Our Summer in Numbers

Mustang Island

At this point, if you know us at all, is it any surprise that we would kickoff the first day of summer vacation with our camper?

via Etsy

This seriously has become our motto.

This time we loaded up and headed off to Mustang Island State Park for a few days with our camping buddies The Collins.  Photo overload ahead.

After our Destin camping trip last year, we have learned a few beach camping tips that we strongly took into consideration.

1. Kids want to just be at the beach.  That is it.  Kids are rarely cranky if they are in the water. This beach trip, we only went out for the basics once (Sam's Club to restock ice) and dinner/souvenior shopping once.  Beyond this you could find us near the water.
2. Breakfast time seems hotter than dinner time (to us). We did not plan to make large breakfast meals every morning.  We tend to eat like kings when we camp so this is definitely a new modification for us.
3. It will rain.  Almost everyday.  Just expect it and plan for it.  No need to be annoyed, frustrated, surprised, etc.  It will rain.  Just expect it.

These couple of tips helped make this beach trip amazing.  One I think we would all be willing to do again!

Kids had a blast boogie boarding, Kinley loved the sand.  One day we even had our own little private piece of paradise on the bay side where they fisherman fished, kids collected shells, Amanda caught crabs, and I sunned.  Oh and a dead shark entertained us all for hours. 

                       

Arrow marks the rash Rylee sustained from her boogie board.

"If I were a bad guy, I would so steal this baby." -Rylee

We had a little bit of dorky fun with my camera.  Enter The Amazing Levitating Babies.  Children don't try this at home.  No babies were harmed in the making of these photos.

Attempted to teach Amanda to levitate too.  She didn't.

Even the rain storm was entertaining for us.  By us I mean Amanda and I.  Not Aaron and Rusty. They lived though :)

                                    

Another fantastic camping trip down.  

Someone teach me how to slow all the fun down?

Our Days In Destin Part 8

Final vacation post!

The fourth of July was celebrated while we were in Destin.  Our day started off a little...well, off.  Visions of a gorgeous, sunny day spent at the beach ending with a gorgeous, warm evening at Baytowne Wharf with fireworks was overshadowed by the storm that trapped us under a overhang at Bass Pro Shops and sunny evening was replaced with umbrellas and wet children.

Knowing we couldn't control the weather and we needed to make the best of it, we released the kids.  Told them to run and play just the same.

They enjoyed themselves just the same.  A little Uncle Sam and balloon animals.  Face painting.  Video games.  All American fun!

And how could we celebrate our great independence without fireworks.  No matter what went wrong this day, this firework show more than made up for it.  We were almost directly under the fireworks, closest I have ever been to such a show.  

It was spectacular to say the least.  

My firework photography...not so spectacular.

My boy's face certainly backs up my feelings of the show though.

He loved loved loved the fireworks.  It was amazing to watch him watch.  Pure bliss.

Our Days In Destin, Part 7

No real stories behind these pictures.  Just I love these people.

Water was so clear that it confused Colton into thinking it was a pool.  Kid was swimming in the ocean, with his eyes open, like he was in the bath tub.

New favorite picture of this girl.

Wouldn't be a vacation if we didn't catch Rylee frowning.

Bored yet?  Almost done I promise.  To be continued....