Bodega Bay Part II

This time we invited Nana and Papa to come with us to Bodega Bay. And this time we outfitted ourselves a little better for the ocean.

Mark and Isabella stumbled upon this state-of-the-art sand castle. The wise man that built this house, built it upon a log (which is second best to a rock--unless, of course, there is a fire.)

Fortified with a giant-legless crab, and all.

The Foolish Man and his daughter built their house upon the sand (didn't the song teach them anything?!), which was washed away by the ocean eraser by the time I returned with the camera.

This day, Matthew was all about Papa.

But there's lots of lovin' for Nana too, who has successfully taught Matthew the meaning of "gentle". (At least he's gentle with Nana. He still scratches my face off.)

Mom told me about a sermon she heard from the pastor at their church that made her think of Matthew. The pastor told the story of a letter George Burns found, after his wife Gracie Allen, passed away. In the letter Gracie Allen wrote, "George, never put a period, where God has placed a comma." Well, I could have cried enough tears to make another ocean right then and there. When I was pregnant with Matthew my fear was that his having Down syndrome would be a period in his life and in my life. I was wrong. Matthew has Down syndrome (comma) but it certainly does not define his little soul. He is the hug you see in this picture; he is sunshine and sweetness, determination and adventure. In short, he is the snicker to my doodle.

And this one...she's the peanut to my butter. Mark? He's got to be the flip to my flop. (I wish I'd made these up.)

Nothing like a sand covered peach to end the day.