Topsail Island

We spent a wonderful few days on Topsail Island, NC last week and love our annual tradition of vacationing at this beautiful beach.  We were thankful to be able to spend time with so many of our family members this year and visit with everyone.

3 generations of Mimi's girls.

These cousins grew up going to the same beach together every year since childhood (Mark joined this group 10 years ago at Topsail!)

Leah amazed us by sitting in the sand, happily entertaining herself by digging and playing with toys.  When Luke was Leah's age, he did not like to walk on or touch sand at all.  Surprisingly, our little girl did not mind being covered head to toe in sand, and even scooped up a giant fistful to put in her mouth (she won't ever do that again!).  Leah was fearless in the water, too, and walked right into the ocean, splashing and sitting in the surf.  She is at such an adorable age to don her bathing suits and floppy hats, and we loved watching her play at the beach.   

I love the rear view (and chunky legs) here.

Luke was thrilled to go in the "deep ocean" with Daddy, and talked about going fishing to catch "a shark or scuba diver."  He tried a body board and a raft in the water for the first time this year, dug huge holes in the sand, and was fascinated by the tickle crabs that he caught.

At the fishing pier. 

Surfer Luke?!

Beanie and Luke in the ocean.

My annual shot of the boys.

If nothing else illustrates how different my two children are, the following pictures will give you an idea. 

Luke's favorite activity at the beach:  Drawing a "racetrack" in the sand and running laps with Daddy.  He ran this course over and over again, pretending to be Lightning McQueen, shouting, "I AM SPEED!"

One of Leah's favorite things:  Peacefully lounging in a beach chair, relaxing and watching the waves.

Here is a slideshow of more of our Topsail Island beach pictures: