Sweet Moments: My Second Home

Destin, Florida.

I wish I actually had a second home there. Maybe one day. There is just something about the crystal blue waters and the sound of the waves crashing that makes me relax and enjoy life. It's like the moment that we cross over the Midbay Bridge, I exhale a huge breathe and leave my every day life behind. Don't get me wrong. My life is wonderful. But I don't relax very easily at home. There is always something to be done, somewhere that we have to be. And with a newborn in the house, there is very little down time- or quiet time for that matter. But everything changes at the beach. Now, some of you might say it's because I'm on vacation, which is partly true. However, I've been on lots of vacations and I can tell you that, for instance, Walt Disney World is not a relaxing vacation. Fun? Yes. Relaxing? No. Although, I am really looking forward to going this fall because we are going with my brother's family and my parents. Hello, help and entertainment for Audrey!

But back to the beach... Audrey had a blast this year. Even wanted to buried in the sand. And if you've been reading this blog for the past 2 years, you know that's huge.

There was a little girl, Violet, who was the same age as her staying in the condo next to us so for the first 3 days they spent the mornings playing together. Which was really nice because the first 2 mornings I was at the beach by myself with the 2 girls while Brett was at the car dealership getting the car fixed (WHY is it that cars like to break while on vacation???). Emily didn't enjoy the beach as much as her sister. When Audrey was a baby, she slept under the umbrella the entire time. It was fabulous. I read several books on that trip. Emily? No way. She slept while I held her but as soon as I laid her on the towel, she started screaming. *SIDE NOTE: One sad misconception I had of the 2nd child is that they are naturally easy going. Emily's a good baby but she hasn't quite figured out how to go with the flow. I keep waiting, hoping, praying that she figures it out soon because as soon as preschool starts, our weeks are going to be quite busy.* One thing about Emily, though, is that she loves the water. Bath water, pool water, ocean water. Doesn't matter which she just loves being wet. The quickest way to make her scream is to take her out.

My sweet, chubby little girl- 2 months old

Audrey all ready for the beach- 3 yrs old

Sisters

The first night we drove to Seaside for dinner and to watch "Charlotte's Web" at their outside amphitheater. It was such a beautiful, cool night. I almost bought a house that night! Tuesday night we headed to the Baytowne Wharf in San Destin for their "Mini Gras." The party was all about the kids and Audrey decorated cupcakes, rode the carousel,

jumped on the trampoline,

danced on the stage, got her face painted (which she refused to wash off for days),

and watched the fireworks.

The Baytowne Wharf is one of our favorite places to go when we are there because they gear everything towards the kids. Plus, they have a fabulous playground.

We also went on a dolphin cruise

and visited the Gulfarium, which is becoming another one of our favorite places to go. Audrey attempted to feed the sting ray with her daddy's help.

I'm pretty sure he pushed her hand in the water. he he

At the "multi species show," the kids were invited to come up front to sit in the "splash zone." My nephew, Garet, was one of the brave ones who chose to do it.

Audrey preferred to stay in the "dry zone" and dance. Apparently, like Vanilla Ice.

The dolphin show is by far the best show there and again we weren't disappointed.

If you look closely at the second picture, you will see a seagull sitting on top of the roof. He was on a mission to steal the fish they gave the dolphins as a reward for doing their tricks. Every time the dolphin would jump up to get the fish out of the trainers hand, the seagull would swoop down and try to get it first. It was quite entertaining to watch. Poor seagull was never successful.

Of course, there was lots of shopping, too. Audrey even enjoyed it this year choosing this purple headband (the purse was my big purchase)

and a pink gun (her Aunt Katie helped her choose this).

Funny story: Emily and I were at the bookstore while Brett and Audrey were at Bass Pro. I was on the phone with Brett when Audrey came up and asked him if she could get the gun. He wasn't really listening to her and answered "Yes" to my question. Audrey thought he was talking to her so she said, "Great. Thanks, Dad." We both started laughing as he informed me that it looked like he was going to end up buying Audrey her first gun.

The rest of our time was spent playing on the beach. Audrey and Garet loved jumping in the waves

and Audrey loved being in the water so much that Brett had to literally drag her out when he was tired and wanted to rest.

Emily spent 99% of the vacation asleep (oooh, I just want to kiss those chubby little cheeks)

but had her moments of cuteness, too.

We loved having Craig, Katie, and the boys there for the last half of the week. Audrey especially loved having her cousins there to play with. We took some pictures the night before we left of the families. Unfortunately, dinner took too long so by the time we made it out to the beach, the sun was pretty much gone.