Uncle Wesley!! Uncle Wesley!! (post 6 - the end.)

Our last beach day was made much better when my brother drove down to hang out with us and meet Maclyn. We had hoped we would get to see him while we were down there, but thought the plans had fallen through because I miscommunicated the specific days of our vacation and they weren't going to work with Wesley's work schedule. We were sad, the boys especially, but we understood...that's real life afterall.

But then things lined up and Uncle Wesley was able to come join us! The boys were beyond excited when he got there (though I cannot lie, they were super difficult and needy once Wes got to the beach...maybe too excited? Maybe over the whole beach thing? Who knows...). Maclyn was probably excited, too, but she pretended she wasn't. 

Doritos in the morning while on the beach. Duh. Who doesn't do this?!

YAY! Uncle Wesley is here!!

This was Wesley's first time meeting his first niece. She is a bit of a diva and he wasn't holding her just right. That's ok...it got better!

After lunch we headed back down to the beach, and Uncle Wesley played with (read: was bugged by) his nephews. He's super patient and such a great sport.

After showers we headed to The Back Porch restaurant. We had never been before but will definitely be going back! It was in a great location, short wait, and great food! And I think we sat in the best spot of the restaurant. 

Our last morning was spent packing up and preparing to leave Destin. Uncle Wesley and Maclyn really got to know each other that morning, "talking" and hanging out on the balcony. It was a huge help to us because we were able to get stuff packed up! Sweet big buddies! :)

The kids did just as good on the way home as they did on the way down. It made the traveling so much easier! And it has been a long time (like, before Finn was born) since we've had good traveling.

Yo ho! A pirate's life for me! (post 5)

Every time we go to the beach we try and go on a boat ride. Usually it is a dolphin sunset cruise on a giant speed boat (lovingly called a booze cruise because, Hello!, free beer and wine. And what doesn't make a sunset and a bunch of dolphins better than some wine? ....anyways...). But because Maclyn is too little for those shenanigans and a fast and loud speed boat, we had to dial it back a bit.

So we ended up on a pirate ship called the Buccaneer, which I incorrectly thought was a booze cruise. Sad, because it really should have been since the entire 2 hour tour (channel Gilligan's Island music) was geared towards all the little kids on board and there really was no where to sit for the grown-ups, there were no dolphins, and it was 900-degrees. Do I sound needy? Maybe. But I really thought I was going to get to enjoy an adult beverage on a boat while someone entertained my kids. Instead, they charged for beverages (soft and hard) and had all kinds of over-priced pirate themed toys (garbage) to cause total melt-downs of children like mine. I just spend $100 to ride this boat and no, I am not buying you another plastic sword. (I am mean.)  I probably would have purchased the stupid sword if I was welcomed aboard with a "free" glass of wine. Just saying. They clearly need better marketing strategies.

(oh. is this about the kids?!)

Anyways, the boys had a great time (it is about them after all) and Maclyn was fantastic. After we threatened to get off the boat if Finley didn't quit screaming for "just one more toy" all was good. And there was no way we were getting off the boat unless we wanted to swim back to the dock, but he didn't know that. Josh and I said we would never ride that again, and justified the whole trip with the boys excitement. They still talk about it and have asked to ride it again (we won't, but I am glad they enjoyed themselves) so I know now that the $100 was money well spent. At least Maclyn was free.

Now, grab an adult bev and sit back and look at these pictures of my boys doing pirate stuff. 

Third Wheel? (post 4)

Maybe I should really title this post something else, like "Best Friends" or "Beach Playmates." But poor Finley is a third wheel. While we were down in Destin, Maeci and her parents were down in Navarre for their vacation. Luckily for Keagan and Maeci, their parents also enjoy each other's company. So while Josh and Jeff went fishing Maegan and I hung out with the kids at the beach and the pool. Unfortunately for the (big) boys, or maybe I should say Josh, they didn't fare well on their fishing trip. They all caught a big fish but poor Josh lost his when the line broke! Needless to say, there are no pictures to share from their event. But there are PLENTY of pictures of these three little friends, or two best friends and their third wheel.  These kids are so cute, it is hard to NOT take pictures of them! And they enjoyed taking pics of each other with the waterproof camera. Such fun memories made...

Maeci and Keagan were all about some selfies with the waterproof camera, and I was cracking up at them so I decided to take a picture of them taking their selfies!