Cousins at the Beach

We (minus Nate who was working and Clayton who was at scout camp) spent a very fun day at the beach with three of my Cannon cousins from Austin and Dallas and their cute families.  It was such a party!  As always, I took a ton of pictures - constantly exposing my camera to the elements (blowing sand, slinging mud, and unpredictable splashes of water). And when I wasn't fearing for Eliza's life (this girl is part dolphin, I swear), I enjoyed catching up with my cousins and reminiscing about old times at the ranch. And I must say, we had some pretty darn awesome adventures back in the day.

After growing up in the mountains, sometimes I'm still surprised to remember that I only live an hour away from the Gulf of Mexico now.  Compared to how far we had to drive as a kid? The ocean is practically in my backyard now!  We still only go to the beach once a year, but still!  It's another reason to visit us.  (please, please, please)

Lydia and her 2nd cousin met each other for the first time at the beach.  They were so cute together.  The beach is a great place to meet cousins.

They shared the beach tent and all the sand toys.

Brig was happy to see his best bud, Weston.  These two are like glue.

I love this picture!  Goggles are the great equalizer.  No matter who you are or how attractive - everyone looks the same in goggles.  (except Lydia, who is still cuter than most)

hard at work. . .

The clumps of un-rubbed-in sunscreen in this picture explains Isaac's crazy splotchy sunburn around his mouth.

Love this water-girl!

And this beach-girl!

Lydia is "swimming" in this picture.  She not as brave as her sister (thankfully) when it comes to body surfing.

When Eliza wasn't buried in the waves, she was writing messages in the sand.

Honestly, I spent most of time being frantic over Eliza.  Being in the water is her one true love and she has no fear heading waaaaaaaay out into the big waves with the older kids (or further!)

The ocean just calls to her. . .

But it meant she had to be rescued. . . more than once!  (thank you, Jesse!)

I love these girls - they are growing up too fast for me.  Emma's smile is just how I remember her mom at this age. Such a pretty girl.

When I don't have kids to keep my eyes on (or take pictures of), this will be me at the beach!  Julie is a girl after my own heart.

Nothin' better than babies at the beach.

My cousin, Nate, demonstrating his master castle building skills.

Hooray for cousins at the beach!

and houses on stilts.

and pretty seashells.

Hooray for good memories and days like this. . . may there be many, many more.