Highlights Part 6

Family Photos
We had two sets of professional photos taken this trip. We had one with just our family (Parents and siblings and their families) and then another shoot with the whole Moore clan...always a hoot. We were so excited that at the last minute, all of our Moore cousins flew in. We haven't gathered like this in years...it's been at least since before I was married. A wonderful reunion for sure! Erin and I tried to take a few more photos together before we left. The photos below are a few of those (obviously not the professionals) Amber brought down Camilla's adorable tutu for Moriah and Nina to play with which was so much fun for them.

Highlights Part 5

Bringing the zoo to the zoo!
We left the beach for one afternoon and made a pilgrimage to the zoo. There is always something special about each zoo and this one is no exception. We loved the bird exhibit and the kids got such a kick seeing the birds land on their arms. The huge tortoises and the "walk right in and fend for yourself" petting zoo were also very fun. Most of the animals are very close at this zoo so it was prime viewing for the little ones.

Beachin' it

We made lots of early morning and late afternoon trips to the beach to keep the sunburn to a minimum. This was the perfect time of the year to be at the beach. Few tourists, milder temps, and fairly calm water. There was tons more seaweed on the shore than usual this year, but the kids didn't seem to mind too much.

Highlights Part 4

The Wing
The "Wing" was another big hit. Dad pulled the kids behind the boat on the wing and even Nina and Moriah gave it a try. Sela got brave and started standing up and pretending to sleep while Dad pulled her faster and faster. It was so funny to watch her little show on the water!

Highlights Part 3

Sand Dunes
My kids just LOVED the dunes. Further down the beach where there are no condos or homes, there are dunes that go for miles and miles. Rollin was like a little sand crab when he hit the dunes and he would be sweaty and covered in sand from head to toe within minutes. Sela got a kick out of jumping from the big dunes and rolling down to the bottom. We drove down the beach several times to endulge them in this new favorite activity. I was also trying to get some pictures, but sadly, something was wrong with my camera this trip and none of my photos turned out very well. Big bummer. But, at least we have the memories (though in this family, we can't count on much memory, can we?! :)

Highlights Part 2

Incredible Fishing on the Pier
While we able to catch at least a few trout each night, we had one incredible night where all the kids were catching keepers like crazy! It was such a blast. I love to fish, but it was even more of a kick to watch Sela catch her own all by herself. The first couple of nights we fished at the island, Dad was putting the bait on, hooking the fish, and letting Sela and Nina reel them in. Things were so hot this one evening that the kids couldn't wait for Dad to hook them all up and they started taking care of themselves..and they were great at it! Sela caught her own live shrimp in the bucket, put her bait on, caught her own fish and brought it in while one of the other cousins netted it, and vice versa. At one point, the fishing was so good that Kennedy laid her pole down on the pier to help net Sela's fish, and a fish took her bait and pulled her pole in the water. Oh, it was just an absolute blast. Dad had a perma smile across his face all night long as well! He lives for this kind of stuff and seeing the kids have fun. We ended the night with 14 keepers and lots of happy and very exhausted children!

Highlights Part 1: South Padre Island 2008

Is there anything better than "The Cousins?"
Well, we had such a fun trip to Texas. None of us were ready to leave!! Probably on the top of each of our lists, adults and kids alike, was seeing each other's little ones and watching our children enjoy every
moment with their cousins. Being so spread out, we don't see each other near as often as we would like. Everyone met Jude Mecham (Erin's baby) for the first time and what a sweet and adorable baby he is. The cousins shared lots of love, fun, laughs, food, a cold or two, pushing fests (2year olds),hugs, and tears when it was time to say goodbye. We feel so fortunate Sela, Nina and Rollin have such wonderful cousins to grow up with. It is such a strength and comfort to know such strong bonds will only continue to grow and bless our lives.