The Beach Trip

For the first time ever (and I mean EVER!) we took a vacation on our own. Just our immediate family. Just Mama, The Daddy and the kids.

Scratch vacation. We took a trip to the beach. :)

Over Memorial Day weekend, we enjoyed the sun and sand and snot. Yes, our little SJ was a trooper with his snotty nose that ran for the entire trip. In those seven days at New Smyrna Beach, he got to experience lots of firsts.

First time in the sand at the beach:

Loved playing with and eating the sand!

First time to see the Atlantic Ocean

First time in the ocean: he wasn't too sure about it.

Watching the waves

Feeling the sand and salt water on his toes

These two had an absolute blast going back and forth between the beach, the baby pool and the big pool.

We stayed in the same condo complex with our good friends the Bishops.

One night we even met up with some other friends in Port Orange at Aunt Catfish's restaurant.

Aunt Catfish's is brilliant because they have a playground out front for the long wait times!

HJ, Brooke and AE

Going down the slide together!

Parker

SJ being a trooper again!

For the first time ever, we were able to put all the big(ger) kids down at one end of the table so the adults could socialize a little easier! All of us parents were so impressed with how well everyone behaved!

At our table were:

• four families
• 19 people total
• two sets of twins
• 7 boys and 4 girls aged 5 and under
• two highchairs
• lots of fun, laughter and conversation!

Racing to the beach

Just before the sky opened up, the girls and The Daddy took a walk on the ONE morning we had gray skies. Later that afternoon, the sun returned. Every day we were there was ABSOLUTELY gorgeous.

Lots of wildlife on the beach:

AE with her friend, Carter:

HJ getting in on the action:

Our ONE family shot from the whole trip:

It's been a great start to the summer!

Freedom Rock

Growing up we always drove to Florida for vacation. We once even drove from Tennessee to the state of Washington for a family reunion in Quilcene, Washington at my great aunt and uncle's lake house on Dabob Bay. That iconic trip through National Parks to the serene beauty of that area was our most memorable family experience. And we swung through Graceland on our way back. I'm going to Graceland, Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee! We listened to my mom's favorite, Paul Simon often too.

On long road trips, we listened to radio stations that played that kind of music along with The Who, Iron Butterfly, and Pink Floyd.

As a preteen/teenage girl, you can imagine my dismay. All I wanted to hear was New Kids on the Block and Janet Jackson. Poison. Any hair band or pop sensation. Tiffany. Yes, Tiffany.

In case you were born 10 years after me, there is an iconic commercial for a compilation of rock songs from the 60s and 70s. It always reminds me of my dad and brother.

Here's what I'm talking about:

We also used to buy answering machine messages. Yes, we used to use an answering machine, record clever outgoing messages on it and retrieve those messages only when we got home. To our land line.

Crickets.

My favorite, "Nobody's HOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMME! Nobody's HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMME!"

So, this post is what happens when my mind wanders. Have a happy weekend!

The Gulf Coast Edition

Last Friday after my latest doctor's appointment, we made our first trek over to the Gulf Coast from our new home. Although we are now in the same state, the trip to Poppy's house is actually LONGER.

On Saturday, we headed straight for the beach.

HJ contemplating the water

Poppy trying to persuade her in

AE got right in with NO fear

Bright sun

Poppy makes progress

And The Daddy carries her in

Smiles abound

After a short trip to the pool Sunday morning, we had some rain showers. When it started to clear up, The Daddy took the girls fishing.

Waiting her turn

The only fish we caught

After fishing we headed out for a ride on Poppy's boat.

On our ride over to the yacht club, we got to see some beautiful houses.

Once we made it over to the yacht club, we docked and made the rounds with Poppy's friends.

The point at the yacht club

Once we returned from our fun ride, the girls got in the pool again and Poppy grilled out some burgers and dogs for our al fresco dining experience on his patio.

Yesterday we spent about 9 hours in the car taking the scenic route home along the coast. Won't be taking that route again! The ride was beautiful along the water, but once we got off the coast, all there was to look at was forest.

The girls and The Crazy Dog are such good travelers though. 15+ hours in the car and no tantrums, no accidents and no TV!

Now, that's a miracle!

Take Me Captive!

The Daddy and I celebrated our 8th anniversary together by taking a vacation without the girls. This trip is our new tradition: instead of buying each other gifts, we will go on a trip together.

I like it!

With Nana and Papa in town to care for the girls, we drove on down to the western coast of Florida. We went to Captiva Island, just north of Sanibel. The resort we stayed at was perfect. Good food. Clean rooms. Beautiful scenery. Lots of activities!

Our room wasn't far from where this picture was taken. See my belly? Bigger than it should be. When you see me in person, I KNOW it's not that big!

As soon as we got there, our room wasn't ready. What do you do? Head to the spa for a pedicure!

The next morning, I accompanied The Daddy for a short 9-hole par-3 course.

I drove the cart and took pictures.

Pretty!

Summertime toes

Doesn't he look professional?

I love how you can see the ball up in the air in this shot and the sand spraying up!

While we were on the island, we enjoyed spotting many, many animals:

Didn't see a manatee.

Lots of birds:

The dolphins were everywhere. I almost became used to seeing them!

Never saw a tortoise.

Stopped here to hike and look for gators:

This is the only gator we saw. See the tail tracks? Looks like two gators passed across the trail here!

The water around the island is GORGEOUS!

There I am para sailing!

Just kidding.

To celebrate our anniversary, we headed out to The Mad Hatter.

Ironically, Nana just bought the girls Alice in Wonderland and they watched it while we were gone!

Just to let you know how delicious this meal was, here's what I had:

• Water to drink (boy, how I wanted a nice glass of wine!)
• Goat Cheese Pillows to start
• Marinated Crab claws (compliments of the chef)
• Bread with a pesto and tomato spread
• The Spiced Watermelon Salad
• Black Truffle Sea Scallops
• Classic Creme Brulee

I'm so sorry you weren't there! Dining seaside while the sun set made us long to return, but the food was reason enough to go back!!!!

Of course while we were there, we enjoyed a few beautiful sunsets on the beach.

Best of all while we were gone, construction/destruction began on our addition! In 60-90 days, we should have a new master suite. The new KING SIZE bed couldn't come at a better time...