Orange Beach, Alabama- The Long Awaited Part I

Almost every summer, my parents get the itch to head to the beach.  They usually rent a condo on the water and invite us to come along.  How can we say no to that?  This year, they booked a place on Orange Beach in Alabama.  My mom's sister and her family booked a place on the same floor for the same week, so it was fun to spend some time with them.  We didn't get to leave until Wednesday thanks to my lovely vacation policies at work, so we didn't pull in until a little after midnight Wednesday night, but we woke up ready to hit the beach Thursday morning!

Have you seen a cuter beach babe?  No?  Didn't think so.

Audrey enjoying her first real beach experience.  She didn't do much of the beach stuff when we were in Florida  last year, you know, being a month old and all.

Audrey wasn't a big fan of being in the ocean, so she spent a good portion of time under the umbrella on the beach.

My dad, my cousin Matt, his wife, Stephanie, and their son, Derek, checking out their catch of the day.  Whatever it is, it is definitely smaller than the snapper and cobia they caught deep sea fishing a couple days prior!

We moved up to the pool later that morning.  Both girls much preferred the pool.  Charlotte was a little cautious with the ocean, but warmed up to it the next couple days.

Charlotte swimming with my cousin, Carrie

The view from our condo.  Sigh.  I want to go back.  Tomorrow.

Playing on the balcony after nap

Audrey wants to join in on the fun.

Teasing her sister

For some reason, I just love this picture of Audrey.  That sweet face gets me every time.

Loving sisters.

Sorry, Audrey.  At least Charlotte looks sweet.

Watching the ocean.

Why hello there, cutie pie!

Walking on the beach with Daddy

Feet in the sand

Waving to the waves

Feeling the tide

She is just so beautiful, isn't she?

Bye, ocean!  See you tomorrow!

Rinsing off.  Who knew it could be so fun?

Charlotte rinsing off everything but herself.

Dinner at the Dimmitt's cabin.  They made some of the snapper my mom (I think) caught earlier that week.  Oh my goodness, delicious.  Not many things better than freshly caught fish.

My little stinker refusing to smile for a picture before we headed out on to the beach to hunt for crabs.  We only found two, but we ran into some teenagers who had not only caught a crab and a jelly fish, but also a devil ray.  It was pretty crazy to watch the thing thrashing around in a bucket.  The boys were scared to throw it back, but we learned later that they can't actually sting with their stingers, but still fun.