Annual Summer {Destin}ation - Arrival & Day 1

We've been fortunate to take a summer beach vacation since Alex and Emily were little- with such fond, funny and not-so-funny-at-the-time memories!  {example- our first family plane ride with Alex-4 crawling and crying under the seat and Emily-2 crying on my lap and kicking the seat in front of us!  Good memories! Ha!}

But for the last three years we've traveled {by car} to Destin, FL making new memories with new members of the family and new memorable meltdowns! 

The day we left this year started by dropping off the family pets, grabbing breakfast on the go and finishing last-minute packing before Dan was home from work- so we could load up the car and head out!

We started off smooth- grabbed a {nutritious} McDonald's meal, Curious George on the {big} screen, and quiet babies!  

We stopped a few hours in to eat dinner at Cracker Barrel, just as the rain started pouring...and it lasted for the rest of our drive!  

We drove through torrential rain, thunder, lightening and hail to finally get to the other side of the storm!

After a good night's rest, early breakfast and no rain, we were eager to reach our destination of sunshine and sand!

 

After a few more stops for lunch, snacks and bathroom breaks...

 

...we finally arrived at our destination!

...the kids were excited to check out the condo and pick out where they would sleep...the girls ended up with a bedroom and Alex chose the sofa bed!

...and I was anxious to check out the view...

 

We decided to walk to dinner at the Back Porch...

 

...and then head to the beach before sunset!

 

The next morning, we were excited to head back to the beach!  It was the perfect weather for a beach day!  The water was clear and calm and the skies were blue and sunny!

 

It was a gorgeous day, and the kids played in the sand and rode the waves all morning!

 

...Abby's first morning at the beach...she knows how to soak up the sun and relax!

 

Emily met a new friend to ride the waves with too!  They even had matching swimsuits, but they would only get to see each other for the weekend before she and her family headed home!

 

Can't go to the beach without getting buried in the sand!

...being covered in sand makes me anxious and uncomfortable...even to look at these makes me itch and panic!  ha!  But Alex makes a great Muscle Man!

 

After a fun morning in the sand and surf...we enjoyed relaxing and swimming in the pool before lunch...and naps for the little people...and mom!

 

We ate dinner at Bubba Gump's and Alex and I took a small beach walk in the evening, just the two of us...one last time with my ten-year-old...before his 11th birthday the next day!

 

 

 It was a great first day of vacation...with more to come!