How is it even possible that today is my last day at the beach?  Time truly flies when you’re with the ones you love.

It has been a wonderful and relaxing week of reading and relaxing.  Just what I needed!

And despite all the 45 spf sunscreen and sitting under a shade umbrella, I’ve still got a pretty solid South Carolina tan. 

It’s fun to think ahead to 10 or 20 years, when I can pull out these pictures and tell our little boy – “that was you in my belly!”  Even though I know that life will only get more exciting and joyful once our baby arrives, it has been fun to do a few “lasts” as just the two of us as well.

And speaking of lasts, after two solid months of being literally side by side, today is the last day Sarah and I have together this summer.  I can’t even think about it – too sad.

One more afternoon of sunshine, and I’ll be back in my cozy bed in Seattle tonight.

Happy weekend to you all!

We’ve been doing a lot of this.

For some reason I rarely read at home, but I can do it all day when I’m on vacation.  At home I always feel like instead of reading I should be doing something else – working, cleaning, walking, etc.  But at the beach I am content to put on a big floppy sunhat and stare at my book all day long.

For anyone who cares, I am currently alternating between Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth (serious and non-fiction), and Jennifer Weiner’s Then Came You (girly fiction).  It’s my first time taking my Nook to the beach, and I love it!  So convenient to carry so many books in one little device.

This beach is really quiet and uncrowded – just how I like it.

Back in 2003, I lived in a beach house on Topsail Island, NC for four months after graduating college.  My best friend and I rented a tiny little cottage and worked as hotel maids to support ourselves.  Hands down the best summer of my life.  Being here reminds me so much of that summer!

No family beach trip is complete without group family photos, right?  We did ours on Monday night.  Rather than all do the matching outfits, we just wore whatever we wanted and luckily all ended up pretty well coordinated.

I hear lots of horror stories from others about in-laws and other family drama.  While every family has it’s quirks, I feel really blessed to have two wonderful families that I adore.  The Malones make me feel so loved and welcomed.  And everyone is so excited about the newest Malone!

Casey and I have a very similar picture to this one from the Bellagio in Las Vegas a month ago.  Funny to see how much bigger my bump looks now in the same dress!

My summer family.

And adorable in-laws.

Handsome fellas.

And such a fun group of girls.

Casey and I thought it would be fun to head down to the beach to get a few more pictures.  Once we got there, we realized that the wind was going to make getting a decent shot very difficult!

Beautiful sunset in the background, even if my hair is going a little crazy.

Sarah and I tried to get a picture too, but two sets of long hair made for a windy disaster.

At least the scenery was cooperating.

Casey felt that Baby C deserved his own portrait.

There is something about the beach that just makes me feel like I’m home.  I keep telling Casey I need an old rusty typewriter and a breezy beach porch so I can sit down and write my great novel.  :)

Please don’t make me leave.