To Gualala, a-camping we will go

Last year we found this beach across the street from our redwood river hideaway.

This year we couldn't wait to go back and stay for the entire day.

And it was a GORGEOUS day!

We packed the day with all things beachy...

Sand sculptures...she's a mermaid ;) 

and I snapped this one as she was checking out her 'figure'

....this face is classic: 

The beach is littered with driftwood and quite a few of these were already constructed onsite.

The girls used them as playhouses.

And the boys used the wood to make us a table.

Well, by boys I mean Abe. 

He is quite the engineer.  And he had big plans for that table later on.

Des showed her mad weaving skills and hooked us all up with seagrass bracelets.

They were awesome :)

The weather was perfect and we basically had the beach ALL to ourselves!

People would walk onto the beach and leave almost as quickly.

We kinda had a monopoly going.

The guys lugged shovels out onto the beach and dug hole after hole.

Some were reinforced as huts.

 

And others were used for our meals.

In fact we ate twice down at the beach.

But dinner was EPIC.

Abe had smoked pulled pork and Des chopped up sweet potatoes, squash and mushrooms.

Then it was placed into a sandy pit.

For two hours:

 

Meanwhile, we just hung out.

Climbing cliffs:

Exploring tidal caves...

 And lots and lots of time in the water:

And oooomigoodness....did I mention how much our dog LOVES the ocean??

He was completely in his element.  

He chased wave after wave and followed the kids everywhere they went. 

We capped off the evening with classic smores. 

I've loved reminiscing about this day.

It's been such a happy thought as I shake the sand from all our clothes.

The laundry has been a nightmare but the 

memories are priceless. 

We're already plotting our beach meals for next year.  

Though the BBQ pulled pork will be hard to beat!

Gah isn't camping always about the food? ;)

What a gift to share it with amazing friends!

Family Wedding Fun!

Welcome to the wedding of Felicia and Kyle.

One hot September day in 2011, these two crazy kids welcomed everyone to this beautiful location along the Sacramento River.

Owned by those dear to the bride, this gorgeous house was an absolutely perfect setting for this union.

Surrounded by family and friends they had one of THE most laid back, lovely affairs I've ever witnessed!

But let me back up a bit.

This is my cousin Felicia.

She's adorable.

And she adores our Talia.

So it was perfect that she asked Natalia to be their flower girl. 

I'm sure you could guess how excited our little girl was.

In her mind this was 'her wedding' that we all got to witness.

Felicia and Kyle adorned her with earrings and pearls.

And she practiced her twirls.

It was all quite magical.

Felicia really was the most relaxed bride I've ever seen. 

And that made even routine things like picture taking go smoothly.

So the family gathered for a casual BBQ and there were many reunions in store.

Cousins came from all over.  North Carolina, Bakersfield, etc....

Here are the girls:

And the cousins met up with Uncles like my dad.

And Aunties like my mom. 

Most of us keep in touch via Facebook, so it was a blast for my cousins to meet the subjects of all my posts and photos.

  Soon it was show time and our little flower girl sprinkled the grass after the bridesmaids came up the aisle.

She was in her element. 

She even stood there for the entire ceremony.

And the ceremony was beautiful.

The vows especially. 

One of my favorite lines was "I am your biggest fan."

I think that is SO important in a marriage :) 

We all fought back tears. 

And as the bride and groom walked out to Prince's "Let's go Crazy," 

Natalia prepared for part two of her 'show.'

She handed out her extra roses to any one who would take them.  

It was cute.
I also happened to capture her recap to her cousins.

She's showing off her earrings.

And asking them if they saw how she threw the flowers.

She was just thrilled with her little part in the event.

The whole occasion was a celebration of family.

I just wish we all lived closer.

For now we'll have to settle for holiday visits.

I won't soon forget the beauty of this union.

I've been 'a fan' of these two since I took their engagement photos.  

And we were thrilled to be a part of their special day.

Witness the proud momma:

And Daddy's little girl.

I can't imagine the next time he will stand next to her in a white dress.

Congratulations to Kyle and Felicia.

May this journey continue to be magical and as easy going as your wedding day.