I am a lot of things, but spur-of-the-moment isn't really one of them. I look a good plan. I like to do my research, figure out the best available options and plan accordingly. But sometimes, you just gotta throw caution to the wind! We were offered the chance to stay at the beach for 4 days at no cost. How often does that happen? Never! So we took it. It just so happened to be right before a planned trip, but we just couldn't say no.
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| The gulf coast is just too good to pass up! Hello Panama City Beach, FL! |
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| The original plan was for me to take the kids by myself. I was SO happy when we talked Jared into coming with us for the first few days, though! |
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| An hour after we arrived, we were down at the beach. |
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| Wave jumping girls--they love the ocean! |
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| Running, playing ball, and boogie boarding--pure happiness! |
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| When their friends made it down to the water, things got even better. |
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| Love this time with our kids. |
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| And there's not anywhere I'd rather be than under an umbrella with a drink in my hand, chillin' with my favorite guy. |
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| Cheers to a great weekend! |
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| Mandy and I took Cami and Nathan to check out the splash pool. So cool! |
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| We hung out until early evening...the beach is just so hard to leave... |
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| and then went to dinner at Runaway Island. |
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The next morning we were up early and ready for more fun in the sun. |
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| Sand toys are always a hit. |
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| This chica worked on getting just the right ratio of water to sand. |
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| Lila was stoked about the boat that her daddy bought across the street. |
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| And Jackson was ready to hit the waves with Dominic. |
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| No better way to spend a Sunday than this right here. Well, maybe minus all the algae in the water! |
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| After they had jumped many, many waves, it was time to dig a giant hole. Why they love this, I have no idea, but it's always a big hit! |
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| Yay beach time! |
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| That afternoon we decided to walk to lunch. What a view, right?! |
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| Thank goodness for big brother who is willing to carry little sister... |
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| and for big sister who will take a turn, too. That mile was far! |
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| Lila is getting older and I'm realizing just how great she is to hang out with. She sat with me right by the water for a while and we had the best time. Love this girl. |
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| We even got dad out there a time or two! |
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| Beach life. |
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| Jackson worked on his skim boarding with Dominic... |
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| Jared chatted with Frank... |
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| and Lila enjoyed the waves. |
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| That night we all went to dinner. On the way we saw the strangest thing--a man on a bike, pulling a husky in a cooler! |
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| The Back Porch! Not as good as the one in Destin, but it was tasty! |
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| The Pier was such a neat place. |
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| Crab hunting followed after dinner. Too bad there are NO crabs in PCB! Bummer. |
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| Jared flew home the next morning, so it was just me and the kiddos. |
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| Everyone enjoyed their time in the sun. |
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| I love that Cami is old enough to hang with her big sister now. |
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| Mandy and I enjoyed hanging out as well. |
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| Our last morning at the beach, we tried out Thomas' Donuts. They were every bit as delicious as we had heard! |
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| We got out to the beach earlier that day. Sand ice cream, anyone? |
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| Coffee at the beach is my new favorite. |
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This view will never get old either!
We are so thankful for generous friends. Making memories is what summer is all about, and we are trying our best to embrace it! |
