At the first of the year we decided it had been way too long since our last beach trip. We convinced the Ogdens and my parents (really no convincing was involved) to go with us. We found a big enough house to comfortably fit our crew and booked the trip. Little did we know that with all the Covid mess we would all be beyond ready for a getaway. The trip couldn't have come at a better time.
The water was breathtakingly beautiful. The sand was powder soft. The weather was perfection. Everyone got along and we all had a blast. It was dreamy! I took tons of pictures to document the fun. This was our first trip to the beach since we've had Sutton so I'm not even going to apologize for the absurd amount of photos in this post. Haha!
We arrived in Destin late in the afternoon. We all got settled at the house and went to Baytowne Wharf for dinner. It was fun to walk around the shops and listen to the live music. I think this is the only group photo we managed to take with everyone in it.
The next day we loaded the beach toys and coolers and headed to the beach for the day. We beached hard! We did all the things: skim board, tanned, read a book, played volleyball, looked for seashells, took a nap, played spike ball, snorkeled, snacked, played smash ball, chatted, built sand castles, etc. We just rotated from activity to activity at our leisure and enjoyed every minute of it.
Of course I told the boys we would begin each day with a family photo and then I would try to snap mostly candid shots after that. I love this family photo from our first morning at the beach!
Before we left Texas the boys and I went to a sporting goods store and loaded up on beach toys. I think the biggest hit were the giant turtle inflatables.
My parents got Chad an early Father's Day gift: smash ball. It's just two wooden paddles with a rubber ball but it makes for the perfect beach toy that even Sutton can kinda, sorta participate in.
We saw a shark in the water! It was about four feet long and we couldn't believe what shallow water it was in. The boys got way too close for comfort to it. The girls were happy observing from the beach.
Spike ball got pretty intense. All of us old folks were diving and running trying to keep up with the teenage boys.
This is probably my favorite beach photo. I love that behind my three boys you can see Zach skim boarding and then behind that is Mom and Robert playing smash ball.
Keller and Sutton were determined to perfect skim boarding. That kept them busy for hours each day at the beach. They did eventually grasp the concept and it was fun to watch them.
Once it gets dark lots of people go crab hunting. Chad bought some nets and we decided to give it a try. Those suckers move fast! To be honest I was a little terrified knowing the crabs were on the beach where we played all day but the kids seemed to have fun.
At night we would play a few games while others watched a movie.
Our second day we rented a pontoon boat and went to Crab Island. It is this fairly big area where the water is only like three feet deep. Everyone anchors their boats and just hangs out. There are food vendors with floating building and people who drive around in little boats selling drinks and treats. It's kinda crazy but super fun.
We got a paddleboard with our boat rental and it was a hit. I was not the most graceful paddle boarded but I figured it out after falling a few times.
The little boys loved catching jellyfish in the boat. They caught dozens and were equally ecstatic each and every time.
This picture probably gives you the best idea of how big Crab Island is and how pretty the water is.
The boys (and men) using the snorkeling masks to catch some hermit crabs.
We put together a timed obstacle course that included smash ball, paddle boarding, swimming on the giant turtle, and running back to the boat. We all competed to see who could finish the quickest. I think Robert was the winner.
A guy from a nearby boat asked if he could give it a try after watching us make a fool out of ourselves and yelling/cheering each other on. AJ gave it his best shot but was no match for Robert.
I think watching the boys on the paddleboard was stinking adorable. Sutton clinched his little bum cheeks so tight to keep from falling off. I love watching the boys try new things.
Speaking of trying new things, Chad, Vance, Keller, and me went parasailing! It was kind of an impromptu decision. Keller had expressed some interest and since he isn't usually super adventurous we wanted to capitalize on his bravery. I kept waiting for him to change his mind on the boat ride but he never skipped a beat. We all had fun and it was so cool to experience it together!
I wasn't ever nervous except for when Chad and the boys were parasailing and our boat drive took them under two other parasailers. That just doesn't seem like the best idea but the assured me they had never had any problems...
First Chad went up with the boys and then they swapped me out for him. The boys thought it was pretty awesome that they got to go twice.
We ate DELICIOUS seafood on our trip. The grouper was to die for. We live for fresh seafood and this did not disappoint.
Our restaurant had such a pretty view we snapped a quick picture while we waited for our food.
Everyone told us we had to go to this donut place. To be honest they weren't anything to rave about except I did love the chocolate peanut butter donut. Jennie didn't even wait until we left the restaurant to break in to her box. I love that girl and her treats!
Logan and Mason each bought a pair of Chubbies (a brand of swim trunks) on our trip. We had to snap a few picture of them with Chad and Zach who were also wearing their Chubbies. I think they all look like studs!
The rest of the day was filled of all the same fun beach activities. The beach seriously does not get old to me!
Vance caught a few slugs (I think?) and was mesmerized by them. He sat there for at least two hours catching them, moving them around, touching them, etc. I think it's gross but he liked it!
Sunset shots are my favorite. I had fun taking a few pictures of Sutton, Keller, and Zachary skimboarding as the sun set.
My parents bought all of the kiddos a Destin shirt. Keller may have worn his for three days straight (gross!) once we got home. I think he may like it...
It was a fabulous trip and we are already planning our next beach trip. If you ever want to go to the beach and want some company, we are your people!
