By Georgia Osten
We’ve been anticipating the July 4th weekend for almost a year, it finally happened! Family from North Carolina showed up on Thursday, the 29th, to join their 9 year old daughter who flew all by herself over a week ago. As it happens, when the 5 of them come to Texas, it’s the perfect opportunity for the WHOLE FAMILY to join in. The rest of the family, plus special family friends showed up on Friday. If we weren’t around home, they knew where to find us. THE BEACH of course!

Nineteen of us in all, gathered to enjoy each other, help hold one or the other of the 12 week old twins, Riggs and Fisher. There wasn’t a shortage of willing arms and cuddlers in the bunch. We each were assigned a meal, mine was fajitas on the first night. Buffet style, grab a plate, pile it high, find a seat and enjoy. Oh how I love this family! Three grown up kids of our own, all with families of their own. We have eight grandkids in all (and I think that’s all we’re going to get – but that’s a good number).

Saturday, a group of us were registered for Jordan’s Washer Tournament. So, after getting the beach goers set up on the beach with canopies, chairs, coolers & snacks, off to the Tournament they went. Emma and PawPaw came in twelfth – congrats to them!

As tradition will have it, our whole gang showed up at the Motley’s for their annual 4th of July get together – had to be there by 6 pm for PawPaw to lead the Pledge of Allegiance as Bop Osten used to do at every one of the Motley’s Annuals. Oh the symbolism, oh the emotions and remembrances of a get together at the Motley’s! A fish fry out of this world and FRIED GREEN TOMATOES – Oh My Goodness!

Back home, where Leigh had made spaghetti and Mel served up her famous chicken spaghetti. And, of course, Emma baked a Ooey Gooey pineapple tres leches with Coconut Rum – decadent. Mexican Train until after midnight, trying to be quiet – Leigh’s shushing was louder than any of the laughing and carrying on in the first place.

Sunday, another washer tournament, the one where Emma and Grant became grand champions last year. This year though, their friend, Caleb, came in first with another player he met right before the tournament. He had planned to only be a spectator, look how things turn out!!

A family photo session – thanks to Donna Singer, then PawPaw’s turn to cook Sunday night, burgers on the grill, Leigh’s famous beans and more queso, ta da! Some of the kids began to leave, which left us with only 12 in the house, and we were all so exhausted – bed by 10 pm for all. Wow, room to stretch out.

Monday morning, they all left, some for San Antonio, others back to their homes in League City and Pearland. Wow, is this house quiet! We’ll get the North Carolina folks back in a week for another rousing session of beach going and fun seeking!

I haven’t finished laundry yet, but I can’t wait to get them all back under this roof. After all, that’s what it’s all about – FAMILY and THE BEACH!
[7-3-2017]

GO’s Sand Bucket is only one beach bum’s journal of life at the beach, probably something each of you can relate to. Please feel free to email me with your thoughts, visions and/or feelings of just exactly what the beach means to you. Email: [email protected]