Beach Bums

We have been so lucky to experience two wonderful family vacations as part of "Phase 2" of the greatest summer ever!  I've been sorting through over 1,000 pics of these adventures!  A bit overwhelming--but I'm finally ready to share some with you--just don't ask me how my Shutterfly albums are coming...

I think my mom discovered a gem when she happened across Carillon Beach when planning our family beach trip.  It's the white, sugar-sand beaches of the Florida gulf coast without the crowds!  It was a perfect little gated-community with beach houses, cottages, a hotel, shopping area, parks, and pools.  The neighborhood has something to offer for every budget, size of group, or length of stay.  We definitely hope to return!

Bonus!  We were close to MaKenzie who is spending the summer in Panama City Beach.  She welcomed us warmly.

The kids love flying in "the blue planes."  Don't we all?

We had two short flights and then we were there!  The kids did well.  I'm always a bit nervous when traveling with the kids--which just goes to show I care way too much about what other people think.  Even strangers!  We looked ridiculous going through security with our double stroller, two car seats, two young kids, four carry-ons filled with every imaginable activity, and enough juice and fruit snacks to feed the whole plane.  We checked the stroller at the gate and used the car seats on the plane.  Even though it's a trick to get down the aisle, I really like flying with the kids in their car seats.  They can see easier and they don't ask to get up and jump around.  They expect to be buckled in because it's what they are used to.  The flights were so quick, we didn't really have to dig too deep into all the new books, stickers, and marker sets I'd purchased for the trip.  As far as checked bags, Matt and I each packed a large rolling suitcase and we put the kids' small suitcases inside of ours.  Was much easier to only roll two bags around but still be able to separate their stuff from ours quickly when unpacking.  Matt worked his bag-packing magic as we brought beach towels, puddle jumper floaties, clothes and toiletries for everyone, kids' cups/plates/forks, the first aid kit, etc.  We made it!

First stop, the ocean!

This was a much-anticipated return to the beach for our crew.  Cade is our beach bum!  He's been in love with the ocean since our Hawaii trip.  Reese hates the sand.  Who knew she was such a clean freak?!

Perfect beaches!

Casa del Sol, great location close to marketplace area, pools, and beach.

Casa de Keeley

Great way to start each day...off to the pool!

The pools were always the perfect temperature and never too crowded.  Reese preferred the pool to the beach.

Then back to the house for lunch and naps.

Many home rentals include reserved chairs and bikes for the week as well.  Nice!

Followed by the afternoon at the beach!

Can you find Gentry?

My Beach Bums

Master Architect

Cade the Crab

Scott was always a good sport.

Cade was telling us all about how God made the ocean and the waves and all the creatures--right on, Cade!

I apologize for cropping Gentry and Scott out of the pic, but it was more important to keep this view of my thighs off of the internet.  I'm sure they understand.

Take me to the pool!!

After the ocean, we typically ended with a swim in a different pool, the ocean-view pool.  I love being in a pool while seeing the ocean.  Heaven.

It rained a couple times while we were there but it never really interfered with our plans.  Was always a quick, light, shower.

The evenings often consisted of wrangling various animals, thanks to Scott, a.k.a. Mr. Science.

Turtles

Frogs

Lizards

We also did some crab-hunting after dark on the beach.  Cade LOVED it!

The marketplace was right across the street from the house.  

Shiver me timbers!

Impersonating those Pi Phi pics my mom and MaKenzie are always doing.

We cooked most meals at the beach house which worked out much better than wrangling the kids at a restaurant each day.

What a treat to spend some time with Aunt Kizzie!

Entertaining the kids after all the beach and pool fun was sometimes tricky, but we found things to keep us busy in the somewhat-less-than-kid-friendly house.

On about day 3, I purchased a bubble gun at a nearby CVS.  Game-changer.

We were a bit sickly on the trip as Matt slept the first 2-3 days of the trip from being sick and then Cade woke up with what looked like Pink Eye on about day 5.  

Headed to Gulf World for the exhibits and dolphin show

Petting the sting ray

Also a super-exciting part of the trip...Gentry's Engagement Scavenger Hunt!!  Scott had called at the end of May to ask if we'd play a role in his proposal to Gentry.  We were so excited!  I pretty much had to avoid talking to Gentry for about 2 weeks so I didn't spill the beans.  I think she was expecting it...but wasn't expecting all the work he went to which made it so special!

Amazing Race-themed day of fun!

Complete with a sweet ride for the day!

Convertible fun!

Our "leg" of the scavenger hunt was at Pier Park where we shopped and got henna tattoos.  I'm pushing for a real "sisters" tattoo of some sort...that will be much, much, much smaller.

We are all so excited for Gentry and Scott!  P.S. her ring is HUGE!!!

Very picturesque surroundings at Carillon.

My new favorite pic.  Something about blondies on the beach...

The week seemed to go by quickly but we all enjoyed everything that Carillon Beach had to offer!  Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us come along on such a wonderful trip.  Nothing beats memories like this made together!

Feel free to check out Gentry's trip recap as well!  (She's a more colorful writer and actually puts pics in collages.)