Southwick Beach :: Fireworks

A beach bonfire, 

an assortment of fireworks and sparklers, 

and the promise of a s'more

made this night one of the "best ever".

Alekzander and Andrew worked hard digging a fire pit,

setting up fireworks, lighting fireworks, and

cleaning up debris in the dark.

Bedtimes are meant to be broken on vacation

when memories insist on being made.

Southwick Beach :: A Happy Place

After all our adventures of the day,

concluded by peaceful, deep snoozes in the car,

we made it back to Southwick Beach in time 

for dinner and a cloudy sunset.  

The sand between our toes and the warm lake water 

made us happy, happy, happy.

A-Bay :: End of the Day

One more boat ride, 

some snuggles and sillies,

and a delicious ice cream treat

topped off our day in A-Bay and the 1000 Islands.

Heart Island :: Evolution

Evolution of a photo concept ...

Brought to you by

one silly four year old

and a creative daddy

Boldt Castle :: Explorations

After our lunch cruise, we got to explore 

Heart Island and Boldt Castle.

The story behind the vacant, unfinished castle is sad,

but it was hot and we got a little delirious and silly...

The kids {and adults} enjoyed pretending like we owned the castle.

There'd be plenty of room for us all to live there comfortably

and still have room for visitors!

The kids would even have their own turret,

complete with an ancient bowling alley and pool.

Living in the power house wouldn't have been bad either.

Kid's castle 

The main castle 

The Power House

{Proof that Anderson was actually part of our explorations} 

1000 Islands :: Family

 Three generations of Swistaks

Alekzander adopted this family on vacation.

We love them too!

Anderson's perch for the day

On the US side of the International Bridge

Happy Grandparents

{Rachel :: 11; Alekzander :: 4; Jeremy :: 14}

 Sons and Father

1000 Islands :: Cruise

To help them celebrate their 40th anniversary and birthdays.

GMS & GPS took all of us on an Uncle Sam's Boat Tour

and lunch cruise around the 1000 Islands,

starting in Alexandria Bay, NY.

Alekzander was thrilled to see our boat finally dock.

He may have yelled, "All aboard!"

 {We have a similar picture of Rach on her daddy's shoulders when she was itty bitty!}

Anderson loves Uncle Jeremy!

Kiddos got to drive the boat and got a certificate from the captain. 

The driving age in Canada is extremely young!

 The captain looked away and Anderson tried to grab the wheel.

Alekzander was proud to show GPS his driving certificate.

Southwick Beach :: Sunset

 Sunsets up on the lake are gorgeous.

The clouds that rolled in at sunset made this one even more spectacular. 

The sun was like a giant egg sinking into the lake.

Witnessing his first sunset, Alekzander didn't believe that 

the lake would boil as the hot sun sank into it,

even though Uncle Bob tried to convince him of this 'fact'!

He did dip his toes in to report the lake was not even warm.

Southwick Beach :: Jet Ski

Surprisingly Alekzander loved the jet ski!

I was holding on for dear life when I rode with my aunt,

but my brave boy loved the speed and loved doing doughnuts

when he was with me and Daddy!

He helped me actually enjoy myself,

though I was constantly watching the speed

and was quick to tell Daddy to bail out of a doughnut!

The boys got to go on one more cruise before dinner.

Alekzander couldn't stop smiling!

 The jet ski also made a great launch pad for jumping!

Anderson didn't get to go on a ride this year,

but he enjoyed checking it out!

Southwick Beach :: Water

As much as Anderson loved the sand,

Alekzander loved the water.

He was so confident and so brave.

Jumping and splashing like a dolphin was a new trick

that was nearly perfected.

Uncle Bob challenged him to swim to Canada, 

but Alekzander declined this time

{and kept calling it California}.

Maybe next year when he can really swim

and has a better grasp of geography 

he'll give it a try.

Southwick Beach :: Sand

This cutie should have been called "Sanderson" for the day ...

he loved the sand even after tasting it, throwing it, and laying in it.

Sand was everywhere, in all nooks and crannies,

even after a good dip in the lake followed by an outdoor shower,

but sandy sheets are just a rite of passage

for any true beach babe.