The Little Locale

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses {Part 4}

This post should finish up our Navarre Beach vacation!

As much as we loved the serenity of Navarre and as beautiful as it was, there wasn't really a whole lot to do there other than beach. So, we drove to Destin a couple days to change up the activity for the kids. It was only about a 30 minute drive, and such a pretty drive at that, so it wasn't bad at all.

They LOVED playing at the Track! Brody was so happy to finally be tall enough to drive a go-kart!

And Beckett enjoyed the little Kiddie Carnival area :)

I think the bumper boats were Brody's favorite!

Before dinner in Destin, we spent a little time on the beach there, and I have to say...You just can't beat the beaches of Destin!

The water was more clear, shallow, and calm, and the kids were in heaven. So was I.

Levi's baby toes in God's big ocean...

Dinner at Pomano Joes! Love this place!

Brent and I even got to go on a date one night! I adore having my kids with me everywhere I go, but I have also come to appreciate a night out alone. It was really nice to eat dinner without cutting up tiny bites of chicken, wiping mouths, cleaning up spills, and reminding kids to sit down the entire time :)

On the last night of our vacation, we were getting tired of burgers and seafood, so we loaded up and headed to our favorite place - Cracker Barrel!!! Yes, I realize that makes me sound really old and boring, but I'll own it. I loooove Cracker Barrel!! And so do our boys...we've trained them well.

And we ended our vacation with what else?? A final game of miniature golf!!

I was not ready to leave this fabulous place when our week came to an end. If only we could go more than once a year! Unfortunately, Brent didn't agree to leaving me and the kids there, and him coming to visit on weekends, so he drug me away kicking and screaming. Just kidding. Sort of.

I will say, it does feel good to be back home and be be back to our normal routine. Until next time, Gulf Coast!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses {Part 3}

We finally got to enjoy the pool and hot tub, too!

They actually wanted to be in the pool just as much as at the beach!

Brody even started swimming without floaties or a life jacket while we were there! He has been really close for a while now, but one day at the pool he just told me he wanted to try again, and Poppy was in the pool with him, so I gave him the go ahead to try. He took that life jacket off, and without missing a beat, he swam nearly the whole width of the pool!! I was SOOO proud of him! That boy is so determined, he can do anything he sets his mind to.

We had dinner on Monday evening at Shaggy's in Pensacola Beach. Delicious food!

And we had a great view while we ate!!!

After dinner, we played a little miniature golf!

And then took an evening walk on the beach. Luke and Beckett have so much fun together :)

The rest of our week was filled with more pool time...

More beach time...

By Wednesday, the weather was BEAUTIFUL! There was a light cool breeze, the ocean was calm, lots of sunshine, and highs in the 80s! You couldn't hardly drag us off the beach!!

Brooke spent most of her time searching for seashells...and she certainly found some pretty ones!

And they all enjoyed a little boogie boarding :)

We had several little photo shoots out on the beach. I have accepted the fact that it's nearly impossible to get a family of 5 with 3 small children to all smile at the camera. But I love these pictures anyway. This is my precious little family. Sometimes I look at pictures of them and get tears in my eyes because I just can't believe how blessed I am to have them in my life.

I love them all so very much. So much that sometimes it hurts. I want so badly for them to always be happy. And have great memories. I know that I will cherish these pictures always.

This time I have with them as small children is fleeting, and I know one day all too soon I will look back on these pictures and wish for this time back.