Beach Bash / Cousin's Camp 2012

Those are "my people" getting ready to hit the beach for the first time this beach trip.  We spent a couple of days at the condo and had sooooo much fun!

It was Maryann's first time at the beach and she wasn't too sure about it.  She loved being held in the gulf but she had mixed feelings about playing in the sand.  This was always her initial reaction when I put her down (even though she was on the blanket).

Then she would get distracted by unpacking my beach bag and happiness would follow.

We went to the water every morning and evening but spent the afternoons inside doing fun "Cousin's Camp Activities".  The kids loved swimming and splashing in the gulf and building sandcastles on the shore.  They caught a crab and a couple of fish with Adam and collected countless seashells.  We got ice cream from a little beachside ice cream shop, and did pretty much everything you should do on a good beach trip. 

Since we were at the beach, Marinda and I planned a lot of fun beachy Cousin's Camp activities for the kids.  They made octopus handprint beach hats...

Went "Goldfish" fishing...

The kids earned "Kindness and Bravery Coins" which they could use to buy prizes each day.  Here they are showing off their earnings...

Made movie snack necklaces and watched the Pirates Who Don't o Anything...

Made some yummy BaNilla sandwiches...

Went fishing and fed some turtles...

I am so thankful that we were able to spend this time together.  The kids had a blast and can't wait to go back.  And I just love the beach.

Cousins are the BEST!