Groundhog, Shmoundhog.

Apparently, Mr. Groudhog doesn't know what's up in Connecticut.  Lest I jinx our good fortune I won't say it loudly...I think Spring has sprung.  And what do hundreds of wintered-out Connecticutonians do when the temperature gets above 55?  Why, they go to the beach of course!  You'll remember last year's little pre-spring excursion to the beach turned a little chilly on us.  Today, I could not wait for them to get home from school.  I wanted to sit on the sand, feel the sun and be lulled by those waves.  We packed our blanket and our sand toys and went to soak up the sun.  We were totally gypped last summer with the shortest warm season ever.  We are hoping that this year is much better...more time to enjoy the incredible beauty that we live so close to.
Ah.  I love the coast.  I simply adore it so.

I caught Mia just standing in a daze staring at the ocean for a good minute and a half without moving.  It was adorable...way more adorable than every other picture I took of her today with her crack hanging out of her pants.  Also, she looked like Quasimodo because her hood was tucked in.  I fixed that right quick...the shoulder pad look is so out...or is it?

And I love these pictures because Hazel was all jazzed to stand with them and jump but between the counts of "1" and "3" she had completely lost interest.

Then Hazel stood and looked longingly at the ocean...for a few seconds before I sent one of my minions out to fetch her before she charged right in.

*I completely realize of course, that it has indeed been six weeks of winter since the Groundhog made his presumptuous prediction.  I figure New England doesn't really count because it just does what it wants, when it wants anyway.  In any case, we hope that this warmer weather is here to stay.


And here is to the awesome missionaries who came and did the greatest service ever this week.  In less than an hour they had packed the van to the gills, the absolute gills I tell you, with all the soggy stuff from our second basement flooding this month....and one broken trampoline blown into a tree during a recent storm. Boo hoo.  These guys are amazing!  Just about the nicest boys ever.