Henry Seewald, Jessa Seewald, Ivy Seewald, Ben Seewald, Spurgeon Seewald
While they were in Florida for a friend's wedding last weekend, Jessa and Ben Seewald took the opportunity to take their three littles to the beach. Seeing the ocean through a child's eyes can be such a magical moment. And based on Spurgeon and Henry's heights as they stand next to their kneeling parents, it might not be long before they pass Mom and Dad up!
Photo courtesy theseewaldfamily.com
Spurgeon is the image of his mum. A very lovely family having fun on what looks like a pretty empty beach. I assume things are better in Florida & the states in general now as there seems to be a lot of air travel going on with this family. I can’t wait to get back to a sense of normality just so my son can come & visit me again. We are in a nationwide lockdown again in the UK. Hope the Seewald’s had a nice time at their friends wedding, & that they took all precautions necessary for their trip with 3 small children.
ReplyDeleteWhile cases in most states in the US are dropping, leisure travel is still not recommended. Complacency allows the virus to make a strong comeback, especially with the new strains and the fact that there's still a shortage of the vaccine. The pandemic of 1918 shows us all too well the repeated peaks and valleys of an epidemic. The fact that the UK is in a lockdown again may very well show what is in store for us here in the near future.
DeleteWe had to travel to Florida last month, and when you go by car it's quite easy to travel safely. Mask, wash up, and distance if you have to stop, bring a cooler of food, stay at an airbnb so you aren't around others, etc.
DeleteAny travel involves health risk, this last year especially. It's also not a good idea to have a wedding with out-of-state guests right now. The British variant is about to make more headlines in the US and our vaccination efforts are going to be strained to keep up with that variation and the others that are emerging strong. Variants wouldn't be emerging if people would try harder not to get infected. The variants begin during infection, and we have not seen the last of them.
DeleteI’m very disappointed to hear things are so bad still for you guys across the pond, & also disappointed that the seewalds & many of the Duggar’s are travelling on planes, I thought things must be improving. I haven’t seen friends or work colleagues since July & Iv only seen my son for a matter of 4 days in 13 months (& that includes 2 days I was in icu in hospital). I have to agree with anon 7.53, we wouldn’t be in such a dire situation if more people adhered to the rules. Our children here haven’t been at school since last March, that’s an entire year without education. I do hope all the nice blog readers & Lily, Ellie & everyones families are all keeping safe.
DeleteFuuzyferet: Always enjoy reading your comments and hearing your perspective on things. From what we've been reading Great Britain has been hit pretty hard in some areas and you're right, if more people just followed common courtesy with masking, curtailing unnecessary travel, and limiting their social interaction, your country and ours would not be in this state. You've had it pretty rough over the last 13 months and we hope you and your family are all doing better. Please take good care.~ Virginia family
DeleteWell, it can't be too empty, someone was there taking their picture! LOL LOL
DeleteHomeschoolers have not stopped socializing, or attending co-op. I don't know of a home schooler that has died from covid. They rarely wear masks too. Go back to your regular lives people!
Delete3:24
DeleteWhat a selfish and irresponsible suggestion! Don't you care about your family, community, and country?
@3:24- This comment is overreaching and untrue. Please do not presume to speak for all home schoolers. Some may not not have curtailed social events or Co-ops, just like all public schools have not curtailed all sporting practices/events and extra-curricular activities (like drama productions). Some home schoolers are avoiding social events and Co-ops are being conducted online via Zoom and other platforms. Saying home schoolers rarely wear masks is also untrue, unless you personally know every home schooler in the United States (and their parents).
Delete3:24, What an insensitive thing to say about going back to your regular lives. People I know have passed away. Life will never be regular again for me or anyone else who knew them. One was in a nursing home and it was someone going about their regular life who brought the virus to work with them and started an infection that resulted in 7 deaths.
DeleteWait til the new season airs and we see nothing but footage of the Duggars wearing masks all the time in public plus not being around people from outside their family. Then we can think back to pictures like this from events like this and know what really was going on. I wonder if they're going to show pregnant Joy with her case of the virus or talk about how dangerous it is to be pregnant and Covid positive. It will be interesting to hear if they explain how she contracted it or from whom. Remember when they last left off, everyone was receiving homemade masks and staying totally away from everybody else. That must have ended last year at some point, certainly by summer and again during their fall festival, Christmas celebration, and big New Year's Eve party. Will the show pretend those things didn't happen?
