what we do at the dunes

Dune season is October through April.  And here we are in February making our first trip...wondering how the season has sneakily passed us by when we had already managed 4 trips by this time last year.  Yes, yes...if you had told me that sob story two years ago, I would have deemed the poor victims Blessed.  Who would choose to vacation in a sea of sand?  We do!  At first I participated grudgingly:  to be with family...Jim likes to ride...I have boys.  But now I completely look forward to this welcome respite. 

I read.  I chat.  I eat.  I nap.
On repeat. 

And there lies the simple charm for the Scott girl.

Some of the charm also comes from the intense love her tiny two have for "the dunes" and "aw toy haula".  This is what they do there:

Aidan was a ridin' fool on this trip.  I finally don't get jittery whenever he climbs onto the Scrambler.  The nearly nine months since we last took it out has made a huge difference in his steering and accelerating abilities. 

I love how this picture captures my A so well.  To him the joy of quad riding is serious business.  There's no way you'll find him cracking a smile...yet, I know him well enough to confidently say he's having the time of his life.

Michael and Tasha brought Marty.  Who I want to steal.  Or trade for my lastborn (who favored us with an attractive sand tantrum on Monday morning).  Surely this face is worth one small dog:

I think he's even got some nose freckles in the making.

What we don't do at the dunes:  comb hair.   And somehow that lack is more charming at 4 than nearly-34, making me all the more happy to be the one wielding the camera, of course. 

Comments

[Tiffany]

What a true paradise for kids! Endless sand. Wow!

I loved the fun photos--you do have such cute boys! (I like being the one with the camera, too!)

[Megan]

I seriously can not believe how grown up they look! They've changed so much since last summer, and Davyn looks almost unrecognizable to me in some of these pictures. Crazy!!
Glad you guys had a good time, this place does seem like little boy fantasy land, if my boys were to see the pictures of Aidan and Davyn riding the quads or playing with the dog, I'd never hear the end of it!

[lelly]

the boys look huge! and smart! and totally adorable!

[Hilary]

what cute pictures! Sounds like a really fun time!

[April]

I'm pretty sure I would have a hard time getting into this, but it is a huge hit with our neighborhood. I think you are a very brave mother to let your boy loose on one of those things. But, boy do I love "wholesome recreational activities"!

[Amberly]

your trip sounds so great, dirty fun for the boys and loungy time for mom... doesn't get better than that!

[Jill]

I was invited on a trip like that with my best friend back when I was 12. It was so much fun. I haven't done anything like that since, and really can't imagine heading up such an outing, but my one weekend of riding as a young'n sure was fun.

[Elizabeth]

I love your simple pleasures. It is great to get away from all the chores for awhile.

[sista #2]

Fun pix! We'll stick to riding our quads to get the mail and in the back yard land pile!haahaa
(great spt below!)ciao

[Shanon]

Looks like you guys had fun. I love going to the Dunes too. It is relaxing. I am nervous now getting Jake and Lily to sleep in our little trailer together. I think that they are going to just keep waking eachother up! So I guess I will enjoy the Dunes another time when I am brave enough to put us all to sleep in our Motel 6 trailer. I can't believe how old D looks! And Aidan looks like a little stud on his quad!

[Barb]

Oh, yeah, that is a great boy holiday. And mom holiday, when you learn how to make it your own!

[Mandi]

Are you really almost 34? I love the shower picture and the Aidan crazy hair picture and . . . oh, I love them all! I can't believe how big A looks out there riding that thing! I couldn't ever imagine Savannah handling something that big -- she barely wants to handle her bike in her daintiness! Oh, and I'm sure my girls would give anything to have a Marty -- they just loved him at Davyn's b-day party.

[Tonya Whiting]

Amy,
I was a blast having you guys there. Aidan did awesome on the quad and it was fun to have Jim there for the volleyball games which I think will become a tradition on all future trips. I hope you guys can make it the next time we go.

[sheri]

So many people LOVE the dunes! I personally have never been but it looks fun. I just hear so many bad stories about accidents there. Glad you had a safe and fun trip. Love the pictures!

[Katie]

What a fun outing! Yes, quad-riding looks serious indeed. Too funny. And that dog is adorable! Your Little looks very tired in that last picture. A testament to a great day.

[Susan]

That looks like so much fun. I love the messy hair pics.

[michelle]

Hee! How cute is the bathing photo with them trying to cover themselves up? I don't know about all the sand, but I can definitely get behind the chatting, reading, lounging, and napping.