Spring Break Here We Come!!!
Doesn't this picture look precious?
We were freezing. Even for Spring Break Florida weather .... it was unseasonably cold.
But at least we got a cute family picture!
This year we decided to strategically place our road trip stops where we would run around have do so some fun activities for the kids. On the way to Destin we stopped in Mobile, Alabama to visit the USS Alabama. This was a nostalgic stop for Matt because he remembers camping there as a Boy Scout when he was little. And our kids LOVED it! We didn't actually go on the ship, but there was SO MUCH to see in the Memorial Park
Dragon Wagon!
Like I said, Destin was unseasonably cold. But we were determined to see the beach and explore while we were there!
Bundled Up to Play in the "Snow"
I think the cold weather and the white sand was a little confusing for the girls. They kept calling it "snow." Fair enough. I see why they would be confused ;)
Uncle Thomas and Parks
Family Lunch Time!
Little did we know during lunch ... Payton spiked a 102 fever, and she spent most of her vacation in our laps, or in her bed! We knew something was up when she fell asleep on the booth next to me! The other kids spent some serious play time in the heated pool while Payton napped.
Water Bug Babies!
These two are two peas in a pod. They loooooved this big step in the pool and would not go back inside without a fight. They'd probably still be playing out there if we didn't make them come inside with us! (Notice one is fully clothed! ;))
Inseparable
The girls enjoyed some extra comforts while we were there! First, Aunt Mary braiding their hair was a regular, daily ritual. I didn't get any pictures of the actual braiding time, but every braid that Parker wore the whole week was crafted by Aunt Mary.
Payton Snuggled With Aunt Rachel The Whole Week
I think it might be their connection over Disney princesses that finally won little Pay over.
And both girls found the benefits of having a significantly older cousin around all the time.
Big Cousins Can Hold You In the Pool...
...And Read to You When Mommy Can't
Barrett loved having his cousins around for a whole week too!
Listening to Them Laugh So Hard was Hysterical
They kinda got in trouble for the reason they were laughing. But it was still pretty cute.
Since the beach weather wasn't cooperating, we decided to try our luck in Seaside. Expect it was freezing there too! We made the most of it though! That town is too cute to NOT have fun!
Never Too Cold For Ice Cream
Back to the heated pool once we got back to the house. Payton finally got some swim time when she had a little break in her fever.
Aunty Mary's 21st birthday just so happened to be in the middle of our vacation week. All the big girls went out for breakfast in the morning. But we picked up all the littles for a fun afternoon of mani/pedis. I didn't get any pics of Payton because I was holding her the whole time. But Parker was in HEAVEN. She waited in that chair just as patient as could be ... just waiting for somebody to paint her nails pink. I love this girly-girl side of her.
Just Waiting
Blurry - But Happy to Be With All the Girls
Aunt Alli and Hannah Enjoying Vacation Indulgences
Once it was fiiiinally warm enough to brave the wind on the beach, you couldn't keep us away! Here is what I learned about my kids:
Barrett loves playing in the sand and building and burying anything he can find ... including himself!
Parker would stand at the shore line and let the waves hit her over and over again all day long if I let her. (Had to stay close to this one to makes sure she didn't try to make a run for it! A run into the ocean!)
Payton is fine digging in the sand, as long as someone is next to her and she feels secure.
Me and My Boy
Which brings me back to our family pictures. Disaster.
Well. Kind of.
Everyone looked adorable. And I bribed the kids to take good pictures. They all turned out super cute!
It just wasn't the day we were expecting. The weather made us re-think all our fun in the sun plans, and most of us spent the morning curled up with blankets and coffee! Definitely a stay-inside-cozy kind of day. But we took a chance on catching a beautiful sunset, and it was definitely worth it! Even the pictures where the kids aren't being still are precious!
They were definitely troopers - and we got lots of good pics because of it!
Choas ...But CUTE Chaos!
The Boys
Sweet Hannah wanted a picture of her girl cousins too, but they didn't want to cooperate.
We tried to make it up to her later.
Flashback To This Same Picture Two Years Ago
Same Little Personalities
The Whole Wilson Fam :)
We took the whole family to one of our favorite places on the Boardwalk for dinner that night.
Harry T's Lighthouse was a surprise find for us last time with the kids ... so this time we brought the whole crew with us.
Our last day ended up being the BEST, most perfect, beach weather. So we played for as long as we possible could!
Let's. Do. This!
My Girls
They wanted a picture of all 3 of us with our matching sunglasses.
That Face!!!
Sisters
Hannah Hugs!
She's trying to make up for not taking a picture with her on family picture night. Just be patient with us a little bit longer Hannah! Once the girls are a little older they will be your best little buddies!
My Love
And then one last family walk and dinner on the boardwalk before we had to leave.
On the way back home, we stopped at the Vicksburg National Military Park for some fresh air and a little history lesson. In reality, all of the kids are too little to even begin to understand anything about the civil war. But they thought the cannons were pretty cool. And the rolling hills the perfect weather made it a perfect stop for all of us!
Photo Cred: Barrett
Yea for Spring Break!
Even with the crazy weather and the kids fighting a virus, I will always love visiting the beach taking a break from our "normal." And watching my kids discover new things and have new experiences while we create memories is priceless.
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