Beach Vacation

We packed up the family and headed down to Florida's Gulf Coast for an end of summer vacation starting August 25 and going through Labor Day.  We drove down to Huntsville, AL area on Sun and the rest of the way on Monday.  We had to stop by the airport on Monday also to pick up Papa, who flew his airplane down, and then we went to McGuire's for his birthday dinner.

Ava helped drive first shift!

Taking a snack break.  I think this is at the rest area where I saw a working payphone (and someone using it!). 

The view as we got into Destin/FWB area.

A Waffle House on every corner (or so it seemed).

Waiting for Papa to land.

Papa made it! 

Fiona trying out the controls. 

Pretty window inside McGuire's.  The place was huge with $1 bills on the ceiling (vertical) and walls.  We were in the wine cellar.  

Tuesday morning Carol, Jennifer, Ava and I went to the commissary, while Sean, Bob, Fiona and Caitlin went to the beach.  We got back around lunchtime so after lunch and naps, Ava, Fiona and I joined Jennifer and Caitlin at the beach.  Sean joined us a little later also.

Ready for the water!

Looking east towards the Okaloosa Pier.

Looking west.

Ava loved the beach and being in the water.  She didn't really try to eat the sand, but absolutely LOVED splashing the water and the waves. 

Caitlin went exploring.  She ended up getting her dress completely soaked.  :) 

 Fiona and Sean playing in the waves.  Sean landed wrong during one of his jumps and injured his foot.

Wednesday morning, Ava and I got to take Sean to the urgent care, while everyone else stayed at the condo and tried out the pool.  We got there about an hour before they opened so we found some beach to hang out at while we waited.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous.  Sean ended up with a bad sprain so he got a pair of souvenir crutches and a splint to take home!

Somewhere east of Destin, near Sandestin.

After we got back they were just finishing up in the pool and it was time for lunch and naps.  Carol's friends from bowling (who are now in FL) came over to visit for awhile and then went out for a late lunch.  After she got back Sean and I left for our anniversary date.  We went to the Village at Baytowne Wharf and had a lovely date.

Thursday morning I finally got to go to the beach to go swimming in the morning.  Fiona wanted to go to the pool again so Carol went with her and I joined them later after Ava woke up from her morning nap.  Jennifer and Caitlin went in too, and Sean and Bob hung out on the sidelines.  Ava loved splashing in the pool and sitting in the innertube.  Fiona did great in the innertube and was getting the hang of kicking her feet to move herself around.

Thursday afternoon we just lounged, and then after dinner we went to the Harbor Walk to walk around before the fireworks (for Labor Day weekend).  It was Fiona's first time seeing fireworks and the results were mixed.  She hated the noise (and we were *right* by where they were shot off plus forget earplugs), but really liked the lights and colors.  Grama held her which made it better.  It was a little loud for Ava too (although she didn't seem to mind) so I walked a little further away with her.

Happy to be on Papa's lap.

Insert your own caption here.  :)

Cruising the Harbor Walk.

 Stopped for a smoothie.

We were this close!

Friday morning Ava got me up early so we had a nice beach walk before breakfast.  It was a lazy morning and then after lunch we headed to the Gulfarium.  We got there for the last half of the dolphin show, saw a bunch of sea animals, the sea lion show, more sea animals and caught the entire dolphin show.  All the girls fell asleep on the drive to Brad and Elaine's, a family friend's, house for dinner.  They have a pool so after the girls woke up we went in the pool and played, then had some dinner and just hung out.

The beach at sunrise.

Showing Uncle Chris the beach on Friday morning.

Saturday, Sean, Fiona, Ava and I hit up the Board Walk area to check out some of the shops, Fiona played on their playground, we got some ice cream and then headed back to the condo.  A friend, Julia, and her husband, Dave, came over with their little girl, Taylor, that Carol and Fiona knew from bowling here.  Caitlin, Fiona and Taylor played inside awhile, then Caitlin took a nap while Fiona and Taylor first went in the (freezing) pool with me and Taylor's dad, and then played on the beach.  Taylor gave Fiona an invitation inviting her to a beach party that she made.  Fiona was more interested in going to the pool.  It was interesting to hear to 3 year olds negotiating.

Taylor: "I like the beach. Let's go"
Fiona: "OK, let's go to the pool."
Taylor: "First the beach."
Fiona: "How about the pool?"
Taylor: "But the invitation said the beach."

We (meaning the parents) ended up deciding on first pool and then beach, and everyone seemed OK with that.

Trying out the sunglasses. 

Sunday everyone else packed up in the morning and took off for home in the afternoon.  We stayed one more night so we could visit with my good friends from college, Genae and Tim, and their family, in the afternoon and evening.  Fiona was a little shy at first and actually asked to take a nap, but about an hour before we left she started to open up.  It rained pretty hard while we were there and the power actually went out, luckily just as we were finishing a wonderful dinner, so everyone played outside until it was time to leave.

Monday we left just after 7 AM and got home around 10 PM, so 14 hours of travel, plus 1 hour with the time change.  Fiona was funny while we were driving through Florida.  We were on a lot of county roads and she kept asking "What's this road?" so we'd tell her and then she'd say "Oh, I like that road."  Finally Sean asked her if there was a road she didn't like to which she responded "Bad Kitten Whiskers Road.  That road is scary." so we told her we wouldn't drive on that road, and we didn't.  We also had the pleasure of stopping in the not so nice part of Cincinnati for an emergency potty break at 9 o'clock at night.

Here's a few more of my favorites.

View from the condo's balcony.

Unique golfball house by our condo.