Delete1:22 Yes, the Duggars and the show will pretend those things didn't happen.
Delete6:36: what ? Some Homeschoolers may wear masks? Eek not in my house. I’m at home. No masks allowed in the house. So do you not hug your children either? Or snuggle with them? Or sit by them? There’s something major wrong with that picture if you’re making your children wear masks in your own home. That’s ludicrous. HOME should be a sanctuary to everyone, kids included, not like a public place.
Delete@11:07- Please read my comment again at 6:36 a little more slowly this time. I did NOT say anything about home schoolers wearing masks at home. LOL As for my child-I hug my child multiple times a day, snuggle with her, share the couch while we watch TV, carry on ongoing conversations throughout the day, go for neighborhood walks, hit the Starbucks drive-thru, and go to the grocery store (*gasp*, we actually wear a mask in the store). Of course we don't wear masks in our home. LOL You can stand down now, I clearly was not attacking homeschoolers in my posts. ;) Thank you!
DeleteSpurgeon is such a big boy already!
ReplyDeleteYes. BIG boy.
DeleteToo big.
DeleteMy friends in Florida are still being super cautious. Limitng outside contacts, wearing masks at the store,not travelling and not attending social events such as weddings.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the Seewalds, had a fantastic time, on their vacation.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope they don't get COVID or bring it home with them and spread it to innocent people.
DeleteYou know, not everything has to be about covid.
DeleteFlorida has the most covid cases of any state in the US right now. The variant is also a major problem. Florida has no mask mandate...hmm.
ReplyDeleteActually, Florida is number 3 behind California and Texas, but number 3 is bad enough.
DeletePer capita, Florida is ranked 30th in COVID cases. We have been open without mask mandates and we are still ranked 30th... hmm.
DeleteFresh air and sunshine, good for physical and mental health.
Delete@9:51 Yes but to get to that fresh air and sunshine, unless you live right there, requires air travel, car travel, motel stays, restaurant meals... All of those are risky right now.
Delete@9:51; yes yes!
DeleteFlorida is way down the list https://www.statista.com/statistics/1109004/coronavirus-covid19-cases-rate-us-americans-by-state/
Delete11:58 your post sounds like where you live there's no fresh air and sunshine, which today, where I live in Ga, the sun shone. It's been raining 2 wks straight. 😭
Delete9:51 I enjoy the beach as much as anyone, but I won't travel there during this pandemic. I can get all the fresh air and sunshine I want free of charge, right in my own backyard!
DeleteTo 5:12. Oh there's plenty of fresh air and sunshine today if you can handle 10 degrees!
Delete10:54 I went hiking today in 10 degree weather. It felt downright balmy, considering it had been 30 below zero the previous morning.
DeleteI think the OP meant Florida has the most daily new cases of any state. They are half the population of California, yet they had almost double the cases (new today). Florida is heading in the wrong direction.
Deletethey were so cute on the beach..especially Ivy
ReplyDeleteOh so cute! Henry is a handsome little boy!!! Glad they can get out and travel and take their kids to experience life! I don’t care what people say about the pandemic, it’s more unhealthy to stay cooped up in your home and never get out. What happened to the flu? I guess it magically disappeared
ReplyDeleteYes yes yes! We can't stay hermits forever.
DeleteWhat happened to the flu? Staying home and wearing a mask happened, especially children not being in school. Children transit the flu readily in the school setting, infecting other children and adults. Also, more adults got flu shots this year than last. Flu strains have not disappeared and will emerge again next year, maybe worse than before since there will be no natural immunity from having it this year. Also, many people will let their guard down once places have opened up again and restrictions are lifted. So if anything, influenza strains are on pause this year. Viruses in general remain a global health threat, and Ebola is making headlines again.
DeleteWrong the flu is still there, I am an ER nurse and just yesterday we had 7 people test positive for the flu.
DeleteFlu season is better than in years past but certainly not gone for good. Imagine if we all took the practices we're supposed to be doing for Covid and did them every flu season. We'd keep the numbers low.
