It doesn’t feel like summer for us until we have hit the beach! The sand, surf and staying in your swimsuit all day kinda life is just what we need as school lets out for summer.

While I honestly don’t get my camera out as often as I used to, I do make sure I get that one beach photo of my daughter to mark the occasion. I started this when she was five and got the luckiest photo ever of her on the beach!!! Her sweet little face with that rainbow in the sky. Love it.

While I haven’t gotten rainbow lucky again, I have managed to get a beach photo every year since and seeing how much she’s grown really, really makes me happy… and sad… and… you know what I mean. Emily asked me on this latest family vacation… “Mom, do you think I will bring MY kids to the beach for summer vacations?” I sure hope so, and I hope I am tagging along too!!! ( pics below are 5 years old – 14 years old)