Southampton, Part Deux.

We had such a wonderful time in June that when the opportunity presented itself we just had to get back to Southampton.  Unfortunately we were minus one teammate (Cavan is at Lake Ontario for Papa Papa's memorial) but a good time was had nonetheless.

We settled right back into our fantastic beach routine:  wake up with the sun (oh, wait, no that's wake up with the crowing of the Lulu).  Coffee for parents.  Breakfast for the little creatures.  Then load into the VW bus and head for the beach.  Dogs and kids play in the sand.  Peanut continues to impress with her sheer guts and athleticism.  She's an excellent surfer with razor sharp focus trained on a fuzzy green tennis ball.  Roxie prefers to relax in the sand and just do nothing.

After an hour or so we head back for Lulu's nap time.  Scrabble and lunch for mommy and daddy. Maybe even a nap for ourselves.

In the afternoon its to town for some lunch and window shopping or back to the beach (which we never, ever tire of).  After some sun and fun comes the arduous task of deciding on dinner.  With the resident chef on board one needs never to worry about going hungry (or hating the meal!).  A trip to our favorite purveyor of fresh seafood yields not only an amazing dinner but a true education on sea creatures you never dreamt of.  We love this place.  We love each other.  Rough life.

xx
The McHales

The Perfect End to a Perfect Vacation

What do you do when you're sun drenched, sleepy and far from your bed and favorite stuffed animal?  You siesta on the warm skin of your most awesome Daddy and dream of seashells with lullaby waves.  Heaven.

Beach House Amenities

So you rent a beach house in Southampton and you're going to expect a few things.  Fresh towels, a beach permit, a clean kitchen to cook your fresh seafood...stuff like that.  But how many families can say their house came with a first class Darth Vadar mask?

OK, OK....so we've been coming here for a few years now and the house (and mask) actually belong to our friend Michael.  But who are we to buck tradition?  It wouldn't be a party if someone didn't rock the Darth face.

Lulu, in true fashion, was curious but overall unfazed.

Simple Pleasures

Miles of unfettered, unpolluted and unpopulated sand.  A smashing new turquoise swimsuit and a happy, happy Mommy.

A beautiful Big Brother who learned to love Boogie Boarding and the genius of early morning, sunny, crisp surf.

And treasures more valuable than diamonds.

I Went to the Montauk Lighthouse and All I Got Was This Lousy Picture

So we decide to do something touristy for a change and go to the awesome, historic lighthouse on Montauk but do we snap a pic of the actual structure?  NO! Instead we take a photo of this beautiful weed in the mist.

Great Kids + Beautiful Beach = Blissful First Family Vacation

School ended for Big Brother Cavan Shane the last week of June and we hightailed it outta here for our first ever, solo family vacation to Southampton.  This picture pretty much sums it up.  

xx

-The Macs

Jailbreak!

Warden, warden....get me some milk!  6:30am wakeup calls in the "clink" are tough (on the parents). But this week I mastered standing up in this thing.  It won't be long before I make a clean getaway......

xx

-Lulu Mac

A Slice of Texas Heaven

So many new things to see at Grandma's house.  Famed Longhorn cows live next door. Butterflies flutter about (Hi GMB!).  And the back deck of Grandma's house is like a Balinese oasis (lovingly tended to by Grandpa).  You literally feel like you're sitting in a beautiful, lush tree house listening to a Lincoln Center-worthy symphony of cicadas, tree frogs and....other stuff (that howl when the sky goes dark and fills with Texas stars).

Plus, you have your own private bathing suite in Grandma's fresh, clean and yummy smelling laundry room.  LUXURY!

The Littlest McHale "luvs" her Grandma and Grandpa Owings AND her Texas heritage!

(We'll be back soon to enjoy the new boat on Lake Texoma....)

xx

Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmother's House We Go...

The occasion was a visit to Grandma's house and a tribute to my beloved Grandma Billye.   It was Lulu's first time on an airplane.  Luckily she had her older, wiser Big Brother along to show her the ropes.  Between the two of them they managed to charm the entire crew thus making the whole affair infinitely less stressful on the 'rents.

The first of many journeys.....

xx
Mama Mac