DeleteWe are told the flu is basically gone only 36 cases across my country as of last month for the whole flu season
DeleteOh, don't worry, I guarantee you the Seewalds will get the flu,Spurgeon has a wet t-shirt, which means they went in the cold water,it must be cold if the beach is deserted, the flu contagion has lessened because of social distancing but you can still create it by bathing in cold water!
DeleteActually, although the flu is a serious threat (a triple threat this year, with two major strains + Coronavirus), the flu numbers have generally not been as bad by this point as in recent years BECAUSE many people are actually adhering to CDC guidelines and state mandates (masking up, keeping their distance, staying home more with their immediate family members, and so many schools are closed). According to the medical community, it's a bit of a silver lining...Otherwise flu numbers and deaths would be markedly higher, prompting some U.S. school districts to close at intervals due to flu outbreaks. Not that a pandemic is good, but the social distancing measures have been effective in curtailing widespread flu transmission...something to be thankful for.
Delete@6:18 You cannot get the flu from bathing in cold waters! The flu is a virus. You get it if you get exposed to the flu virus not because you are cold and not from water, of any temperature!! I suggest you ask your family doctor to give you a short lesson on infections,
DeleteCold water does not "create" a virus. The only thing you get from being in cold water is being cold and wet.
Deleteanon@8:50 I don't think any trip or leisure activity that potentially exposes myself or others to COVID is worth it right now. Several of my relatives have long-term affects from the virus and they aren't minor annoyances. For some reason, you assume everyone who supports CDC guidelines is hiding under their beds, forever cooped up in their homes. That's ridiculous. I hike every day, cross-country ski in winter, exercise, garden in the summer, meet friends for walks while we socially distance, and spend time FaceTiming loved ones. You see, I know that living our lives also means working together for the common good. The folks who lived through the last World War can tell you all about it.
DeleteFunny, I thought the flu was caused by a virus, not wet t-shirts.
Delete6:18 what an old wives tale. That is not true.
DeleteYou can experience life without putting yourself and others at risk.
Delete@6:18pm ... I wonder if your children still talk to you. What a misery living in your home must have been. Just TRY to be nice and charitable - it will make you so much happier not to mention the people around you.
Delete@12:06 Thank you for setting @6:18 straight. As a former Biology teacher, I'm glad to see at least someone was listening in class. Lol
DeleteAnon@8:32.... so covid cases were out of control because they said people weren't wearing masks, etc., but flu is down because people are wearing masks etc. Which one is it????
DeleteAlso, most schools are open. All the schools in my state have been open with face to face learning since August.
Exactly about the masks/virus/flu @9:05pm
Delete9:05 In case you didn't know, we've had flu vaccines all along. The COVID vaccine is only recently available, but in limited quantities. I think more people got their flu shots this year. I did!
Delete@9:05-I'm 8:32 and very few of the public schools in my state have been open for in-school learning 5 days a week since last February. There are 3 colleges within 15 minutes of my home and 5 more within an hour's drive. Every time they bring the college students back for in-person classes, COVID cases surge because the students will not social distance (masks or not). The flu is down because the elementary/middle/high school students aren't in classes spreading it. COVID is spreading because it's not the elementary/middle/high school students partying, hooking up, and doing the bar scene. Not sure what's up with your state, but my state seems to be the norm with the flu numbers down.
Delete@9:05 Covid is out of control, partly because of people not wearing masks. Flu is a seasonal thing that usually travels between hemispheres when the seasons change. There has been no Covid "season." There was a summer wave in the US. People are not traveling between countries as much these days and some southern hemisphere countries had strict lockdowns during their winter (northern summer). That would lead to fewer global flu cases during northern winter. Covid is spreading within countries currently. It arrived a year ago and stayed, unlike flu.
DeleteKids staying home from school this winter has helped stop flu (most schools are still closed or on altered schedules). Less international travel last year slowed flu spread too. But as someone else said, we've seen exactly what happens when people won't stop getting together (often indoors and maskless) while Covid is going around. Most of it is being spread by people in their 20's, 30's, and 40's. When Covid numbers go way down someday, if everyone would continue to wear masks and keep their distance, you'd see that it would keep next winter's flu season numbers low too.
