Jones Beach and Backyard Cookout 2013

A little more about all the fun we had on Saturday. Besides Jaime, Cory and Robin were also in town so we got together with Meagan, Lukas and Sarah and went to the beach. I have really fallen for Jones Beach. We tried Field 6 this time which I definitely like better than Field 2 for summer sunning and swimming because it's a shorter walk to the ocean.

Our friends sunning and drinking

Cory and Robin visiting!

Me and Jaime again

James and Sarah playing with sand

James hasn't gone in the ocean since last year, so I'm not sure how well he remembered it. He was really afraid of the waves at first and held on tightly to Kevin's hands, but little by little he got braver. Kevin and I took turn holding him near the water so that we could go into the ocean ourselves. James was so brave on my turn that I had to yank him out by his armpits repeatedly so he wouldn't get whisked away by the strong undercurrent..

Kevin showing James the wave

He loves it!

Mandatory family by the ocean picture

Getting him away from the ocean was tough, but eventually we persuaded him. He spent a little while playing with some other kids' toys near us. He didn't interact much with the kids themselves, but luckily the kids were very nicely mannered and let him fuss around with their buckets and shovels. He finally came back and hung out in a beach chair eating sandy apple

James chilling in a beach chair

Christina, Dan, and Hudson joined us for our cookout as well. It was so fun watching Hudson and James play together now that Hudson can walk. And they're still at that age where they have the same interests: climbing things, playing with water, and yeah that's it.

Kevin grilling out

Jaime and Christina taking a few preliminary tastes

Huson and James playing in our back yard

Hudson and James both love the water table

Sort of interacting

Chasing each other on the slide

Christina and Dan had to leave to put Hudson to bed, and I had to get James off to bedtime too. Afterwards the rest of us sat in the back drinking and listening to planes and trains go by. Eventually we came in for a semi-impromptu game night. It was so great to have everyone over. It's been a while since we had people over to go to the beach and cookout.

Eating dinner

Robin and Cory looking cool

James acting as the party DJ whether we like it or not.