Florida Family Vacation!

For the 4th year in a row, we have taken a road trip down to Fort Walton Beach, FL, although this was the first year with 2 kids 2 and under!

 Jon and I laugh saying it was more a 2 week "trip" and less a 2 week "vacation" but either way, it was nice having Jon off of work for 2 full weeks, and be able to spend some time as a family at the beach.  The beach has always been my happy place, and I think Isabella can officially say that as well!  

She truly had a blast taking walks in the sand (which she initally called dirt!), finding shells and pieces of sand dollars, chasing birds, "fwimmin" in the "big water" (gulf) or the pool, and yelling "SAND BUGGY" every time one drove by!  She was in heaven because there were only 1 or 2 days where she didn't get to go swimming, and those days were filled with other fun adventures, so there was never a dull moment for this 2 year old!

Chasing birds: her new favorite pastime

 

Aubrey went out to the beach a total of 3 times in 2 weeks (I mean, really, what is a 9 month old going to do when she won't sit still and wants to shovel sand in her mouth if she's not in the water?). Initially she absolutely hated the waves even though they were small, and she was terrified sitting on the sand as the water came up.  But, once we were out where it was calm (AKA no splashing waves), she was chill and loved it.  

We all spent quite a bit of time at the pool which we knew would be a winner with both girls (and SO much easier than taking them to the beach!). Bella really got comfortable in the pool with her floaties, and loved learning to doggie paddle, twirl, float on her back, blow bubbles and put her face under water.  I was impressed with how much she learned in a short period of time. 

Daddy & Mama got a couple date nights since we went with Mimi and Pops and let me tell ya, that was a highlight!  

AMAZING French seafood place right on the harbor....AMAZING food!!

SeaBlaster boar ride where we saw the most insane amount of dolphins and drank cold beer....it was awesome!

 
Otherwise, we spent time relaxing inside where it wasn't 95 or 100 degrees, going for a family run (I intended to run 6 times in 2 weeks; one 4 mile run was a little short of that goal...oh well!), eating out, staying in jammies extra long, and just enjoying time as a family that we don't normally get!

Mini golfing on an exceptionally hot and sunny day! It was fun though!

 

"Hi elephante" - yes, we rock Spanglish around here : )

Sweaty post-4 mile run picture

snuggles after nap time with the Aubster

Jumping in puddles after the storm

So this never happens...Aubrey sleeping on one of us!

Such a fun day trip to Rosemary Beach

Apparently it was an exhausting trip for Aubrey!

Daddy and Bella walk down the beach date

Taking lots of silly selfies!

Enjoying one of many picnics on the balcony

It was great to get away as a family.  We made memories, laughed quite a bit, and since Mimi and Pops were there to help out a ton, got some good 1 on 1 adult time, as well as some fun 1 on 1 girlie time.  Until next year Fort Walton Beach!