Beach Bums

When all were down at the beach the last weekend of August.  Kate had an especially good time!  She could not get enough of the water.  She was is really starting to get up on two feet more often.  This was her favorite place to be the entire weekend…  Fingers clinched around yours, walking just as fast as she can. 

When Mamma and I walked down to the water with her she was fearless!  I think this one will always be a favorite.

She would have kept going if we would have let her!
 
Look at her now!  Standing there all by herself.  This was one of the first times I watched her go from sitting to standing, without having to pull herself up.  Oh boy, here we go!!
  
Now she wasn’t quite as excited about the boat experience.  Maybe it was the fat life jacket strapped to her, or maybe it was the fact that we were speeding across a big body of water.  Either way, she really wasn’t too sure what to think of it. 

 
Ryley and Jackson on the other hand – LOVED going fast!

There she is -- she’s back!  Get her outta the boat, peel off the life jacket and show her to the water.  I’d say she’s pretty happy now.  Wouldn’t you agree?? 
 
After a fun day out on the water, I somehow convinced Jackson to walk down to the beach with me.  Even though he normally hates the sight of the camera, I was honest and told him I wanted to take a few pictures.  Surprisingly, he was a very, very good little model!
 
We got down there right as the sun was beginning to set – I think photographers will tell you that it’s the best time to photograph.  I must agree.  I mean is this kid a stud or what?  Totally looks like a page from a summer catalog!


Once I knew we had lots of great ones to share, we just had a little fun.  Jackson has loved chasing the little sandpipers on the beach since he first learned to walk.  It is amazing to watch how far he’ll run after them.  And how fast he is!  He had me out of breath, trying to keep up with him!

Then he found a big hole that was perfect for jumping.  I think I may have already mentioned that he’s fascinated by jumping.  This actually turned out to be one of my favorite shots.  It totally captures him and all the magic of a 3 year old. 
  
Ryley and Emma got back from a birthday party while we were out there and happened to have their tye dyed garb with them, too.  By the time they got changed and onto the beach, Jackson was over taking pictures, so I really didn’t get much of the three of them.  Besides, they would have been one cousin short anyway, since Kate was already sleeping. 

The lovely Ryley always makes a great model though!  I may not have captured her face in the twirling shot, but I still love it.  It so fun, so her!

And Emma, yep that’s Emma.  Just like I captured Jackson and Ryley’s personalities, I totally got the perfect shot of Emma.  She is such a little nut!  Ryley gives us the angelic pose and playful twirl and Emma gives us this…  Amy and I both were just cracking up at her moves out there. 

She may be a nut, but she’s still a sweet little nut.  I love her hands in this picture.  It’s like she’s anticipating as they come closer. 

After our fun photo shoot on the beach, we went back up where the boys were grilling.  While they finished up, Ryley, Jackson and Emma played a little football.  This picture makes me laugh every time I look at it.  I’m pretty sure he just blew the tackle and is going in for the score…having lost one flip-flop and the other stuck between toes 3 and 4.  That’s my boy!
  
To see all the pictures from the weekend, click the link to the slideshow below.

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