one of my favorite places and I look forward to it at the start of every summer. I actually started packing things more than a week out in anticipation. There's just nothing like sitting out in the sun with a good book while listening to the ocean waves in the background to really relax you!

But things were a bit different this year with an almost 18 month old. There was much more action and a lot less reading. There were naps to work around, swim diapers to change, and TONS of extra stuff to carry down to the beach. Thankfully, my family was more than eager to help out so David and I did get some time to relax and read (or sleep for David) and they even stayed inside with her at times while she napped so David and I could go back out and enjoy the beach sans baby.

We enjoyed spending the whole week with my parents and sister. My brother and his wife came down for part of the week, as did Heather's boyfriend and his son, Dylan. Juliann LOVES Dylan (she calls him DD) and thoroughly enjoyed playing with him while he was there. He's almost 7 but is so good with her and she just thinks the world of him. We also hung out with the White family, who usually get a house right near ours.

Although we were sad to leave on Saturday, we're also happy to be back in our own home (and Jules in her own room). I always feel like summer is over when we leave the beach even though we still have all of August. Luckily David and I still have our St. Maarten trip to look forward to in September. :)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and enjoy the pictures from our beach trip!