Beach Retreat

This past weekend (Memorial Day) was our annual Singles Beach Retreat at Fort Caswell. It is such a blessing that Hailey and I get to go and enjoy the retreat with Ryan. It is a double blessing that Ryan's parents get to come as well and take care of Hailey so that I can spend time with our friends.
We left Thursday around mid-day. First we had to play on the playground at church while Daddy loaded up the vans.

 And of course we had some fun with stickers on the car ride down.

Hailey was so excited to see Mimi and Poppi. She had a blast with them. Mimi let her "climb" trees

And Poppi loved to show her how to feed the seagulls. Hailey was absolutely thrilled with the birds were "everywhere"

She got to go to the beach for a little while each morning with Mimi and Poppi and Ryan and I got to go down one day too. Hailey loved the waves and had no fear around them. She loved jumping over them and letting the cold water touch her feet. She liked digging in the sand and looking in the crab holes. She was totally covered in sand.

getting ready for the beach

Sunday night at the retreat there is a dance. This year the theme was Duck Dynasty so there were some fake duck decorations. Hailey had so much fun with them.

She rode them

And even took one for a walk

Her imagination is amazing!
I love this picture of her during our picnic dinner that night.

But this is my favorite picture of the weekend by far.

Hailey now loves for us to give her "hugs" where we hug her at the same time. That's what we were doing in this picture. I love it!
Monday (Memorial Day) was our day to head home. We stopped in Wilmington for lunch and Hailey and I spent a lot of time on the Riverwalk while everyone else was eating.
We saw fish

a huge dog

 and we stopped in a little jewelry store where Hailey insisted on putting on every bracelet in the store. Don't worry, I put them all back in the right places!

The girl loves jewelry!
After we got back to the church Hailey helped unload the vans.

And of course played in the trees a little too. Hey, you can't work all the time! ;)

We had an awesome weekend at the beach retreat! We are so blessed to be a part of Providence!