Beach, Part 1

June 2-8

Beach Vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama

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It was a loooong drive, but so worth it!  We left home at 7:30a and made it to the beach house at 5:00p.  We were all ready to get out of the crowded car, see our friends, check out the house and hurry to the beach!

(Love the pic Crosby took of himself--how cute is he in flip-flops!)  :)

This was Crosby's first time to see the ocean, and he was super excited about it!  He loved it! (Well, he loved it the first night and the next morning...until he got sunburned on his shoulders, then it was a little bit of a struggle to convince him to stay at the beach.)

Alexee and Rhett had not seen the ocean since 2008.  They all jumped into the waves in their regular clothes!

Candy and her family arrived shortly after us.  It was so good to see them again!  We all played at the beach for just a little while, then drove back into Gulf Shores for dinner (our rental was in Ft. Morgan, about 15 miles from all the shopping/restaurants).  It was getting late and we were all tired from the day of travel.  We decided on Mellow Mushroom, which was really good.  I'd never eaten there before, and now I'm happy that one is opening in our town!  We all went straight to bed when we got home...looking forward to a fun week ahead.

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The house was great.  It was so convenient being right on the beach, and the view was just beautiful.

The water was calm the first day.  We saw several manta rays (? really not sure what they were, but that's what someone told us) and even one SHARK.  I love to look at the ocean--I could sit and watch it for days and days, but I'm honestly not crazy about swimming with sea creatures.  Especially sharks.  We enjoyed beautiful weather every day, but Tropical Storm Andrea did cause the waves to be much rougher later in the week.  We stayed out of the water then of course.

Tim & Lane pointing out something swimming in the water.

I was so grateful that the kids all got along so well!  Everyone had a buddy (close to) their age.  Crosby and Ev were cute in their matching Spider-Man life jackets.  Crosby turned 4 in March and Everett turned 4 in May.  They had a great time playing together!

You can barely see it, but this bucket has a jelly fish in it!  Another reason I 'd rather just LOOK at the ocean.

Monday evening we tried to go to LuLu's, but the wait was way too long for us.  We moved on to Tin Top where there was no wait to be seated...at least for anyone willing to dine on the patio.  We should have known it was trouble when we saw several bottles of Off bug spray on every table.  The food was fine, but it took a long time and the bugs nearly ate us up while we waited.  I'm still covered in bites.

The Spanish moss was so pretty on the trees

Tuesday night we decided to stay home and grill burgers.  The guys did a great job on that.

Candy and I thougt this would be a good night to do family pictures on the beach.  For us, I'm not sure it's ever a good time to do family pictures.  Are we the only ones that always end up in a fight?  I just can't seem to ever have everyone in a picture-taking mood, but I keep trying.  Alexee and Rhett were actually cooperative this time...Crosby not so much.  He had been crying in these photos, but they're far enough away that maybe it doesn't look like it?  Ha!

This was May 2008

Rhett was the same age that Crosby is now...and I barely remember Alexee being this small!?  They're growing up TOO FAST.

 Sweet smiles from Alexee!

Alexee, Ella, Everett, Ethan, Rhett & Crosby (soaked and silly)

The Joyce Family--so happy to know them!

(I've been looking forward to this trip since Christmas.  I'm sad that it's over.)  :(

Joyce Family & Garner Family

June 2013

I'm extremely thankful for healthy children and the opportunity we had to spend time together at such a beautiful place last week.