For the past few years, my mom's side of the family has gathered in summertime for a family reunion.  They've been to Wilmington, NC and New Braunfels, TX and somewhere in Pennsylvania that I can't recall.  The reason I can't recall it is because until this past summer, I've never been able to attend.  Life as a wedding photographer just didn't allow for vacation during the summer months.  Seeing as I'm scaling back that part of my life, I decided to make the reunion a priority for Bobby, Millie and me in 2011.

This year, the reunion location was set for the Jersey Shore.  Being a Texas girl, I've always beached in the South.  Before I went in August, I honestly had no idea what the Jersey Shore was like other than what I had read about in the tabloids and what I knew of it from MTV.  You know...Snooki, GTL, booze flowin', fist pumpin', and general debauchery.  However, the town we visited was the definition of CHARMING.  Beach Haven, New Jersey is everything you think of when you hear "New England beach town".  It's chock full of cute cottages, has gorgeous crisp ocean water, the best root beer floats, clams for days, a quaint amusement park, and those adorably preppy bikes with two seats and a bell.  Brrrrring!  Brrrrring!  There was not a Snooki in sight for miles and then some.  Trust me.  I would return to Beach Haven in a heartbeat.

What made this trip even more special was FINALLY meeting my grandmother's brother.  I maaaaaay have met him when I was little, but CERTAINLY haven't seen him since.  "Uncle Bud" is sooo the boy version of my "Nanny" in looks and personality.  It's almost frightening.  It was great to get to know him and his children and grandchildren as they all live on the East Coast.  The reunion was also an incredible opportunity to grow closer to and make memories with my own mom, brother, and cousin Lis and her family, even though we all are from Texas.

We did so many fun things in Beach Haven, and I didn't always bring my camera.  I tried to be present and strengthen bonds and all of that good stuff.  It's kinda hard to photograph when you're boogie boarding or riding the Tilt-a-Whirl or eating fried shrimp or playing Skee-Ball or drinking the best martini ever, and out of a red Solo cup, no less.  However, I did love watching Mills bond with her cousins, and I managed to snap a couple of frames for posterity.  Here are just a few of my favorites!