Bethany Beach '11

So this summer's trip was leaps and bounds better than last summer's, I think we can all agree.
(Sorry David. Go-to emergency sweater is bound to be pink in this family)

The weather, the spacious rented house, and little immune systems cooperated, creating the basis for a lovely week. Which we had!

We even managed to ensure the rented house would come with a new dishwasher and oven for subsequent renters. Our visit was the straw that broke the appliance camel's back, apparently. Thank us later, incoming groups of college students!

The only shadows over the trip were the cold water and the piles of dead flies on the beach (all of us meditated on Mother Nature's intent here- why would thousands of flies be spawned on the surf only to be instantaneously drowned? Talk amongst yourselves.)

I'm proud, however, to say that I courageously faced down the frigid waters on TWO occasions, joining Jackson, Maria and Anna for their daily fixes of body surfing and bobbing to stave off hypothermia. (I spent the next day walking gingerly with the sensation that my body had been stomped by big foot...will think twice before revisiting my inner kid)

Dave revealed he missed his calling to be a surgeon when Gracie got a splinter lodged in her foot. The saga of its removal ended with screams and cheers. Congrats to Gracie for character growth, and to Dave for a steady hand and remarkable imperviosness to screams!

(our impervious hero/in-house doctor)

Dolphins made an exciting appearance close to the surf on our first night. The perfect welcome!

Julia made great strides in the community pool, wowing us all with her never-before-seen swimming skills. Pretty confident she'll be doing laps before the summer's end. Now if we could just get Frankie to put her head in the water...

David's sweet debut in the pool.

Not dead, just tired from splashing and kicking.

Male bonding.

I think it's safe to say we've found our vacation destination for future summers!