This was the third year that we have taken a family vacation to Destin, FL. My sister and her family along with my family load up and travel 10 hours, by car, to the lovely beaches of Destin. This year we had 2 added bonuses. The first and most important was the addition of Nana, and second was our new beach house rental...Bella's Bluff. She was a beaut. It was like nothing I have ever vacationed in. The only way we could afford it was going the last week of off season. That did not matter much. We only had one day of rain, and none of us are too fond of crowds. It worked out perfect.
After unloading we hit up our favorite restaurant The Crab Trap (Trap). Makenna always adds on an extra trap for some unknown reason. Sherrie, Jamie, and I ordered the Alaskan King Crab Legs. YUM!! Nothing better. Later that night Maddax threw up on the beach. But all was good, Chris was with him.
First day out was a little overcast, but the kids did not mind. We finished the afternoon off in the community pool and hot tub. That night we ate at Cheeseburger in Paradise. If you ever go to Destin eat there and try the fried dill pickles. WONDERFUL. Chris and I went back another day for a second helping.
Second day was wonderful. Started out at the beach again with Maddax dead set on not getting in the sand or the water. Finished up at the pool to rinse off. Most of us got a little too much sun so we were not too saddened that the following day it rained. Mom, Sherrie, and I went to Marshells store for some great buys. Maddax however, being like most men, hated being in the store so we cut it short to head home. It was okay though because the boys let us have another night to finish what we started.
Maddax not only warmed up to the beach, he loved it. He would make a bee line to the water so he required much attention the rest of the trip. Everyday at 10:30 he would start getting cranky and Nana would scoop him up, snuggle him close and walk down the beach. In no time flat he was out like a light. Then she would bring him back and lay him on a towel. He slept fine under our beach umbrellas (a must on the beach).
Makenna loved the beach day one. She would go out in the water all by herself. Yeah that scared me too.
A few minor mishaps happened. We all got poked by these baby shrimp things once or twice on our feet, as they were unavoidable. A huge jelly fish landed on the beach and Chase picked it up with his net so we could all take a better look. After chucking it further up on the sand, his net rubbed his and Callie's legs. Well its poison must have still been on the net because they both got stung on the legs. Time, ammonia, and sand helped to heal their wounds. Later Chris got stung on the toe in the water by a jelly and Nana got pinched on her pinky toe when she accidentally stepped on a crab in the ocean. I on the other hand navigated freely from harm on the beach but had bigger issues once we got back to the beach house. I got sun poisoning, again. This is the third year in a row. I used 50 or 30 sunblock everyday and reapplied. Plus I spent a lot of time under the umbrella with Maddax. It did not hit me till Thursday and just so happened that mom got it too. Her feet swelled up to the point her toes looked like hot dogs. The only common link is that we are both on Synthroid. So be aware if you are on Synthroid you may be hyper-sensitive to the sun in areas where the sun is hotter. The first time I got sun poisoning was in Hawaii 10 years ago, and I was on Synthroid then. Yuck.
We had a great vacation. Makenna was so sad to not have Aunt Sherrie and the gang for dinner last night. She keeps asking if we can go back to the beach house next week. I tell her no but next year we can. I have already started looking at other vacation homes to rent pending Destin is not ate up with oil.
The night before we left we went out on the beach a took family pics. She is a momma's girl and he is a daddy's boy (sometimes).
The best part of it all was being with family. We would play skip-bo or phase ten till the wee hours of the night just enjoying each other. That is unless you are sitting after my sister. She count cards and remembers everything you throw down. That way she never discards anything you need. I lost frequently.
One night mom watched all the kids so we could have a date night. Even though we went and ate at different restaurants we ran into each other later to buy pillows and enjoy a Starbucks. I am so
lucky blessed to have such a wonderful family. Yeah we have our differences but we always seem to work it out. Makenna said, "I just miss having us all together." Me too honey, me too.
Nana and all the grandkids.
