Beach Vacation Wrap Up: Shell Island, Friday, & July 4th

Our last 2 days at the beach turned out beautiful! And the ocean finally calmed down a little. Vacationing on the Gulf growing up always meant pretty calm waters but the past few years we've seen huge waves and rough water throughout our vacations. Thankfully the boys didn't mind because they were content in the safe zone. Plus, we were treated to a visit to Shell Island where they got to swim and play in lake-like water for half the day! 

Ready for our boat ride and shuttle to the island!

We had a bit of a scare on the way over when another boat passing by caused our boat to rock side to side in a very out of control and unsafe manner. At least that's how it felt! Terrell, Layton, and my dad were sitting on the first row and got soaked. By a wave that came over the side of boat!! Cue me feeling very uncomfortable and very much not okay! It was crazy and scary but thankfully the captain got the boat back under control and explained what happened and apologized after we docked. Thank you Jesus that it wasn't any worse than us being scared and getting wet!! Other than that experience we had a really fun time at Shell Island. =)

The boys loved this little stretch of water. So clear. So calm. So perfect except that it was freezing when we first arrived. 

Garrison spent the majority of the time we were there exactly like this. Snorkel mode. But without a snorkel. Haha. He loved seeing the fish under water and loved trying to catch anything moving. 

Layton preferred to hang out, stay dry, and eat snacks. 

The Gulf side of Shell Island was beautiful. The color of the water was amazing and it was perfectly clear. The waves were still crazy but the view was soo pretty. 

My little seashell finders had the best time.

We were worn out after our day at Shell Island! Thankfully we had a safe trip back on the boat and were able to have a low-key afternoon before heading out to eat at Sharky's for supper. Yay for a more pleasant dining experience with our littlest! 

Friday was a full day of the beach and pool. Lots of baseball, lots of playing in the ocean, lots of time on the beach. I stayed in with Layton after lunch while the big boys went to the pool with daddy and swam and swam and swam. Layton napped while I relaxed, rested, and read. =)

Before packing up and heading in on our last day, Garrison made a special sand castle with Granna and Papa. Such a fun way to wrap up the vacay for our biggest. =)

We decided to get take-out on Friday night because it was a little late to go out and because the boys were tired and it honestly probably wouldn't have been pleasant to take Layton out. Staying in turned out to be perfect. After supper my parents took care of Layton and put him to bed so we could take the big boys out for frozen yogurt one last time. Garrison made this picture of us. =) We had such a fun time with our bigs. 

Saturday morning was July 4th so we dressed in our red, white, and blue and loaded up for home. We had a great trip and made really good time. Yay! 

Back at home, unpacked, and ready to head down the street to AnAn and Frankie's house for a 4th of July party! 

They weren't able to go on vacation with us this year so they hosted us on Saturday night. They grilled for us and we enjoyed a delicious meal and fun time together hanging out. Unfortunately I came home with a little cold and wasn't feeling so great but that didn't stop us from celebrating America's birthday. =) 

The boys got to do sparklers and see some fireworks before we walked home. (Yay for living so close!!) The fireworks were huge... like the real deal, crazy, HUGE. So Terrell went back to enjoy all that fun with the men folk (while my mom and sister were apparently yelling at them to hurry and run, haha) while I headed to bed. We had a really busy but fun, memorable vacation and a fantastic 4th! So thankful for our summer tradition and looking forward to next year with our new little niece!! Passing the torch is gonna be fun. =)

Beach Vacation Part 2: The Middle

Monday morning we were ready for a full day of the beach and pool. We decided that since the weather was good we'd have pizza delivered for supper and stay out as long as we could. =) When we vacation, the beach (and pool) is pretty much our sole entertainment and source of fun. We do go out to eat some and try to take the boys to do something non-beach related, but for the most part we play in the sand, ocean, and pool all week long. 

I took my real camera down to the beach with us Monday morning for just a few pictures and then put it away safe and sound. It makes me too nervous having it around so much sand. 

My ocean, seashell, and always on the move beach lover... 

My excited, energetic, and now ocean lover...

My still skeptical but eventual sand and ocean lover...

The best I could get. =)

Thankfully a nap on the beach came soon after pictures for Layton Thomas and all was well again. 

