Back in June, my sisters and our families made a trip down to the coast to enjoy some R&R.  Although, I prefer the cooler months, this trip to the ocean with my family is something that I hold near and dear to my heart.  Many family memories have been made down by the sea.  Some years we've only been for a couple of days and then others it's been a whole week but no matter how long the stay, we always try to honor this tradition with each other.  We've watched our kids grow up pushing Tonka trucks in the sand and building drip sand castles while sitting in the salt water pools that the tide left behind.  This year was no different, thankfully we were all able to enjoy a few days together doing some of the following. 

Sleepy eyed mornings out on the deck... 

beach 2012 017e Big cousins taken care of the "mini's"...

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Finding big chairs out by the seaside...beach 2012 189e

and bike riding were part of our days...beach 2012 300e

beach 2012 297e Ponytails were the "hairdoo" of choice...

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With the best babysitters around!beach 2012 167e Cute little bathing suits had to be sported...

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And laughing babies...well, not much to say other than she just makes us feel good...beach 2012 158e

Eating 3' long candy snakes...beach 2012 159e

and pirate adventure dolphin tours...beach 2012 224e

then to end the day Gigglng on the floor with cousins...beach 2012 091 and the older ones lost in a good read...

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Funny looking sea creatures, a Ribbon Fish maybe???beach 2012 305e then the tiny ones spotting Uncle Billy in the crowd...

beach 2012 294e sandy tootsies...

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And of course, if I'm around, there will be more pictures at sunset!

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beach 2012 539e beach 2012 526e Until next year, that wraps up our family sea side memories for 2012!