Here Comes The Sun

We found a gorgeous spot at a nearby beach to take photos of the kids. Unfortunately, the sun was bright and hot and they soon got cranky. :( We hope to return and take a few photos later in the day... after everyone has napped!

Oh, You Gotta Have Friends

Our friends Jim and Karen and their girls are vacationing at their beach condo this week, very close to where we are staying, so we got together! It was such fun to see friends. We took the kids to dinner at Pier Park (Mia tried her first Alaskan King Crab and loved it!) and then we came back to the house to hang out.

Aren't they a cute couple?

The girls engrossed in their movie.

Baytowne Wharf Village

We spent the day in Sandestin, browsing the beautiful village and shops around the quaint lagoon at Baytown Wharf. My friend Jill is good friends with Emeril (yes, the chef) and his wife and spends time at their home there in the summer, and she recommended that we visit. It reminded me a bit of a New England village. We ate lunch and the kids got to play at the playground while Mom and I shopped - until the sun got to be too much for us. A very nice place to visit!

One of the cute little shops.

The kids with Grandma.

Smiling despite the intense heat.

Noah cautiously watches the water sprays at the playground, careful not to get wet even though the temps are in the 90s.

But he has fun on the swing!

Preparing for the 4th of July celebration.

Me and My Girl.

Grayton Beach

Milo and I went out for a date one evening. We wandered around lovely, quiet Grayton Beach and then had dinner. Nice to have some time alone without little ones vying for our attention!

Sleepy People

Swimming and hanging out at the beach sure does make a person feel sleepy. These guys are tuckered out with all of that fun in the sun!!

Mia

Noah

Caden

...and Grandma.

Pool Time

Grandma and Mia enjoy swimming together.

We spent the morning at the big pool ... the kids loved it! Yes, even Noah enjoyed the pool as long as he didn't have to get more than his feet wet.

Have to protect that little blonde head from sunburn! Caden wasn't overly thrilled about the hat, but it was his first extended period in the sun, so we wanted to be careful.

Noah enjoys people-watching and wetting his feet.

Noah chills out and enjoys some raisins in the safety of the lounge chair.

Happy Boy at the pool.

Caden gives Grandma Edmee a kiss. What a brown-noser.

Tonight, we had a Mommy-Daddy-Daughter date with Mia. It was supposed to be a date for Milo and I to get out alone, but Mia pleaded with us and asked if she could come along on our date. Both of us had the same thought - we know people who have recently lost children and babies to sudden death, and we know that this time with our kids is so precious and it goes by so quickly. So we decided to go out with Mia and have a fun date with her. She LOVED it. We took her to Carrabba's for dinner and then we went to Pier Park for some ice cream and shopping. As we sat at dinner, we asked Mia if she was enjoying her vacation and what part of the vacation was her favorite so far. She replied, "Going out on a date with Mommy and Daddy." Awww!

Mommy-Daddy-Daughter Date Night.

Mia ordered a caesar salad with grilled chicken (her favorite!) for dinner.

Mia posing at Pier Park. Milo took one look at the photo and said, "We are in such trouble!" :)

Beach Babies!

We spent the morning at the beach playing... and then we drove to Pompano Joe's to enjoy a seafood lunch with Mom and the kids. It's a hot but beautiful day here on the coast.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Grandma and Mia enjoy the surf.

Our bathing beauty.

Stopping for lunch at Pompano Joe's. Good for people-watching!

A parasailor glides by.

Being silly after lunch.

Can we leave now?

Full tummies and ready to hit the road.

Bye for now!!