Monday afternoon we all went back out for some pool time (not pictured), seashell hunts, and some walks on the beach. We really soaked up the full day and had lots of fun. And as you can see, our littlest man started coming around. =)  

We enjoyed another fun day on Tuesday... the day I took the least amount of pictures for some reason. I think I just felt really busy on this vacay so the opportunities were few and far between. Layton Selph was on the move and a handful almost constantly. We never would have made it without my parents and their help! I think we're ready to pass the torch to AnAn and Frankie for our next vacation. We'll still have 3 to their 1 but hopefully our 3 will be less work next year! Ha!

I stayed in with Layton for his afternoon nap on Tuesday so I watched Terrell and the big boys from our bedroom balcony. =)

We walked next door to Pier Park to eat supper and it was out of control crowded. (Which means it's lost some of it's appeal to me. When a place is so crowded you have to wait forever to eat and you have a hard time getting a stroller around... it's just not my favorite.) Layton was not a fan of being out late and eating late either. Whew. Glad to put that experience behind us. It could've been worse but definitely wasn't easy and fun. 

Wednesday was a beautiful day and we decided to get all of our beach and pool time in early, come in for a late lunch and to get everybody ready, and then head over to the Pier Park amusement park that afternoon before the crowds hit. The day turned out pretty perfect. =) 

*The green house in the background was ours and that's our bedroom balcony where I watched the big boys swim with daddy lots. 

 (Before going to the amusement park we took our annual white and khaki family pics on the beach... but I'll do a separate post with those)

The only downside to going to the amusement park in the afternoon was the heat. It was soo HOT. But at least there were no lines!! Thankfully my parents strolled Layton around and shopped and kept him out of the heat for most of the afternoon. They came over to the park to join us for the last few rides. 

  

I took Austin and Terrell took Garrison for the rides Austin didn't want to do. My middle man is cautious and safety first just like his mama. =) My biggest is a dare devil... just like his mama used to be. Haha.

Garrison even got Papa on a few rides to wrap up our afternoon. =)

We made tacos at the house for supper and it was a great way to wrap up our fun filled day. 

And that wraps up the recap of The Middle. =) Just one or two more to go...

Beach Vacation Part 1: The Kick Off

We are home and recovering from a super fun and really wonderful week at the beach! We are still on beach time and still a little worn out, but we are so grateful for experiencing a safe and special beach vacation. It's always a lot of work when vacationing with small kiddos but it's always worth it. Our summer tradition of a vacation to the beach remains a big time favorite for the whole fam. =) 

Here's a look at the kick-off to our vacay...

This year we returned to Panama City Beach, Florida and stayed in a really great location. We were directly across the street from the beach and right next door to Pier Park. Other than some traffic, it really was ideal. We had a great trip down and really took our time so by the time we got settled in at the house and made our traditional "arrival day visit to the ocean" outing, it was supper time. I must say, going to see the ocean and walking in the sand right after arriving is special for all of us. It is the best watching the boys' faces and excitement and awe. 

1st family pic!

The big boys were immediately drawn to the ocean. They ran for it like they'd missed it all year. =) I was a little shocked by Austin's love of it since last year he was very wary of the ocean and the waves and had already mentioned being a little nervous and scared about it this year. He wasn't intimidated at all though. Both big boys loved their beach reunion!

Layton was a little apprehensive but still amused by it all. =)

He wasn't so sure of the ocean... at first. After a couple of days he was all about it. =)

After rushing back to the house to beat the rain we were able to enjoy a laid back supper before getting everybody ready for bed. Overall we had a good 1st night.

The next morning we were up bright and early ready to head to the beach. Sunday's weather wasn't the best... overcast and windy with rain moving in, but we still made the most of our morning.

Layton was a little unsure of the beach and sand on our 1st full day... but definitely enjoyed his first experience in a beach chair. =)

Our big boys took off for the ocean again and got right in. We couldn't believe how comfortable and brave they were. Our babies are growing up. So bittersweet.

Layton played in the sand a little while his big brothers played baseball on the beach. 

Before lunch we made our first trip to the pool. The boys loved their pool time this vacation!

Layton was spent after missing his morning nap so he fell asleep at the pool and then didn't take an afternoon nap. Sigh. Vacation with this little man was a WORK. OUT. Can you say high maintenance and never a dull moment? Both hands raised high!! Ha!

After a pretty long afternoon that included lots of rain it was finally time to get ready to head out for supper. We decided on Angelo's... which means we couldn't pass up pictures with the bull. =) Even though Layton made things just a tad stressful exciting, we still enjoyed a delicious meal and our first night out in PCB. 

And I think that sums up Saturday and Sunday. Yay for a fun kick-off and getting the rain out of the way early in the week! 

More recaps coming soon... =)