DeleteNo one is a hermit and no one has to be cooped up. Get out the house for gosh sakes. Just be smart about it and considerate of others. Go for a walk, go to a park, go to the beach, go for a drive. I am so tired of hearing people complain like they are alone stuck in a padded cell. Lol!!!! It's all about staying positive and having a good attitude and having hope and being thankful for just being.
DeleteHere's a thought. If you're scared or frail or predisposed toward illness, stay home. You can do everything online, including getting your groceries. Kroger is doing free order online and pick up. But let the rest of us live our lives.
DeleteWow, such a difference from all the snow outside my house!
ReplyDeleteMe too!!!
DeleteThat grainy sand doesn't look like Florida beach sand. It's finer than that. Where were they at the beach? Funny how Ben is dressed like the boys.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the Atlantic side. We've vacationed just south of Jacksonville at Ponte Vedra Beach and the sand looks like that.
DeleteThey are wearing modest swimwear.
DeleteI love that boys are dressed like Ben! Love Ivy Jane's bathing suit too-way too cute!
DeleteNew Smyrna beach they were at
DeleteSpurgeon is such a pleasant child. Love Jessa and her family, great parents, cute kids
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to say the same - Spurgeon is so well behaved, reasonable, happy and aware kid!
DeleteJessa’s bathing outfit looks like an Amish dress! It’s so ridiculous. Just don’t go to the beach if you’re that uptight.
ReplyDeleteThat's really uncalled for...very rude 12:07. It must be so miserable to be around someone like you!
DeleteAt least she's not showing most of her breasts and buttocks as so many are prone to do these days. It's refreshing to see a woman with modesty. And, it takes a lot of courage to wear a bathing "suit" like that one on a public beach where I'm sure she'll get lots of rude stares and more derogatory remarks.
DeleteSo she shouldn't enjoy a day out with family unless she is showing enough skin to satisfy some stranger?
DeleteYou can enjoy the beach without showing 98% of your skin. So she shouldn't enjoy the beach because you don't like her clothes? Hah.
DeleteIf that's what Jessa's comfortable in, more power to her. It takes way more courage to wear her bathing suit than to follow the culture at the beach. I've never understood the whole "how little clothing can we get away with without getting arrested" mentality. We wouldn't wear a bra and underwear to work/the grocery store/the board room/a restaurant, so why do we think it's ok to wear to the beach? LOL A little self-respect goes a long way. Besides, the bait you fish with is the same bait as everyone else's, so what does that say about your catch? ;)
DeleteJessa isn't uptight, she is following her convictions and beliefs to be modest.
DeleteThere are plenty of bathing suit styles that don't have body parts hanging out. You don't have to wear a potato sack unless you choose to. After having 3 kids she may have body image issues. Nothing wrong with bring comfortable but I eish someone would tell her there are other choices out there other than these generic looking sack dresses if she still wants to be modest.
DeleteIt takes a strong, confident woman to dress modestly at the beach and be the odd one out. Good for her.
Delete1. If she is comfortable in it, good for her.
Delete2. If you wouldn’t be comfortable in it, don’t wear it.
3. You literally know nothing about Amish dress.
@5:45 Some of us know a lot about Amish dress and are very familiar with areas of the US where there are Amish communities. Mennonite too.
DeleteI also applaud her for sticking with her standards and wearing what she feels is right for her.
Delete12:07PM: It's not a bathing suit. It's just a dress, from Old Navy!
Delete@12:19 .... it sounds like YOU might be the one with body issues. Obsessing about showing off your body is likely less healthy than having a normal mom body. Many of us view our slightly out of shape bodies as a reminder of the beautiful children God has blessed us with. Honestly, why do so many of you get a mean glee out of criticizing this family? Can’t you enjoy anyone else’s happiness? Think about if what you say is creating a plus or a minus in this world.
Delete8:59 When I've been out of shape with what you refer to as a normal "mom body", it never reminded me of my beautiful children. When I looked in the mirror, I was only reminded that I needed to exercise more and eat less. I don't care what someone wears to the beach and I have no problem wearing a two-piece swimsuit now to show off the body I've worked hard to achieve!
