Those are great photos, one and all!
Something to remember for later:  if you really want meaningful critique on your photos, you might want to only post a few at a time.  To be honest, I don't think I would want to write 11 different critiques at one time (I think you posted 11 photos up there?).  I can't speak for others but I think that's just a good rule of thumb.
That's fine for casual viewing but it's easier to get specific with a smaller number of shots at one time. (be it 1, 2 or 3 photos for example)

Oh, and welcome aboard the funny farm! 

I really like the second one, and the only thing that I would have changed would have been to add more of the sky and less of the beach to make it seem more even. With the large amount of sand at the bottom of the picture, my focus gets drawn downwards rather than up.

i like last one. first and second one needs more contrast and better focusing. theese things are about practise. also always shot raw format photos. you can change light,colour, contrast and other a few things easily and they are looking natural

thanks! any suggestions on where i can read about working with RAW photos? i'm still very new and completely in the dark on RAW format and post processing

Your first shot is a prime example of when HDR will work wonders.  And you wouldn't have to over cook it at all.
When I'm looking at a shot like this, I want to see what's inside as well as what's outside.  And to add to that, I'd want to see a little bit more.  By having some of the interior, I can get a feel of where this beach is at.  As of right now, it can be anywhere.  When I look at a landscape shot, I like to imagine I'm being taken to that location. 
So imagine this shot now, with tropical decor well lit and visible around the door.  Now I feel like I'm on a beach in the Florida Keys.  Switch the decor to say a nautical theme.  Lots of blues and whites.  Now, I'm maybe somewhere in the northeast.  Make sense?  I need some direction.
The second shot has some potential to be a great  shot.  I agree with getting rid a lot of the sand in the foreground.  Crop that sucker!  Its very clear to me what the flow in this picture is.  I look at the man.  I can see exactly the direction he's looking and I can follow his gaze to the little boy.  You've got two ways to go with your DOF here too.  You can go very small aperature and get everything in focus or you can go wide open so just the man and boy are in focus.  I think either would work.  One thing that doesn't work for me is the clothing the man is wearing.  They're blue and he is standing against the blue water and blue sky.  Now, you may not be able to help that.  But if you're setting a shot up like this, keep that in mind.
The third shot is compelling.  But, the hand or paw in teh foreground, can't quite tell what it is, is distracting.  Either get rid of it, by cropping, composing or asking her to move it.  Or, get it in focus.  which is what I might actually do.  By having the hand and paw clearly visible, the conveying of the emotion in this picture would be much stronger.

Your first shot is a prime example of when HDR will work wonders.  And you wouldn't have to over cook it at all.
When I'm looking at a shot like this, I want to see what's inside as well as what's outside.  And to add to that, I'd want to see a little bit more.  By having some of the interior, I can get a feel of where this beach is at.  As of right now, it can be anywhere.  When I look at a landscape shot, I like to imagine I'm being taken to that location. 
So imagine this shot now, with tropical decor well lit and visible around the door.  Now I feel like I'm on a beach in the Florida Keys.  Switch the decor to say a nautical theme.  Lots of blues and whites.  Now, I'm maybe somewhere in the northeast.  Make sense?  I need some direction.
The second shot has some potential to be a great  shot.  I agree with getting rid a lot of the sand in the foreground.  Crop that sucker!  Its very clear to me what the flow in this picture is.  I look at the man.  I can see exactly the direction he's looking and I can follow his gaze to the little boy.  You've got two ways to go with your DOF here too.  You can go very small aperature and get everything in focus or you can go wide open so just the man and boy are in focus.  I think either would work.  One thing that doesn't work for me is the clothing the man is wearing.  They're blue and he is standing against the blue water and blue sky.  Now, you may not be able to help that.  But if you're setting a shot up like this, keep that in mind.
The third shot is compelling.  But, the hand or paw in teh foreground, can't quite tell what it is, is distracting.  Either get rid of it, by cropping, composing or asking her to move it.  Or, get it in focus.  which is what I might actually do.  By having the hand and paw clearly visible, the conveying of the emotion in this picture would be much stronger.

i truly appreciate the feedback! very insightful and definitely had me going back and forth looking at alot of my other pictures. i see now that i still have a long ways to go as far as being able to set the shot up. the blue and grey clothes against the blue water never really hit me because they still contrasted in the shot

i appreciate all the good feedback from everyone. i feel like i've got a great jumping off point. the next time i post pictures i'll make sure to add the EXIF to the post. i completely forgot about that