Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Good Life

We had finally made it.  It's a very long ride, and it's a very exciting moment when we get there.  It's the gulf coast.  It's Destin.  It's our home away from home that we dream of the entire year.  It's about the seventh time we've been and it's still just as exciting as the very first...when Jonah had little to no hair and big rolls on his sweet legs and the puffiest cheeks.  Oh, I remember sitting his little bottom on the sand and thinking it couldn't get any better than that moment. 



Little did I know...



seeing this excitement and watching them grow up going here makes it better and better every year.



Destin is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.  The water is crystal clear, even after everything that's happened.  The sand is lush and white.  It's a dream.



We go to Sandestin every year.  It's familiar.  It feels good.  It calls our name.



This is not exactly what I meant by get in the picture Jonah.  But, it's ok.  I sort of like it.  It captures your spirit.



This is along the village in Sandestin.  It's a really neat atmosphere full of shops and restaurants and activities for kids.

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And this is our boy on the Euro Bungee.



I was proud of us this year.  We spent more time at the pool and the beach than anything.  We took it easy.



The weather was great.  The pool was probably their favorite.  Funny how that is.





Jesse girl.  She's something.  She was quick to tell us when she had to go potty.  You heard that right.  Jesse girl is potty trained.  It's a miracle.  This is our first trip with her in big girl panties.  That's a big deal.  And she was quick to remind us every time she went potty that she needed some M&M's.  I actually think it is more about the prize than anything.  Hey, whatever it takes.



Jonah gets braver every year.  Jumping in like a wild man.



Making friends as usual.  (Such a sweet boy.  They reminded me so much of each other.)

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"Hmmm, if I go potty again, I wonder if she will buy me another bag.  She's so easy."

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"If not, I'm sure I'll get her again tomorrow."

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"...and the next day."



I think I mentioned that my love turned a year older.  Yes.  He did.  Jonah wanted a Harry Potter cake, but a beach theme seemed more appropriate.  Although, the theme of the weekend was an equal mix of Harry Potter movies and beach for sure.

I'm just going to sit back and let you see these...













Birthdays are special.  It doesn't take much to make it that way with our family.  There's cake.  There's a song.  There's smiles.  And there's love and laughter.  That's what it's all about.



And it helps if you go for an unexpected game of mini golf after cake.  Well equipped with glow in the dark necklaces and bracelets of course.  Yeah, that's a nice treat.

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I can't look at these long.

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Where's my baby girl?  Oh good grief.



Sometimes we went out to dinner.  One time it didn't turn out well, but this night was fantastic.  Lesson learned:  stick with what you know.



Then we went back to the village for a little adventure.  Well, Jonah went adventuring.  It was his night.



There wasn't anything he didn't want to do.  He started out on this.  He's connected to a rope pulley.  He has to follow the course to the top and ring the bell.









If pictures had sound, well, you would hear me screaming, "Way to go Jonah!!  You rock buddy!"

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But that wasn't all.  They had a zip line.  Holly Molly.  They had a zip line across the lake and he wanted to do it.  Where's my little chunky baby boy?  I can't handle it.



And she hung out with us and watched and told us stories of what all she would accomplish in this life time.

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"Well, that's my brother up there."



"But, when I'm a big girl, I'm going to go here."

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"Yes."

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"You're going to be so proud of me."  I already am proud of you my sweet Jesse girl.

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I'm proud of the both of you.

Note to self:  Why didn't you zip line?  Next time.

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Nature trails are a treat, but you have to go early.  Like after a morning breakfast out.

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And of course, vacation is the perfect time for Harry Potter and ice cream in bed after a mid-day nap.

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I mean.  Why not?



Cause we got more beaching to do you know.  We need some energy.



We are so drawn to them.  You know...dogs.  I do not believe we go on a vacation that I am not capturing a picture of them with a sweet dog of some kind.  They have the same hair.  I'm loving this breed.

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Oh good grief.  Where did those longer legs come from?

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Oh, good grief.  My sweet young man.  I can't handle it.

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No honey, touch your cheek to Jonah's cheek.  Don't literally touch his cheek.  Oh honey, that's his chin.  Oh shit, don't listen to me.  Just be natural.



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You know, sometimes the very, merry unpefect shots are my favorite.  I would like to blow this up and put it on my cubicle wall at work.

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Sea breeze.  I'm so happy at this moment.



And yet again, we look desperate enough that someone comes along and says, "Would you like for me to get your picture together?"  "Oh, thank you so much!"  I hand over the camera and in my mind I am remembering that I forgot to take it out of manual mode.  I'm thinking, oh my this is not going to work.  Then, I just say to myself, there's always a chance.  We gather together.  I don't know if she counted or said the familiar "say cheese".  Actually, she probably said nothing.

And it turned out just fine.

It's all I needed.  One picture.  Thank you.  Whoever you are.

It's been harder than ever adjusting back to the routine this year.  I just think that every year I realize how precious my time with them is.  I see how much they are changing.

Being with them is the good life.  It's a real good life...no matter where we are.

2 comments:

  1. These are amazing! And Jesse...she's so Aunt Sandra...especially the bathing suit shots...the first one...wow!
    I can't believe how they're growing! Sure do miss you! But I'm so glad to be able to see you & those sweet babies on here!
    Love you!

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  2. I miss you too! Thank you! Thank you! It made my day to see your comment! You have no idea. I love you and miss you so much! Heather

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