family + vacation = fun!

Summer vacation #1.
The Grant family on the beach.

This past weekend the Grants packed up everything but the kitchen sink and headed to PEI.  I had forgotten how much I love the gentle island until we arrived and a very welcome peace came over me.   The sun was shining, the trees were sparkling and the ocean!!  Oh, just being close to the water gives me such a calm feeling.  We're already talking about when we can go back!  (that's a good sign!)

Ruby was a trooper the whole time and proved to be a very good cottage-sleeper.  We prepped her in advance with talk about going to the cottage and going to the beach and sleeping in her big-girl bed for the very first time.  Miss Ruby did not disappoint.  I don't think the smile came off her face for two seconds the entire time we were there.  (not even when the construction on the bridge held us up and it took over an hour to get from NB to PEI..... she must have said, "I'm going to the beach" about seven hundred times ...)

In the van leaving Moncton.

Taken minutes after arriving - this beautiful smile didn't fade all weekend.  

The trip was pretty special in a few ways.....

One - it was our very first family vacation as a foursome.  We tried a camping trip with Ruby last summer but the weather didn't cooperate so it was cut short.  This time around the weather was perfect.  Crisp, sunny autumn weather.  Still warm enough to allow for a trip to the beach (no swimming) but cool enough to spread some dew on the grass and require a sweater in the evenings.  The only thing I would change is leaving earlier in the day on Friday to make the weekend a little bit longer.  Next time we'll plan to leave in the morning rather than at noon.  

Leo the Beach Bum. 

Second - it was our first extended visit with the other Grants - Papa Grant and Nanlynn.  They live in Saint John and come to visit us often but the stays are generally pretty quick.  Nothing can top this trip (except maybe a longer cottage vacation next summer!).  Bill and Lynn were renting a cottage just down the lane so Ruby got some real quality time with them.  I think some great memories were made by all.  It was a special time.  Our kids are so fortunate to have three sets of grandparents to love.

Third - Uncle Trevor Grant was there too!!  Ryan's brother, Trevor and his girlfriend Samantha just moved to PEI from BC and also rented a cottage for one night.  We had so much fun.  I think it was special for the Grant boys on many levels, including little Leo.  Although he slept through most of it, I think he felt like part of the gang - and what a gang it is!  All that was missing was Robert and Trisha.  Maybe someday we'll be lucky enough to have a family reunion.  That shouldn't be too hard to plan.... hey?

In the mean time, we certainly are looking forward to many more Grant family vacations!

The Grants on vacation.