Our Summer Vacation

6.17.2008

Doug and I joked about needing a vacation to recuperate from our vacation as we pulled into the driveway last Saturday afternoon. As you know, there's never a vacation from cooking and laundry and all the other bustling and juggling moms and dads do when traveling with kids.

That said, we had a wonderful week away at Seacrest Beach, Florida last week. We left on Monday, June 9 (in a rented minivan and the wiggle room was quite nice) and came home last Saturday, the 14.

I especially enjoyed not having to be on a schedule, not having to drive in traffic each day, and not having to wear make-up and do my hair!

This was taken driving up the street to our house.


This was our home for the week.

Seacrest is part of the string of resorts along Hwy. 30A in Florida's panhandle. It's just west of Panama City Beach, and about 30 miles east of Destin.

I've been vacationing at this area for about 10 years, give or take a year here or there where I couldn't make it due to work obligations, etc. Doug and I have been 4 of the 6 summers we've been married.

One evening while I was sitting on the beach watching Doug and the kids dig and play in the sand, I was reflecting about how different my beach trips are now, compared to my trips to the beach with my girlfriends (** Hi, Girls!!!**).

In those days, we'd pack a simple cooler, a towel, a chair, and a book and off we'd go to the beach for the entire day. Back home, shower, and out to dinner.

These days, we go to the pool during the day for a few hours and save the beach for the evening when it's cooler. We prefer to eat in. We take lots of naps. As I saw my family on that beach I got a little sentimental (OK, a lot sentimental). Who knew back then I'd be watching my own children play in the same sand and run in the same waves? **sniff**




A very special treat for our family was going to visit my dear blogging friend Kat, her husband George, and doggie hostess Miss Daisy. They were so very gracious to invite us into their home for drinks before we headed out to dinner.

Within the first five minutes Adam tripped on the brick floor, cut his lip, had ice applied by Kat and covered her glass patio door with tiny little fingerprints. Good thing two-year olds get a break on the whole first impression thing.

We were then treated to golf cart rides for a tour of the neighborhood and then to dinner. George drove Doug and Bayley in Kat and George's more "souped up" cart, which I think could go about 23 mph vs. 12mph for the borrowed one Kat drove with me, Kendra and Adam. Adam was wedged between Kat and me and I told him he had to keep his hands folded on his lap because the kid is so enthralled with "dry-bing" I thought for sure he'd be trying to take the wheel.

We had a wonderful time with them and I am truly blessed to have met such wonderful blogging friends. Thank you Kat, George and Miss Daisy!


Kat and me

Here's George with two new buddies Adam and Bayley.

We were so blessed to be able to get away for a little while.

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, I don't take time enjoy the simple things enough. We watched birds and sunsets, held hands, ate chocolate chip cookies, sipped Corona, floated in the pool... and Doug and I both finished a whole book!

Life is good.

23 comments:

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality :

Hey, Jill, I thought about ya'll last week, knew you were down there soaking up the sun & sand. It is SO gorgeous so I know you had a wonderful time. AND, Kat and George are just the nicest folks you could ever meet, including sweet Miss Daisy too. We had a great time with them also & I know you did too.

Glad it was fun and relaxing for your entire family.

xo,Rhoda

Susan :

Sounds like a grand time.
Susan

Just Mom :

Ah ... Corona.

Yup, it's the simple things in life ...

;-D

Sounds as if your vacation was just what the doctor ordered. Only 1 1/2 months until we take ours.

justabeachkat :

We loved getting to spend time with your sweet family. All three of the kids are not only beautiful, but so well behaved and so very sweet. It was alot of fun getting to meet Doug too. I hope you'll come again soon.

Hugs!
Kat

Tammy :

Oh, I'm so glad you all had such a great vacation, Jill!
I know what you mean...we truly needed a vacation from our road trip vacation to California!

I remember going to the beach with my girlfriends before I was married...so relaxing! LOL But still, there is nothing to be compared with seeing it through our children's eyes now.

How cool that you and Kat got to meet up! I so wish I could meet both of you, so I'm jealous...but very happy for you both of you, too! :)

kdwhorses :

Sounds like a great time! Glad you got to meet a blogging buddy, how cool!
All I would have needed to complete my dream vacation would be my horse! I want to run down the beach bareback! One can dream!

Tricia :

So fun you had the chance to see Kat!! I have followed her blog thru your blog and she seems like such a fun lady....you both do actually!! Your pics are great!! And I agree...you do need a vacation when you get home from a vacation!!
Back to reality!!
: )

Sandra :

It looks like you had a wonderful time :) There's nothing like a family getaway and good friends to share it with.

How fun that you got to see Kat :)

Hugs,
Sandra

Tonja :

I'm jealous! Oh, it sounds and looks so wonderful! There is no place I would rather be than at the beach!

Glad you got to spend some time with Kat, too! Know you girls hade fun!

The kids look so cute...I love seeing kids at the beach!

annie :

Sounds like a great week! How neat that you got to meet Kat... and that she got to meet you! :)

It's sad that no one vacations in Oklahoma :(

Kari :

Glad you had such a nice vacation. We love that area, too (we usually stay in Seagrove Beach or Destin).

Jamie @ Purposeful Pursuit :

Sounds like you had a wonderful time enjoying your family and the simple things of life. I enjoyed seeing your pictures.

Jillian :

Wow! What a great trip. Makes me miss the time I lived in Florida with my family. And how nice of Kat, too!

Melissa @ Breath of Life :

Sounds like a wonderful vacation. If you ever come to Virginia, you'll have to look me up.

Mad About Plaid Girl :

That place looks gorgeous! I'm glad you had fun. I'm also moving to Atlanta area and am wondering if you have any advice on the Canton or Cumming area?

Steph :

Love that house!
Sounds like y'all had a great time!
I have yet to meet any blogging friends in person yet, but I've spoken with a few on the phone!

Pink in a sea of blue :

Glad you had a nice trip! I love that area. We used to go to Destin when we lived in ATL. Now we're back to east coast beaches. I'm going on a 2nd annual girls' weekend beach trip with 10 mom friends in August. We have 23 kids between us. We all love that we can read, talk, laugh without having to apply sunscreen to kids, fix PB&J's and can stay out late! Family trips are great, but moms' trips are pretty cool, too!

Jody :

What a beautiful place to call "home". Sounds like a great vacation.

Nadine :

Sounds like you had a nice time. What a beautiful place to stay.

Sheila :

Hi Jill, wow don't ya just love spending vacation with your family on the beach! It is the highlight of our year in our home.
I love the pics. and I know your family loved meeting Kat, George and Miss Daisy!! She is just amazing. I look forward to meeting her soon.
I love reading your blog, your family is great.
Have a blessed day.
Smile,
Sheila

Dianne :

I saw that Kat posted about this too when you were there and I was glad you were getting to visit. Sounds like you had a great time.

The Mrs. :

Looks like you had a blast. I'd be sentimental too!!! SNIFF!!!!! Landon was giving us drama on our trip as well. I'll post more about it!

Lauren@Baseballs&Bows :

I know I am a little late commenting on this post, but what a wonderful vacation! How neat that you got to meet a blogging friend as well!

Jillian Inc. All rights reserved © Blog Milk Powered by Blogger