Four Month/ Beach week

On Maya's 4 month birthday Taylor (my cousin), Maya, and I headed to the beach for the O'Shields 26th consecutive family beach week. Unfortunately Joey had to travel to Toronto to work for the week so he was unable to make it. But, about 20 people on my mom's side of the family converged on Garden City on July 11th for the week. My mom and dad didn't get there until Sunday, so I sure was glad to see them and have some helping hands with Maya. Although I didn't have to look hard to find helping hands, there was about 40 of them anytime I turned around or Maya made the slightest complaint- which lent itself to a very spoiled baby when I got home! This was little Macy's first trip to the beach, so it was a blast to have Maya and Macy together, we would just stick them under the tent at the beach and they would hang out together. One of the highlights of the week was celebrating my Granddad O'Shields 80thbirthday. We had a cookout in the back yard overlooking the inlet. Janey, my mom's cousin, her daughter, grandson, and son made the trip from Columbia to join us and surprise Granddad. Another highlight was going to the water park. We had a blast; Becky, Adam, Blakeley, Adam, Kristin, and I went- the grandparents did a little babysitting (Thanks!)! It had been years since the last time I made it to the waterpark, and I could definitely tell- there are A LOT of stairs! I remember running up and down those stairs like it was nothing when I was little- not so much the case this time! Highlight number three would be getting to see my friends Erica and Tommy and their precious baby girl Addie (21 months). I went to school with with Erica from Elementary school through Clemson. We were in 5th grade together, which was the year I moved to Lexington, and she was one of my first friends in Lexington. It was wonderful to get to see her family including her parents and brother and catching up with her. What a blessing good friends are! Maya had a couple of first this week, she rolled over for the first time from back to front on July 15th to a crowd of applause from the entire family, and she perfected "blowing bubbles." Although, for Maya it isn't so much "blowing bubbles" it is more spitting very loudly with a couple of bubbles thrown in here or there. Family beach week has been such a blessing in my life and has taught me many great lessons about the importance of family. Thanks Granddad and Grandmom O'Shields!! We love you!!