Ocean City Vacation

We're back from our family vacation to Ocean City, New Jersey (thanks to Uncle Bill who graciously allowed us to use his place for the week).

view from the boardwalk in Ocean City

We had a GREAT time! Each morning we would wake up to sound of seagulls and that distinct oceany-scented air. The house was 2 blocks from the bay in one direction and about 6 blocks from the beach and boardwalk in the other direction--perfect for walking everywhere. We went to the beach each morning after breakfast. Ella loved the sand and water. The first day when we stepped foot in the sand, Ella couldn't even wait until we got to our spot before she started sitting down in the sand to play. She was coated from head to toe with sand, and even had a few tastes of it. She said "umm...this tastes yummy." (Later in the day she was making chewing motion with her mouth and when we asked her what she was eating, she said, Sand!") The water was probably her favorite part of the beach. At first, Ella was a little timid about it, but quickly warmed up to it. She loved sitting in the sand and waiting for a wave to come up and over her legs, running in big circles on the beach, and jumping in the waves with Rob and me (She thought the boys who were coming in on boogie boards were bringing in the waves, so every time a wave would pass, she would yell, "Thank you boys uh (for) waves!" You bring more?")

Rob and Ella anxiously awaiting another wave


daddy and daughter taking in the ocean view


Ella playing in the sand


"Look, I found a shell!"


"I washing hands in sand!"


swimming in the sand

the face of surprise and excitement as a wave washes in


waiting for the best waves


standing in the water


patiently waiting (and thinking about something important)


wheee! That was cold!


love those hidden piggy toes

After Ella's nap (and some days Rob and my nap, too), we would walk down to the boardwalk for dinner, shopping, rides, and, of course, ice cream. Ella did great sitting in her stroller and behaving well at restaurants---we were glad. We stopped in a book store and we got Ella some books, including a new Curious George one, which she started checking out as soon as she got back into her stroller (see picture of her below reading on the boardwalk). We also went to the amusement area and Ella wanted to go on some rides this year. She rode the firetrucks, boats, and jeeps. She kept waving to everyone as she went around and took her job of driving very seriously. Ella found a Life is Good shirt with a monkey on it that she thought looks exactly like Pinkie. So instead of an Ocean City t-shirt, she got a cool long-sleeved "Pinkie shirt." She was so excited--she said, "Thank you, Dada. Thank you, Mama. ELLA LOVES IT!"

This week Ella was a lot of fun. She has always had a funny personality, but this week she was especially goofy and silly. She kept looking for a person (made up) around Uncle Bill's house that she was calling "Ha Ha." She would walk around and look under bushes and chairs calling, "Ha Ha, are you? Under bushes?..No..." When we would ask her who Ha Ha was, she would say "a person....angel." I figure she just has a good imagination right now. No need to worry....unless Ha Ha starts talking to her and telling her what to do!

On Thursday, it rained (poured) all day, so we went to the Jersey Shore Children's Museum which was a hands-on place for young kids. Ella enjoyed exploring all of the neat areas, especially the dinosaur dig (probably because it had sand), basketball court, trains, building a car, and, her favorite, the grocery store.

driving a race car in the arcade with Rob
(not sure which one of them had more fun with that!)


steering her pink boat in the water (she picked out the pink one)


driving the sparkly jeep


too cute ringing the bell in the boat

Ella putting butter on her pancake
(she, then, ate the rest of the butter right from the pat with her finger)

Ella with her new "Pinkie" shirt on and holding the real Pinkie

reading new book on the boardwalk

Rob and Ella building a car on the assembly line at the museum

Here are a few family pictures taken during the week:


J and Ella before our train ride
(Is Ella upset that her hair looks like Pebbles?)



J and Ella being silly

family photo on the beach

(Ella wasn't angry....just doing her shy face to the guy who was taking our picture and talking to her)



J and Ella with the ocean


Rob and Ella (love this one!)