Beach days with cousins

We've had family visiting over the holidays, 

and some sunny days in the middle of a lot of gray ones.  

So one day this past week the kids, their cousins, an auntie and some friends 

all met down at the beach.  They swam, talked, played in the sand, 

and the big kids put the little kids on their shoulders and had "chicken fights"  

They came home a little burnt and really happy. 

Later on in the week a bunch of them got together again and went to the water park; 

the kids also found time to have a movie night and another night for frozen yogurt. 

We also met on Sunday for a potluck.  

We spent hours together eating really good food, talking and laughing.  

There is something so nourishing to the soul

  when we take the time to be with family- to talk and laugh.  

Here are some shots of beach days with cousins and friends.

 Tonight the cousins left to go back home.  We went over to say goodbye, helped them pack a few last minute things and then Scott joined the caravan transporting people and luggage to the airport.  We'll miss them, but are grateful for the time we had, knowing it was time well spent and filled to the brim.