Beach Time!

 Sunday morning, we awoke to sunny skies and another beautiful day in Gulf Shores.  By mid-morning, everyone was ready to go check out the beach.  I took our kids while Jared went in search of some breakfast. More on that later...he did good, though!

Such cute surfer kids.

Everyone was a bit nervous about Cameron's reaction to the beach.  We remember, all too well, her awful aversion to the beach the last time we were in Florida.  Tears every single time I said it was time to go play there--no lie.  So many tears and so much crying.  I am pleased to say that she has officially outgrown that stage!

Only smiles for everyone this go round!

This beach had so many cool shells, too.

And really awesome waves, as well!

This girl has always got a ready pose.  How do you not just love that?!

She was so content to run back and forth with the waves.

I think it's safe to say, we were all loving life.

My girls were building sand castles...

while Jackson and I were chatting about how cool it was to finally be back at the beach.

"Ice cream, mom?"

I did have a scoop of "ice cream" and then Jared arrived at our chairs with the greatest breakfast.  Waffle House, delivered to us!  Genius.  I love him.

Jenny and Dusty arrived with Dylan and JP a little later.  Yay!

Then Reid, Cooper and Beau showed up as well.  Having friends at the beach is simply the BEST!

We enjoyed the next few hours tremendously...

Lila helped Dylan brave the waves.

Cami boogie boarded with Beau's oldest sister, Linnae.

Lila got some help hopping over the biggest waves from Daddo... 

and these baseball boys played catch all afternoon.

They could play jackpot for hours on end.

When Beau and Reid had to go in for lunch, Jackson and Cooper tried out their boogie boarding skills.

Not a bad little scene!

And when Dylan and JP went to take a nap, Cami convinced Cooper's brother, Carter, to let her bury him in the sand.  One thing is for sure, nobody ever ran out of friends on this trip!

Three cheers for vacation!

We took a vote and decided that we could get used to this scene every day.

By mid-afternoon, guess who was back at the beach?

I just love this girl!

We found a little place for dinner that night...

which just so happened to be right next to an Ice Cream Shop!  Very, very good!

After we got home, it was time for the final event of the day--crab hunting!  We got out our flashlights and nets and headed down to the beach.  While we had a good time, the crabs were nowhere to be found!  No worries, though.  We still love you, Gulf Shores.