This was our fourth year spending our Spring Break in Destin, Florida. Our cousins Laura & Casey were joining us this year, along with the Morse family. The Murrays left Milwaukee Thursday night and spent the night with us so we could all caravan down together on Friday morning. This drive without stops is 11 hours but usually takes us anywhere from 13-15 hours with traffic. For some reason unbeknownst to me, we made excellent time both down and and back this year. And caravaning made potty and food breaks much more tolerable with friends!
We finally stopped at the infamous rest stop in Alabama with the rocket ship and the kids loved it.
We split up the drive down into two days. But by the second day and the final hour Buggy started going stir crazy.
We've been counting down the days to vacation since about 70-ish days out. Izzy keeps a very full calendar with birthdays, trips and reminders and she was excited to be celebrating her half birthday while we were in Florida.
The first few days' weather was mild and a little rainy. But that never stopped us from hitting the beach. The kids even swam in our very warm, private pool during the rain!
Jaime and her boys were in Destin as well and they joined us for dinner
And rainy day activities include lots of crafts, games and creative kid management...but we made it through unscathed. Treasure hunting was a big hit as well.
Our house that we stay in each year is just a boardwalk away from the beach. The walk to and from the ocean is always a favorite memory of mine, as the kids are excited both ways (the ocean! or the pool!).
Bob & Laura joined us mid-week which was awesome; extra set of hands to help with all the kiddos and lots more love to go around. Special having them there with us.
Kite flying was a hit after all the rain stopped. The wind was perfection and this activity is always a favorite of mine. Lots of laughing and lots of kite management (my string is wrapped around hers! I dropped my kite and it's flying away!).
And when you get bored flying your kite...you bury yourself!
Two days of chilly weather made us appreciate the four days that were spectacularly perfect.
By the end of the week all 6 of the kiddos were referring to these two as Bobo & Grandma. Loved that.
Best friends since 1998
The bikini crew
Best buddies since 2007
Morse family sand castle
This particular day we spent 7 hours at the beach. It was by far my favorite day...and what better way to celebrate than with a beach selfie?!
These two...we had some deep heart-to-hearts and some belly-laughing conversations. Love them.
Boys will be boys
Afternoons at the pool
Traditional poolside selfie
Delaney June
Proud swimmer Izzy Lou
Morning beach walks searching for shells
These men dug and dug and dug...all for the kids. The big kids :)
Mermaid girls
Buggy took beach naps every day we were out there. Look closely, she's under those towels...
We took a morning dolphin tour that was a hit with everyone except Mikey. Poor guy.
Before he had to go to the bottom deck...
These seagulls followed us for a while and would eat out of your hands. Was eerily strange yet beautiful at the same time.
Scanning the bay for dolphins before heading out to sea
This little guy followed us around for quite some time, offering plenty of entertainment
Pelican on a post
Bocce ball on the beach
I've always wanted to try this and it took quite a few shots to capture...but I LOVE this pic of the three silly girls!
And we always devote one evening to family pictures on the beach at sunset. Perfect lighting. And lots of candy bribery to get the kids to smile.
After pictures Bob & Laura offered to stay home with all the kids while the adults went out for sushi. This was my favorite night, as we were able to kick back and let loose. Whipped cream vodka was my best friend and the laughs and jokes started early and lasted through the night. After dinner we took our adult party to our backyard teeki hut (it's incredible and perhaps one of the best perks of our house) to late night games. Love, love, love that we were able to have a night to ourselves (thanks Bob & Laura!).
The last day is always spent 100% outside, devouring every last minute of sun. Bob made virgin daiquiris for the Little which are always a huge hit. The adult ones are pretty delicious, too.
After baths the kids put together a 'message in a bottle' complete with tokens/treasures from the week and a note from our families. Jason sealed it with wax and we took off for the beach to send it on its way. Let's just say it kept coming back to shore...so eventually Mike swam way out and tossed it as far as he could. I wasn't too thrilled with that idea, seeing as we spotted a stingray frighteningly close to shore earlier in the day. Yolo.
Bob made his famous homemade pizza crust on our final night and we said goodbye to them (they were staying a few days longer than the rest of us). Loved that we were able to share our vacation with them...they even took Izzy & Laney one night to their condo for a sleepover!
One final flight of the kites
This was the third year we spent our vacation with the Morse family and won't be one I will soon forget. Was a special time we all got to spend together and each year we carry on traditions while creating new memories. They are our dear friends and our family and this year in Florida will forever be etched in my heart.
