Steed Family Beach Vacation 2009

Last week was our 5th annual Steed beach vacation. Actually, more than 5 beach vacations have been taken by the Steed family, but I have only been apart of 5 thus far:) This year, sadly, Ben and his family were unable to make it, due to a wedding in Illinois. You all were greatly missed! It was just not the same without you.



Janel, the boys and I left on Sunday afternoon as did Tom and Linda, for Blue Mountain Beach. We were blessed to vacation at the same beach house the past 3 years, due to the generosity of a family in Auburn, who will remain nameless. We love this place! Zach and Josh came in late Tuesday night and we all enjoyed a great week at the beach. The weather was perfect, sunny and breezy every single day, barely a cloud in the sky.

We Steeds follow a certain pattern in beach vacations and this year was no different. A typical vacation day:

7-9 am: Wake up (earlier if you are Papa Tom or a little one), eat breakfast on the porch, laze around the house

9-10 am: Lotion up to go to the beach

10-1: Beach time! Lots of reading under the tents, playing in the ocean and sand, baseball, frisbee, sunbathing, walks, biking etc

1-3 pm: Rest time, naps, break from the sun

3-5 pm: Pool time! Diving for toys, swim lessons, floating, more sunbathing, lots of fun and cannonballs

5-6 pm: Showers/dinner preparation (a yummy homemade dinner almost every night)

The rest of the evening is usually filled with walks, Internet time, movies, chatting, eating gobs of ice cream.

Relaxing in the shade

Easton enjoying the ocean

Tucker was a great digger!

Not sure if he is enjoying or not!

Look at the concentration!


Daily baseball game


Josh and Tucker in the deep end


Family Jump (Janel don't kill me, it was such a good picture I couldn't leave it out!)


Easton belly-flopping and lovin' it


What Easton liked to do with the water gun


The Enforcer

A perfect vacation to me! Wednesday night we did eat out at Old Florida Fish House to celebrate the anniversary of Tom and Linda's engagement. It was delicious! Thursday night we ventured out as well for putt-putt golfing and shopping. Josh came home the big winner of the night, beating us all at golf (barely) and now toting a new big screen TV (Thanks to a call from Tom!). We also got to visit with some dear friends, Kristy and Will, which was a lot of fun. It really was a wonderful relaxing week! Look forward to it again next year!

Enjoying putt-putt

Tired golfers!

Me, Kristy and Will

Our daily attire

**NERD ALERT - Feel free to stop reading here if you like!

This next little bit is for my family, specifically my brother and sister. It is a well known fact in our family circle, that I am not a strong swimmer, nor do I love getting my hair wet/face in the water, etc. Another interesting fact is that I have never "jumped" or "dived" into a pool. Had a pool growing up, yes, but could never quite get my feet off of the deck. Yes, this is very dorky I know, but it is true, and has been a family joke for YEARS. So much so, that my sister got me goggles for my birthday last year and I have yet to use them (even though we have a pool).
So this is for you all.........enjoy and be amazed!

Goggles on! I actually have a progression of pictures that include some underwater shots but I won't subject you or I to that (they resemble the Bitter Beer Face man more than myself)

Cannonball!! It is amazing what you will do when a 4 year old and 6 year old chant for you to jump, after "showing you how" several times. Had to be brave Aunt Rachel!


"Thrill of Victory" face

To my credit (and I have witnesses) I did do several more cannonballs after this one, with prompting, and they turned out a little better:) Ok, enough embarrassment for today! Have a good one!