Our Trip to the Beach...7 years and counting

In the airport getting ready to board the plane for Atlanta and then to Florida!

Chilling at the Beach (Luke is actually 8 not 16 years!)

Liam spent 99% of his time at the beach digging in the sand, fishing, hunting for crabs, and surfing.  He was always on the move!

Even Finn liked the ocean for at least the first half of the trip.  He got a little tired of the sand and heat by about Day 5 and really preferred the pool over the beach.  Not too bad for a 3 year old.

Finn trying the boogy board

Enjoying popsicles on the porch

Beautiful sunset

Watching the sunset

Finn and his shell

Picture night at the beach!

Silly pose after the serious pictures

Daddy and the boys

First night heading to see the beach

Aiden's shells

Aiden and Finn loved being buried in the sand

Standing in front of the infamous ice cream cone at the ice cream shop

Enjoying our treats

Liam's crab

Liam and Luke caught several of these little brown fish

Liam's sea cucumber!  This one was really fun to watch

Lots of little fish

Luke's prized crab

He was so proud and this crab was pretty big!

Waiting on the trolley to take us to dinner down the road on the last night in Seaside

Although we thought we were not going to make it to the beach this summer, there was a last minute cancellation on a house at the place where we usually go every summer.  In addition to that, after John flew all over the United States along with Japan and several other countries, we had a fair amount of frequent flyer miles.  So, when we had 24 hours to decide whether or not to go to Florida when everything lined up so perfectly, we jumped on it and booked a trip!

The boys didn't find out about the trip until the day we left.  Yes, we woke them up at 6:15 am and told them to pick a stuffed animal and pack it in their backpack because we were going on a trip.  We boarded the plane around 9:00 am and landed at the Panama City airport by 1:00 pm.

We spent the week at the beach and pool enjoying some of the best weather and beach conditions that we have ever had in Florida.  Both the weather and beach conditions can be highly variable in Florida and we have had years where there was a considerable amount of rain or where the ocean wasn't very conducive for swimming and playing.

Liam, especially, loved loved the ocean.  He caught so many fish, crabs, and other creatures.  Luke also enjoyed catching various things and playing in the waves.  Aiden and Finn definitely preferred the pool over the ocean, but they did enjoy being buried in the sand and probably eating snacks under the umbrella.

It was a wonderful, relaxing week that we all enjoyed so much.  We are so thankful we were able to return this year.