Destin '12

Father's Day weekend we loaded up, with the luggage carrier, aka hamburger helper, on top of our car.  Aaron and Elise were traveling right behind us, sometimes taking a cousin in their car.  That's when we all discovered that Levi can get car sick, as well as by the end of the trip fussy Daniel had a double ear infection.  Makes for fun stories, as well as Derek putting the luggage carrier on AFTER the car dealership closed and realized we were missing some parts.  So, red duct tape and all, he rigged the carrier so that once you reached a certain speed the wind would make this wonderful whistling sound.  It was a fine moment in our marriage as we traveled through wrecks, traffic (Mobile, find a better way to navigate through your city, please), and added a good two extra hours to the trip.  But hey, the "snow", as Levi called it, was waiting for us once we got there.

Jessica was deemed the best aunt of the bunch as we met up with the Blevins and Lundys for our annual Destin trip....that only took us all 5 years to meet back up at this wonderful beach again.

 We got to play with Drew, Grady, & Hudson each day at the beach.  Poor Daniel was recovering from his ears and slept most mornings, only to get to the beach once all the big kids were heading in for naps.

 Justin quickly realized that having an overnight growth spurt and needing bigger bathing suits, added with the large grain of sand, produced a nasty swimsuit rash inside.  It was so bad that he didn't want to get in the water some days.  We figured out that if he wore his underwear briefs underneath that it helped.  Galveston sand, well, how should I put it, doesn't have that large grain in it's brownish texture.  So it was a new venture for us.

Justin and Drew jumping in the water

 Jessica playing a game with the boys.  The undertow was really bad as there was a tropical storm out in the gulf, that thankfully didn't have repercussions until the day after we left.  So we didn't get too far out in the water.

 Protecting our shoulders one day before heading out all day.

 Seeing Lexi's shoes reminds me that after leaving a Whataburger we somehow left one of her 5 day old crocs in the parking lot.  Alas, we needed a water shoe quickly when we arrived.

 In the afternoons we would sometimes head over to the pool right by our condo.

 One of the rare times we were all there.

 Crazies Rob & Shane, having fun

 Apparently my dad was telling a good story

 Probably having a "self-control" talk and reminding about pool safety

 Rob, uncle at his finest.  The Lundy's condo was right beside ours, facing the pond.  There was always a child following him around while he fished.  Even when the group went golfing, rob would fish while he waited to hit.  And would catch fish! 

Birdie with a happier Daniel once he got some antibiotics in him

 Nuf said, Ro-Ro

 Shane one evening around dinner.  He didn't wake up for a long time.  

 Derek eating a bear paw.  Hurts my tummy looking at it.  He chose not to finish it nor order it again.

 Daily pushups

 Papa took the three oldest to go play miniature golf.  I think this was Levi and Drew's first time to attempt this, so it was fun for all involved.

 A vision in pink, looking a little like Smurfette with the blue face sunscreen stick I picked up before the trip.  For the boys, of course, but the pink one didn't show up.  So why didn't anyone want to use that one???

 Levi loved him some Drew

 Uncle Rob at it again with the fiesty surf

 Kathy & Sarah, friends from 1971.

 One evening all the younger adult kids were going out for dinner.  So we all got some family photos in 5pm heat and sun.  A little sweaty and squinty in the end but so glad we did it!

 A lot of orange, I know.  And I haven't seen my shorts since.  I want to find them because I wore this outfit when I first met Lexi.  She knows them well and wants me to find the shorts of the day when I met Mommy.

 The whole crew

 The Blevins had shirts made for everyone that we sported the rest of the trip.  So fun!  They read - L.B.S. Reunion 2K12 Destin...Come on Summer

The Blevins crew

 The Smith clan

 My Mom and Dad drove to Destin a few days prior to the madness to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary that week!  Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!

 The Lundys fam

 The next day my parents took the Michaelis crew to the racing park.  Justin had been asking daily when we were going to go.  I LOVED doing this when we would come to Destin every summer growing up.  And apparently I still do.

Lexi, the animal lover and whisperer

 

Levi ready for the excitement

 Lexi was holding onto the car for dear life.  Don't think she was a fan.  Never heard a peep out of her, but the first track was super fast.

Riding the carousel

 Justin was the only one tall enough to do bumper cars

 And the only one tall enough to ride the small track solo

 Rob showing Levi his surgery scars.

 The older boys would throw frisbees to the younger ones, in front of pretty girls.  Hmmm, up to something I think

 We would sit around and chat in the late afternoons.  Oh right, and watch kids.

 40 years, baby

Man, Shane's shirt brings back the memories!  Alvin's Island shirt, sprayed on while you wait.

Blue bunnies

Daddy with the kiddos

 Levi loved to dig the holes

 Love this suit from Kacey.  She found it and even had it monogrammed.

 Daniel met us at the pool one afternoon

 One evening at the end of the trip I finally turned on the TV.  Watched us some Sound of Music before bed.  Too much to do to watch TV in Destin.

My parents took the kids to the little restaurant on the other side of the pond on your way to the beach.  There were soft shell turtles there.  Strangest things I have ever seen.

 Taking one for the team

 The older adults went out one night to enjoy a kid free meal

 So our group went swimming

The last night we were there I busted out the pajamas again, with Daniel having a set now as well.

 My dad telling my kids to bless their parents on the ride home tomorrow.  Bless the grandparents and extra set of hands on this trip!  My dad had planned every detail so that we just had to show up.  And when we told them 3 weeks prior that we would be bringing two more kids, well hey, it all worked out.

First time Justin has slept in the car in years.  The face masks help!  And don't think we haven't done it since!

So thankful that the Blevins and Lundys got to spend such quality time with my new kids right off the bat.  So thankful my parents housed us, planned every minute of each day, helped all the time, sacrificed friend time to entertain my kids, and enable us to have such a great family vacation!  Levi still ask if we are driving to Florida when we get in the car.  Thankfully, no, but I am looking forward to when we return!