Oh how I wish these toes could stay right there in the sand where they are all summer, even all year would be fine with me...but unfortunately they can not so here is the tale of our adventurous week on 30A this summer.
It started out like any other vacation, one mom...really, really ready for a break away from work. Two kids who were super excited to have mom and dad to themselves all week and lots of sugar!! What better way to get to all night packing then a sugar rush for the whole family. That next morning we were on our way!
We started the trip off with a little detour through Biloxi Beach. We met up with some friends who were coming home from the beach that Friday. It was a great stopping point and we found a great deal of activities to keep us busy. The girls loved this cheesy souvenir shop...but who wouldn't want to go in there right. I think we were just all so glad to be out of the car we didn't care where we went, traffic was terrible on the way down!
that night we got to have a great meal with friends, catch part of a show, go to the arcade and
Ice cream to finish it off! The girls favorite part when we got back to the hotel room was that we had adjoining rooms with the Gentry's so they ran from bed to bed jumping like little monkeys. Its the little things that really count when you are on vacation...and mom isn't having to scream at you because you are messing up her pillows... not that I ever do that.
The next morning we found a great coffee shop that made the best chocolate milk I have ever had and beignets for breakfast. I made sure to get them good and sugared up before we got in the car for a few more hours...which ended up being several hours due to the loving million other people headed in the same direction at the same time.
AB showing off the hotel..i would recommend to anyone traveling with kids..yes, it is a casino (I know what you might be thinking) but my kiddos never stepped foot in there and we found the best activities and pool around to keep them busy. They love it there!
a view from the balcony of the gulf
Our condo on the beach...we could not have lucked out any better...thanks to some scouting work by Penny beforehand, we found a condo that was a perfect fit for us. We were right there on the bottom, next to the pool and about 20 steps to the beach! It was perfection!!!
We met up with my mom and sister's family once we got to town and then as you might expect it was off for that dreaded trip to the grocery store with every other tourist in town. We managed to have a little fun while we were there though!
Our first breakfast at the condo...all the girls loved being together, maybe a bit too much at times but it was so nice to have the family all together (with the exception of my father who was planting at the time) Long story, but probably for the health and welfare of all involved it was best he stayed back to get his fields planted and so that the rest of the group was not glued to the weather channel or his phone all week wishing he was back home helping it was best for us as well. I thought when my father retired from a career in banking he would sit back and relax...no what am I saying I knew that would NEVER happen so hey at least he was happy and so were we, that's what vacation is about after all.
Finally, our first attempt to try out the tide...clothes and all!
Day 1 on the beach was beautiful, even though the setting on phone was off the water was gorgeous and perfectly blue just like we had hoped. This was the girls first trip past Orange Beach so I was hoping they would get the full effect of the change in the sand and water color that comes with going slightly farther down the beach. We still love some Orange Beach but it was nice to give see some new sights for a change this year.
That night Mitch and I took the 3 oldest to dinner at Seaside. The girls and I explored while Mitch waited for a table. We had a great time checking out the sights for the rest of the group later in the week.
The amphitheater stage in the center of town was a favorite.
and for me this was a favorite...basically my favorite meal all week! Shrimp and grits yaya from The Great Southern Café in Seaside. I promise you won't regret it!!
These three even agreed although not big on the seafood they opted for other dishes!
Day 2 was just as beautiful as the day before and the girls never stopped. They body surfed the entire day so much that we all kept taking turns helping them until our backs were too tired to go any longer.
Nana and June taking it all in..
Love these two smiling faces...that is what I'm talking about!
June was in full force in the sand. She seemed to really get the hang of it by the end of the trip.
Poor thing she never got a second alone in her pool, the big girls enjoyed it just as much as she did.
Nana's girls!
Some of life's greatest talks come walking along the beach...not sure this was one of those but I am sure Nana is now more informed after time alone with Brit.
Luckily for us the pool was literally two steps from our back porch so we got plenty of pool time in that week.
and then we were off, after a half a day of airing up tires and getting bikes, carts and such ready we headed out on our first adventure. Little AB has loved riding her bike at home but it didn't compare to getting to ride it to dinner like we did that week. However, the dads were the only ones brave enough to ride them home that night after dinner. I believe I quote Mitch as saying he thought I was trying to make good on that life insurance policy we have because he thought he might not make it back in the complete darkness that night coming home.
AB made it all the way... almost 5 1/2 miles on her bike, by far her longest ride. and these other two did too but at the expense of me and Bracy as they were attached to our bikes so not much pedaling took place.
Seaside here we come...
That night dinner at the Pizza Café..
The next morning dad and I snuck off for a jog and then coffee...we couldn't resist this place... I mean everyone wants a cup of Bad Ass coffee every morning right?!
Later that day the girls all got away for a bike ride in the other direction to Santa Rosa beach. We made it a few miles before we had to stop for a glass of water. I'm not sure if I am more proud of my daughter or my mother for making the trip that day. The girls did get a kick out of Nana on a bike!
