The Mackeys: August 2008

Flashback - The Beach House at Garden City

We had so much fun at The Beach House!!!!!!

Here's the ocean-side view of the house.

Charlie on the pier, with a view of the house in the background. We saw people fishing off the pier 24 hours, and even got to touch a baby shark someone accidentally caught. We also saw a couple of funny bands playing at the bar at the end of the pier at night.

And this is the view from the house

Granny and Grandpa with (almost) all the grandchildren: Jack, Allison, Sydney, Mallory, Charlie, Sarah. Not cooperating/pictured: David

Charlie and Sarah have boogie fever Uncle John, Sydney, and Allison watch the big kids boogie and play in the wavesGrandpa: Book? Check. Corona? Check. Ocean breeze? Check. All is well.

The Swingball World Series. I forget who won, but as in the 1999 Bonnie Baby Contest at Puck Fair in Ireland, "the smart money's on Charlie Mackey"!

The Swing Ball Junior Championship: 4 and under

For the first few days, this was as close as David wanted to get to the ocean. He was worried about the waves "getting him." Keep reading, though; he becomes surfer boy by the end of the week.

Jackie and Auntie walk on the beach

Sydney in her Red Sox glasses, eating a sandwich that is all about "Crazy Vacation Rules" in the Mackey house!

How to get soaking wet without going near the ocean

David finds he can stand at the hose and all kinds of fun people will walk by for him to spray

Granny gets some beach time with mellow-mushroom Mallory and don't-let-the-water-get-me David. Mallory was the talk of the town in her shady pool by the sea.

Auntie Caroline and Jack have fun in the sun

Allie and Ally, on the deck

What's a beach house without playing cards? The boys played Uno - toddler rules. (Meaning take as many cards as you can out of the box, spread them all over the table, call out any numbers you recognize, then swipe the cards on to the floor, roll in them, and laugh your head off.)

Uncle Bryant teaches Sydney how to boogie board

Triumphant surfer girl

Auntie catches a great wave

Grandpa and Allison go for a swim

Against all odds, Brave Dave overcomes his fears. He not only goes willingly into the ocean, but he even takes up Boogie Boarding. He loved it!!

I was totally stoked, dude!

Is this fun or what??

Check mate!

Uncle is not a jungle gym. Oh wait, yes he is.

Gran Gran and Grandaddy come for a visit

Reunited

Granddaddy Lane gets a lovely shot of the Hanlon 5

Baby Hog Ally, Sarah, Uncle, and the lovely Miss Mallory

Out to dinner

I finally get my mitts on Miss Mal

Flashback - Gone Fishin'

Daddy took Charlie and Sarah fishing again. Boy do they all enjoy that! They got home at 11 pm, exhausted and smelly and full of stories, content as could be.

They also saw a few deer on the property. (Daddy says, "Eat up, y'all!")

Jefferson and Molly Meet Toonces

In the car...

Me: Hey guys, did you see that the dogs got some ID cards in the mail?
Allison: What are ID cards?
Me: You know, like a driver's license?
Sarah: Dogs can't drive!
Me: No, dogs can't drive.
Allison: Then why did they get a driver's license?
Me: The vet sent them. So that in case they get lost, ...
Allison: They can drive themselves home?
Me, laughing: No! So we have a description and picture to help us find them.
Sarah: Dogs can't drive, remember?
Charlie: Is that going on the blog?

Mutual Admiration

Me, to David: I think you're cute.
David: I think you're pretty.
Me: Thank you.
David: I think your nails are pretty. I think your head is pretty. I think your feet are pretty. I think your everything is pretty.

Flashback - David Turns Three

David was so excited when it was finally his birthday. He had a party with his friends: Gabriel, Steven, Hudson, Patrick, Peter, and James. They had a "Cars" cake, and opened presents and everyone played baseball and dinosaurs. How great is that???

Opening presents from the family

Flashback - Swimming with the Penguins

Charlie and Sarah had a great swim team season this year. They are super fast and had a ball at the few swim meets we were in town for this year. They each won lots of ribbons, including blue ribbons (first place)!

Charlie's got his game face on.

Sarah comes up for air on her free style.

Sarah's got a mean back stroke.

Charlie dives in

Sarah and Alice at the Echo Ridge meet. In sign language, this symbol means "I love you." But in Sarah language it means "I want to live in a world of rock and roll peace!" We know this, because usually she yells it as she makes her gesture.

Allison has been taking swimming lessons from Coach Amanda, and she did so well she was asked to join the Swim Team as a Junior Penguin. Here she is at the Junior Swim Meet with fellow Junior Penguin and next door neighbor, Fiona.

Fiona and Allison and another friend waitin their turn