Em and Eric's Amazing Vacation

Em and Eric came out to visit us last week. I thought I'd share some of the highlights of our vacation (I hope they were also highlights for them).

Eric confessed to me the first night they were here that he had never been to the beach before. He has led such a sheltered life. Our first priority, therefore, was to broaden his horizons by taking him to the Santa Monica Pier, which has a carnival and - more importantly - the beach.

We walked around the pier for a while, and decided that the carousel was the ride for us. Well, maybe not all of us (I'm not permitted on rides because I'm just too pregnant and Eric's back doesn't take to carnival rides and Em was looking for a souvenir for work), maybe just the two most adventurous in the group.

Then it was time for the beach. You already know our feelings about the beach (see earlier posts about how great A thinks the beach is), so we hoped to spread such joy to Eric.

A led the way to the water, with R, Em, and Eric right behind her. Here's Eric's first ever wave from the ocean:

Very exciting! Well, even A knew that wasn't exciting enough for Eric, so she insisted on going deeper into the ocean. Eric followed, daring Em to come along. Em can't resist a dare, so she went out even deeper. Then Eric noticed something that Em did not. To capture the full impact of what happened next, please note that neither Eric nor Em are wearing swimsuits.

Yes, a large wave came (I wasn't quick enough with the camera to get the full impact), unseen by Em, who was soaked up to her shoulders. Eric did see the wave and ran away, enough that he was only soaked up to his waist. A, of course, loved every bit of the large wave, which completely covered her in R's arms.


Eric's first day at the beach (doesn't that sound like a children's book?) was a great success. They were all soaked, I got to rest in the sand without having to worry about watching any kids, and we all came away with a nice sunburn (except A, who just tanned nicely).


I don't know what the highlight of the trip for Em and Eric was, but A's highlight was story time with Uncle Eric.

She now insists that I read the book to her just like Eric did, and if I don't read it right, we have to go back and start over again. Thanks, Uncle Eric!

We are so glad that Em and Eric could take a couple of days to stay with us. We loved having them with us. When are you going to visit us?