So, we do the same trips every year! And, man…I was pretty worried they weren’t going to happen this time around! But, I guess there is one good thing you can say about this virus…it’s really cleared everyone’s schedules… Even Sarah’s group got to make it this year! It was so great getting to have everyone at the beach house together, even if it was just for one weekend. We crammed in as much fun stuff as we could before she had to leave with Cora, Carson, and Hayley.

This may look strange….but there was a hurricane in the gulf when we got there. So, there wasn’t much we could do outside that first day. And you also can’t really go anywhere right now either….. So, we just decided to dye all the girls’ hair blue.… — This may look strange….but there was a hurricane in the gulf when we got there. So, there wasn’t much we could do outside that first day. And you also can’t really go anywhere right now either….. So, we just decided to dye all the girls’ hair blue. I mean….why not?

Jenny called it the beach house beauty shop. lol. So that’s what we did, and we played lots of Phase 10 and Uno.

The next morning we were up bright and early (well….as early as we can manage to get this group out the door anyway) for crabbing! This is the hottest day every year, but it’s definitely my favorite.

Wallace caught the first keeper again! :)

Because of the hurricane, the water was a little up… I actually got pinched by a crab walking through that to get to the dock! rude!

Hannah always gets a net or two stuck, and this year was no exception. haha! This kid.

The crabs were very feisty this year. We’ve never had so many people get pinched! In fact…we’ve never had anyone get pinched…this year, I think 4 of us got nailed! Oh…and I’ve been working on my dutch braids. Just check out my handiwork on Carson’s … — The crabs were very feisty this year. We’ve never had so many people get pinched! In fact…we’ve never had anyone get pinched…this year, I think 4 of us got nailed! Oh…and I’ve been working on my dutch braids. Just check out my handiwork on Carson’s hair! Not bad if I do say so myself.

Did you know crabbing is a spectator sport? :)

I’m not sure who took this photo, but I love it. Lots of teen girls grabbing the camera to take pics this year. :)

Crab….it’s what’s for dinner! I failed to get photos of the rest of the process…because we apparently went to the beach. My role in the crab dinner is really just making sure we have nets and buckets and that the chicken necks are all strung on. :) … — Crab….it’s what’s for dinner! I failed to get photos of the rest of the process…because we apparently went to the beach. My role in the crab dinner is really just making sure we have nets and buckets and that the chicken necks are all strung on. :) Every now and then I also line the shells with foil. This year, my second job was keeping the kids out of the kitchen and down at the beach. :) So, no pics of crab picking and crab stuffing. But trust me, it was delicious!

Meanwhile…the boogie boards I unintentionally paid WAY too much for last year got a TON of use this year. I seriously didn’t realize they were going to cost as much as the store wanted for them…they weren’t marked very well. But they are very nice… — Meanwhile…the boogie boards I unintentionally paid WAY too much for last year got a TON of use this year. I seriously didn’t realize they were going to cost as much as the store wanted for them…they weren’t marked very well. But they are very nice boogie boards that even adults can use, and they haven’t broken yet. The most challenging thing about them is just finding space to pack them in the car…

Because of the hurricane the surf was super rough for the first half of the trip. Also, there really wasn’t much of a beach either. The waves were all the way up to the dunes when we got there.

So…as you can see…we were literally still parked up against the dune two days later. It took a really long time for it all to go back down. Usually this part of the beach is made up of flaming hot sugar sand that people just get their cars stuck in.

All the cool kids get buried in the sand…

That Jenny randomly filled with healthy food…. haha! We’re not those people. My kids were super pissed.

The next day was the Big Slide, and the big story there was how much Bristol was love/hating it until we promised her some ice cream if she’d give it just one more try….

Boy howdy did that make a difference! :)

I cracked myself up with my hermit crab board room meeting.

There were like a million hermit crabs this one particular evening.

The next day we decided to be brave/stupid and try to go to the Rain Forest Cafe for lunch. One of our standing traditions. This was the one thing that was making us the most nervous though with the virus. We’ve been pretty darn careful with Granny … — The next day we decided to be brave/stupid and try to go to the Rain Forest Cafe for lunch. One of our standing traditions. This was the one thing that was making us the most nervous though with the virus. We’ve been pretty darn careful with Granny through this whole thing, but she really wanted to go, and what Granny wants, Granny gets. So, we went. Turns out…they really aren’t getting much of a crowd these days. I assume they are only allowed a specific capacity…we didn’t even have to wait for a table. There was really no one there. I’m glad we did it.

Also these poor seagulls. Apparently no one’s been feeding them. Seriously y’all. I’m not sure if it was the hurricane or the virus, but the ferry was at a super low capacity this summer. I’ve never seen them travelling less than full with peopl… — Also these poor seagulls. Apparently no one’s been feeding them. Seriously y’all. I’m not sure if it was the hurricane or the virus, but the ferry was at a super low capacity this summer. I’ve never seen them travelling less than full with people still waiting to get on. It was very weird.

And on one of the last days, Wallace picked a kite as his souvenir, and it took me and Jenny sooooo long to get the darn thing up into the air that he totally lost interest in it.

Well…that’s it for Bolivar 2020. Glad we were able to do it. Even more happy that no one got sick! And now the long slow wait for Bolivar 2021. :)