Proof that it really happened...I knew my dad would have to see this to believe it!
Day 4 more beach bum madness...
I was still using my camera phone at this time so I don't think this picture really does the water any justice in showing exactly how blue it was that day.
Taking some time to find the shade...loved our spot on the beach because it was surrounded by homes so we had very few people to compete with over tent spots like we have in years' past.
I am only posting because it is the only picture of AB and I together on beach however, I do realize the hat is not completely on my head and I look like a complete dork!! (using that work because I know it is one of AB's favorites when referencing her mother!)
Just love seeing babies try out the ocean for the first time and June's reaction is awesome.
Happy,
happy,
happy girls. Just makes you wanna dance doesn't it!
One of my favorite pictures of the girls all week. Love these four cuties to pieces! This was on date night for Terri and Bracy. Mitch, mom and I took all four girls on an adventure and they had a blast.
Definitely not fine dining that night at Pickle's but it sure was yummy and we got to see all the action!!
Day 4 or so...who's keeping count right. Just beaching it with the whole family.
The girls even made a few sets of new friends over the week. These young ladies from Tennessee were such sweeties and they all had a blast hanging out together.
These two let Nana get them all dolled up for the night...old school rollers and all!
Day 5 we headed out to Rosemary beach for the afternoon to see the Children's theatre version of Sleeping Beauty on the square. The girls loved it!
So much that they wanted their picture with the evil stepmother.
Then afterwards we checked out the sights of Rosemary, which was just as beautiful as I had seen in pictures. Maybe a bit too quiet for our crowd at this stage but I could see coming back here with a few couples would be great.
So we moved on that night to something a little more our style...beanbags, grass, hamburgers and a movie!!! The HUB had it all! It can be found on 30A right in between Seagrove and Alys Beach. It was so much fun and the kids felt right at home, almost too comfortable there!
Everyone was happy because there were several restaurants to choose from so no one left hungry!
Day 6...we spent a few quick hours at the outlet mall and then returned for our last afternoon on the beach.
Too much cuteness in one photo if you ask me!!
Our last day on the beach...we made the most of it from dawn til dusk!
and no we didn't make this...not even close...but pretty cool work by someone that had a lot of free time on their hands that day!
My mom's a little more sneaky then I realized...however, I do actually appreciate the sneak attack, very few photos you will ever see of me from behind (haha) but love how she caught the two of us just hanging out, wish we got more moments like this!
Love my little sis!! #All natural and proud!
Our last night on the beach so we are not going down til the sun comes up!!
Day 7.. a little bike ride to start the morning off.
Followed by hanging out in Seaside that evening ,watching Happy Feet 2 in the amphitheater.
oh, and Frosty Bites... Enough said!!!
I think my pictures have gotten out of order somehow! I think this was Day 5 or 6 or whenever Mitch and I had date night!! We went to Watercolor for a walk and then dinner at Red Bar to complete the evening. While we were gone though Aunt T and Uncle B hooked the girls up with some spaghetti and THE hunt. Here is some evidence of the annual crab hunt that took place. The girls had Uncle B to show them the tricks and hone their hunting skills, I only caught the last of the hunt. I think we may have gotten a whole family of them before it was over though.
Uuuug...the dreaded beach picture time...but at least the guys were happy about it!! Not this is basically their attempt at sabotage. They are trying to show everyone how much fun we are having when in reality we were all about to strangle each other only minutes before. That is how it's done right though you all run around trying to get the kids dressed and such yelling it's time we have to get out there now and then everyone can barely stand next to each other and smile by the time you are done. You have bribed your children with everything possible and can't wait to get the clothes off to just go back to enjoying your vacation. Am I spot on, I hope so because I don't think we are the only one that seem to go through this year after year. But great picture of you guys either way!!
Now on to these two precious girls...and the many, many other takes at trying to get that family picture. I included them all so feel free to scroll on through but since I no longer print photos this is a photo album of sorts for the girls so I have probably gone into overload with posting them all.
Precious baby J
Nana with her 4 girls
One of AB's personal favorite beach memories...losing another tooth! This girl lost another one and can you believe it the tooth fairy found her at the beach! She even left a little note thanking her for the chance to see the beach that night on her trip. and maybe a little side note to remind little sister (who was afraid to sleep in the same room with her that night) that she is really nice!
and then...the dreaded trip home. B had run into a concrete wall underneath the pool and it never fails she has some sort of bo0boo every year in our beach pictures. If you don't believe me just look back on the blog for evidence. But we got a bunch of laughs on the very slow drive home that day at the "many face of B" She kept us entertained when we were all about to pull our hair out from the may hours in the car. here is mad...
sort of happy
really mad..
serious
and sad. All the emotions we all probably experienced on that drive home!
It was a great week at the beach and I can't wait to do it again next year! Lots of memories were made and smiles that will never be erased! Til next year...or maybe if we get really crazy this year!!