Delete3:11: sounds selfish! You could’ve been giving that time you took for so much for yourself to your children! A mom can look like a mom not a catch for some roving eyes! You should be so proud at being a mother!!! The highest calling and job on earth!!!
Delete10:51, taking care of your weight and health is not selfish! Being overweight causes all kinds of health problems that can keep you from being a good mom!!
DeleteThe beach sounds heavenly right now! Glad they were able to breathe in that sea air and warm up in the sun!
ReplyDeleteSalt air is really good for the body and very healing.
DeleteI think Ben looks a lot like Chad in this picture
ReplyDeleteChad???????
DeleteI think the original poster was referring, to Erin Bates' husband Chad.
DeleteOh wow he totally does!!!!!!
DeleteI am very happy😀 the Seewald's had a nice time at the wedding. Also a great time at the beach playing in the sand & water. My parents & I are also going to Florida this summer. We'll also have a great time on vacation. I know there is a lot of things to do for all ages. I am very eager to hear & see what is
ReplyDeletegoing to be on season 12 on counting on. Has anyone heard when the new season is starting? Natasha b
Nice family photo on the beach. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteJoan,Marion and Marilyn
It’s fun to watch the young ones experiencing the joy of seeing the beach and ocean for the first time!
ReplyDeleteIs Jessa still rocking the Modestwear swim dresses? Looks it in the family photo.
ReplyDeleteJessa follows her parents' instructions... So I guess so... It's a shame they all can't swim... The beach is more fun when you also can go into the water... And children are so much more safe when they know how to swim...
DeleteI don’t know but I’m betting Jinger will be wearing a traditional one piece suit this summer lol
DeleteThat would be great, 1:12, and probably break the internet, LOL
DeleteI live in the panhandle of Florida and that sand doesn’t look like Florida sand Lol
ReplyDeleteFor real. They probably filmed all that on a green screen in a room full of Arkansas grit. Right?!!!! I mean, that’s way more realistic than the possibility that some beaches look different from others.
DeleteBen's friend was getting married in Orlando, FL, so I wonder which beach Seewalds went to. Probably some beach on a Gulf coast when they were driving back to Arkansas? It looked so empty, probably not very populated area.
ReplyDeleteI wish they started doing longer vacation with kids, like Kendra and Joe do with Kendra's family. Also I think Jill and Derick had a few day beach vacation last year too. I'm sure that Seewald kids would enjoy more time at the beach!
I think this is their babymoon. They will have another very soon.
ReplyDeleteYou were right, she just announced!
DeleteYou don't take your kids along on a babymoon. If your kids are along, it's a family vacation.
DeleteThe point of a babymoon is to get alone time before the baby comes. Hard to have alone time with three kids in tow.
Delete11:21 And the baby announcement came the day after your post!
DeleteYou're right. She's pregnant!
DeleteRight on!!!! PRICELESS!!!!! Good call!!!!!
DeleteA babymoon is just a vacation before having baby. Anybody can go on one and take whomever they wish.
DeleteI thought she might be pregnant by the way she was covered by the kids on the pictures. So wasn’t surprised to see the news today that she is pregnant! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteNot sure why this bothers me, but I really wish the Duggar ladies and daughters-in-law would quit "hiding" behind stuff in the lead up to announcing a pregnancy. It's just really immature and seems like such a publicity stunt ("Is she or isn't she?" kind of thing). It just seems so manipulative and childish. I wish they'd outgrow that.
Delete7:32, it's also childish to nitpick other people's decisions. If it doesn't affect your life, it's NOYB.
DeleteYeah. It's a dead give a way. They aren't fooling us!
DeleteThe fact that they traveled and attended a wedding during COVID gets even crazier now that we know that Jessa is pregnant. Pregnant women are at increased risk! You'd think she'd be more careful, especially since she had a miscarriage last year.
ReplyDelete@3:50 You're so right. A case just made the news where a baby died in utero of Covid when the mother caught it and the virus crossed the placenta. It was known last year that Covid was causing blood clots in the placenta.
DeleteOne woukd think.
DeleteThat awful sand still does not look like New Smyrna beach to me. It's just not that coarse/broken shelled. Sand in Florida, whether East coast or West coast is finer than that.
ReplyDelete