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{some of the photos below were taken by Teagan, the rest- as usual some by Andrew, most by me}

The best part about having friends ALL OVER the US is that while you miss them so much on most days, the times when they are able to visit become incredibly special. Our house is ALWAYS open to our friends, everyone knows it. And most of our friends out of state have taken advantage of the open door policy ( in a good way) as frequently as they can. We love that! There’s something special about having people you love spend a week or two living in your house, having fun, waking up and going to sleep with you, watching movies, taking trips to the beach. It’s like a big adult and sometimes co-ed slumber party. Actually, now that I think of it, I need to buy like 10 sets of Victoria’s Secret pjs of all sizes just for guests, so that we would match too :)

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As I mentioned in the post about our birthdays, the morning after my birthday fun, we woke up and hurried off to the beach before the sun got too high and too hot.

This was officially Lexi’s first dip in the ocean and I was super excited to see how she’d react. She absolutely loved the water. There were smiles and giggles and lots of splashing.

There’ s really not much more to say, it’s all captured in the photos below.

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I find days like these  the most magical.

We’re always in a rush, always working, never seem to have time to just relax and go somewhere. Plans to meet up with friends or go to the beach are always viewed as an inconvenience or obligation until we actually get there….ahhhh. And then we remember what life is about.

It’s so easy to get lost in the “work work work” mode, or the “baby” mode, or whatever currently occupies you. So hard to step back for a second and remember why we are here. And that is to enjoy life to the fullest. For some people that might mean food, or alcohol or smoking or fast cars. For me, it’s the easy laid back days at the beach like yesterday.

When people find out we’re vegan/vegetarian and we don’t eat most processed foods,they  say “You only live once! Enjoy it! Stop being so strict with food. Live a little!”

But for me THAT IS LIFE! I love being healthy and feeling healthy and I want to continue enjoying beach days like this well into the old age. I want to look good and feel good forever. That is why taking care of my body, being mindful of what I eat, how much  exercise  is not a chore for me. It honestly brings me joy. Joy that I am doing the absolute best for my health.

How did this post turn into a health post? I’m not sure, but what I do know is that moments like yesterday is what really makes me feel alive. And photography prolongs those feelings because I get to bask in those moments for a few more days while I edit the photos, and then a few more when I share them with you, guys. And then when I’m old and wrinkly, I will look at my young hot self and for a second remember what it felt like.

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