We had been planning a trip to Destin, Florida with my family for about 9 months. The plan was to stay 4 nights with all of them in a big house. We decided that if we were going to drive all the way there, we were going to make it worth it. So I worked some extra urgent care shifts, and we saved our cash so that we could go early and spend some time there with just the five of us before everyone else came. It was such a great idea. We didn't realize when we booked the trip that it would fall the week after we moved into our new house, but it did, and it was actually perfect. That last month of building was quite stressful and busy and we didn't have much family time. So getting away together was just the thing we needed.
Even the drive down to Florida was fun. The kids were so excited, and it was just good to BE together.
They were so excited when we made a final stop for lunch before we got there, and there were palm trees!
Their first view of the ocean. Ever. They couldn't believe how white and soft the sand was. They had never seen sand like that before.
Our first family selfie in Destin, FL.
This was the view from our balcony.
The first few days we were there the water was pretty rough with a lot of waves. Each day got progressively calmer. But the rougher waves were more fun for body surfing!
We got right to business of putting on swimsuits and heading to the beach.
We spent a portion of each day out on the beach. These are some of my favorite beach pictures of the first half of the week.
We also spent time at the pool. There was an indoor pool and an outdoor pool, so Joe and I could read while the kids swam. And then we would get in and cool off for a while. It was perfect.
Norah met a little friend on the beach. They started building a sand castle together, and then I heard them singing together "our God is greater; our God is stronger; God you are higher..." Sweet girls, and her family was really sweet too. We met them on the beach and at the pool a few times so the kids could play together.
We always ate breakfast and lunch in our little condo, and then each evening we would go out to eat. It was always a fun adventure because we would just start driving and pick a place that looked good. We would split two entrees, which was more than plenty. It was fun to experience different restaurants together!
(this restaurant had a place that you could feed live little alligators!)
We had the perfect time with our family, and then we were so ready to see the rest of my family. We headed over to check into our big rental house that we were all staying in. And then everyone arrived. It was chaos but so fun.
We spent some time at the beach...
Some kids got buried in the sand...
And Joe and I still got a lot of reading time in (having big kids is pretty awesome!!)
There was also a fun pool at the house, so when kids and adults got tired of the beach they could go back to the house.
By the last few days the kids would say, "do we have to go to the beach? We want to just swim in the pool." What?!?! We have pools in Arkansas! There are no beaches like this in Arkansas!!
Gramma spent a good amount of time sitting by the pool holding babies and watching our kids swim. She's such a good Gramma!!
By the end of the day everyone was pretty wiped out and ready to relax.
One of the days we went and walked around a local pier and had lunch. It was a beautiful day.
Kylah loved helping Olivia, and they were so cute together.
This was the best cousin picture we got. I'm bummed we didn't get a cousin or big family picture on the beach... :(
We did take some family pictures of our little family on the beach, but not everyone else was there. Next time!
What a fun vacation. We will definitely be going to the beach again!
