Island Escape....

 

The summer was incredibly fun AND busy this year, but thankfully, King Tony was able to take off a little bit of time and we returned to our favorite vacation destination, Martha's Vineyard, and our beautiful 'special house' which the kids absolutely adore.  This year, we were joined by Queen Wendy's brother, Erick and his four girls, who beached, hiked, and ate their way across the island.  It was the perfect vacation, in a perfect location, that we call 'our second home.'

  

 

Our days were spent on the beach, exploring the island/nature reserves, or in the pool. Heaven!

 Dead crabs can be found along many shores. We were fortunate to get to them well before the seagulls, and took the opportunity to teach the kids about sea life and the life cycle of some creatures.  Uncle Erick oversaw the lesson... :)



Uncle Erick stands closeby to educate the children about the sea...

The kids walk the shore to discover everything from blue crabs, to horseshoe crabs, to mussels, clams, barnacles, seaweed and so much more. Fabulous days to not only get exercise and fresh air, but a lovely lesson or two along the way....

 Dining out is one of the lovely perks of vacation, and chowing on seafood and all its decadence was defintely something we were interested in partaking. The kids got to view vats of lobsters in order to pick their own. Here are the kids getting a lesson at The Net Result, and Alec and Papa waiting for our meal (cooked to order) to be delivered to our seaside table. Can you say, awesome??? :)

Beyond the beaches and pool, we also got in a few rounds of golf--mini golf to be exact. The royal kidlets took up golf this past summer--after being 'schooled' by their cousin Jenny Kate--on how to really hit the ball! It is now a summertime favorite, and our kids sought out a 'hole in one' a few times, but sadly, have not yet earned such high reward. It's a work in progress.... :)

Martha's Vineyard became the actual location for the original filming of JAWS. Anyone who has seen it can appreciate the beauty of the island. Interestingly, each summer, JAWS fans from around the world convene on the tiny locale to celebrate the creation of the film. There's even an island 'joint' called Sharkey's within which JAWS paraphernalia, and official photos from the days of original filming, line the walls for patrons' view. 

 

There's no place like the beach...there's no place like SOUTH BEACH! :)

 

Abby Pie takes on the waves!! 

 

Cousins Maryann, Lilly, Adia and Jenny Kate join in our sand-filled adventures. They look a lot better in their bathing suits though... :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Uncle Tony prepared several delicious meals fresh from the grill this summer. He's a GrillMeister!

Abby takes over the pool slide. She's fearless. Well, she's always been fearless, so we actually had to put the fear of God into her about safety...her AND her twin brothers.

 

A beautiful trip, indeed.