How About a Beach Getaway?

Ever since arriving back in town on Monday evening from our beach getaway, I've wanted to get online and upload pictures. All sorts of stuff, though--mostly being super tired and getting a chance to go visit with my Grandma who came in town from Texas--kept me otherwise occupied.

But today I've finally had the chance to sit down and put together this post.

We spent five days in Gulf Shores, Alabama--truly one of the most beautiful places on earth (seriously, those of you who aren't from the South, are missing out if you haven't seen the Gulf coast. The sand is so utterly white!). We went with a really great couple friend of ours, another good single friend, and all of our kids (and a few extras who tagged along! LOL). We had nine kids total (four of them teenagers) , but had just a fabulous time.

The weather was perfect (although it was HOT; we hit 100 degrees!), the water was clear, the food was delicious, the friends were great, and we loved where we stayed.

So...how about a little beach getaway recap for ya?

We loved our beach house! It was right across from the beach and we also had the lagoon behind us. And it was so roomy...


We had a great time with friends (and family)...

and even boyfriends (Brett went with us this time)...

Our friends Nathan and Tina...

and Sydney with her best friend, Haley Jo...

Once we made it onto the beach, it was hard to get ourselves away from it. There was just too much fun to have. Like digging in the sand (while my other girls love the ocean and surf, Sydney was not too keen on getting into the water. She'd wade around the edge, but she preferred to dig and play in the sand)...



being with Pop and Mom...


Tumbling on the beach (here Delaney with her best friend, Kayla)...



Hanging out in the Man Tent (well, if you were a man...otherwise, they liked to tell you to go away. LOL)...

Burying Brett in the sand...

More playing in the sand...

Playing in the surf...

And flying a kite (you can see Sydney's Tinkerbell kite up in the air if you look real closely)...


One of the things I was determined to do this time at the beach was get some pictures of the entire family together on the beach...so, before we left, I got white attire for all of us and told them they Would be posing for pictures. And, other than me and Delaney being all toasty burned and itching for the pictures, I think they turned out great...







Then, of course, there's lots of other fun to be had while you're at the beach. We always have a pretty intense game of Putt Putt Golf going on...



(we divided up in teams but, alas, Nathan and Gary and Brett rounded out the Top Three. I crashed and burned and did not do well.)

Then we went to The Track for go-karting and the arcade and kiddie rides. Sydney loved the swings...

And she drove her own mini go-kart (she proudly announced afterwards that she came in second place.Yes, I have raised another competitive child)...

And then she and Gary rode together, along with all the other kids, on the big go-kart track...

They raced the whole time against Nathan and Haley Jo. I think that the winner is still up for debate...

and here you can (if you look really closely; these pics are so fuzzy!) see Delaney rounding the curve in back...

After go-karting, Kayla and Austin decided to try the big bungee jumping slingshot thingie (they hoist you way you up in the air and then "shoot" you over everyone). I personally thought they were insane, but they said it was great. LOL...


The fun always continues on the way home, especially if you're leaving Gulf Shores and stop to eat at Lambert's (home of the most massively huge plates covered with Southern-style food, and their famous "throwed rolls"). Here's Tina getting ready to catch a roll...

and Haley Jo and Sydney trying to get their mouths around them...

and then we always stop for ice cream at Peach Park. I had the MOST delicious homemade blueberry ice cream (and don't you just love my red face and body? Ugh!)...

and Sydney, of course, had to look cute in more posed pictures...

We had an absolutely fabulous time and I would go back today if I possibly could. But...I got other stuff to get ready for and enjoy (softball! writing! fun with the kids! more clothes washing!) and, besides, we get to go back again in July to Panama City Beach. We're already looking forward to that!

Thanks for taking that virtual beach getaway with all of us. I hope you enjoyed the trip!