Return to Reality

Years ago our family made the decision to save up and go on a family vacation once a year.  When the kids were younger we surprised them each year at Christmas time with the destination.  Now that they are older, it takes a bit more coordinating, so we plan together.  With our second daughter in college now, it takes a even more planning as we have to go when she is on break.  Because she is in school not so close to us, this year we decided to pick her up and just keep heading south, ending up at the beach.  Ironically, it is the same place she was born 19 years ago.

 Yes, we were at the beach for an entire week.  I forgot how much I love the beach.  I forgot about the clear water and the white sand!  You see, Colorado is by far my favorite location we have lived.  There is something about the mountains that just makes my heart sing.  But I grew up spending summers at the beach and spent a lot of my early adulthood at my father's places at the beach.  We have a lot of beautiful memories of the beach, but we haven't been there in a while.

It was nice to see the surf and sand again!  To breathe in the salt air and listen to the waves- it has a way of relaxing your whole body.

We really did NOTHING except on one of our colder days, on which we went to the Gulfarium in Destin to see the animals.

Despite the fact that the first few days were colder that I had hoped, we had a fabulous time.  Some friends came to stay with us a few nights, and we got to reconnect with a few other friends as well.  It was a time of rest, healing, and fun in the sun!

Counting the days until we can go back!

Blessings,

MIA

In case you were worried, I didn't want you to think I was MIA!

It's just that I had forgotten how much I loved this place. 

I may not go home.
Just saying!

Blessings,

Conquering the Summer Bucket List

You may recall that we joined The Happy Family Movement and created our own Summer Bucket List.  With our move only 15 days away, we decided it was be deliberate or miss out on the fun.  We even decided how to document our progress.

Each item on our list is now highlighted on a 8x12 piece of paper to be displayed in our house.  (that part will have to wait 2 weeks)  Then, once a bucket list item is complete we will add a picture or two to that "banner" thus preserving the memories and giving us a visual of what we have accomplished.

Since we are moving to South Dakota, did I mention in under THREE weeks, we decided we better get started with our beach trip!  Can I confess that though my hubby and I both grew up in North Carolina and spent TONS of time at the beach, we had never gone to the Outer Banks?  I know, pitiful!  So with the help of some wonderful friends that loaned us their beach house for three nights, we were off.

SO. MUCH. FUN!

all pictures taken by ALP!

Really!  We could not have asked for better weather and as a bonus the Wright Brother's Memorial was practically right across the street so we got to take the kids there one afternoon as well.  Bonus!

There's a lesson for you...you never know when one bucket list item will lead to a surprise another one.

we'll put a little pin beside each completed item!