The Beach

And off they walked into the sunset...

Or alternatively... Meanwhile, I read books on the beach and left all those children to him... ha ha...

Or finally... What a sight!!

How are those for openings?

And yes, I did eventually cover up GQ's head.

And yes, E is clinging to her Daddy's leg for dear life. M loved the water, and E loved staying up in the condo and playing dress-up princess. Are we really surprised?

E, during one of her short stints on the beach. She is hanging out next to M's favorite snacks. You try convincing the girl not to eat seaweed. I challenge you to accomplish that!

GQ developed a serious acne problem since I decided to brave the dangers of sunblock and skip the dangers of burning. (We'll leave that to Justin... how a red-head "forgets" to put sunblock on his legs is more than beyond me.)

GQ and Mom spent most of the trip like this. (And that does include fake-smiling for the picture you're pretending you don't know about.)

Justin pulls off this fake-glance-away sooo much better than me.

Another attempt at feigning obliviousness.

Whenever a wave would come, Justin would say "I've gotcha." Soon M was returning the favor: "Gotcha, Daddy. Gotcha."

Anyone want to teach me how to photoshop out the other foot in the corner?

Cousins. They did great together. Other than that time when E threw a block at Ava's head. Says Mom: "Why did you throw a block at Ava's head?" Says E, "Well, she threw (insert some extraordinarily soft item here... like kleenex or a blanket or maybe even nothing at all) at me." Oh, of course. That completely makes it kosher to throw a block at your cousin's head. Not that I can say I've never done it. What say you, Laura? Have I ever thrown a block at your head? Or was it something larger? Hmmmm... the fine art of being cousins...

Writing their names in the sand...

The Christensen clan... the third generation. Never mind that Russ Russ is screaming for his mother.... who just sat him down and abandoned him... can you believe it?????? I believe the intructions for this photo were "Grab your children, drop them, and run." Mission accomplished. I think the other beach-goers were more than gawking at the abundance of toddler-aged children we gathered up between us.

When all else fails... just stand on your head.