In the Miami post a few back, I asked why in the world we live in the North when there are so many places that are warm year round and don’t require you to wear 15 layers for six months out of the year.  But after a trip to the beach with Clare and Owen, I figured it all out.  We Northerners brave out the frigid, torturous, endless winters because they make us appreciate warm weather so much more, especially the first few days when the sun finally decides to poke her little head out.  There really is nothing sweeter than the first time you drive with the windows down, or the first time you can peal off those wool socks and slip on some flip flops, or your first visit to the beach…especially when it’s with two kiddos as excited to be there as Clare and Owen.  It was so much fun to watch them collect “seasells” and attempt to dip their toes in the icy ocean.  They were so excited to be in shorts and sand, and so was I!  I tried to not bug them with too many posed pictures, and just let them do their thang in the sand.

I think Owen looks like he should be running in Hyannisport with the Kennedy family here…

My pretty friend, Melissa and her beautiful babies.  What would I do without this girl???