Home Sweet Home!!!

After a few days at the beach in Florida, I am finally home. I had a great time but I must admit that it felt so good to pull into my drive yesterday evening and I thought to myself "I don't want to leave this place for another trip for a long time". I think that two long trips in two weeks is just too much for anyone. At least I'm at home today getting things put away and cleaned up before heading back to work tomorrow. I will be working the next 8 days out of 9 so that will be a shock to my body and mind, I'm sure!

Here are just a few highlights from my Florida trip:

1) Our traditional meal at "The Crap Trap" on the beach never disappoints-the Grouper sandwich was great and the "fresh" strawberry daiquiri was to die for!
2) We also enjoyed a meal at "Hard Rock-Destin", the girls especially loved the souvenir glasses that their smoothies came in-hope they all made it home in one piece.
3) After a pretty wild storm on Wednesday evening the water was so clean and clear (for two days) that it was like a swimming pool. I had never seen the Gulf so beautiful, I wanted to stay in the water forever and my red back and arms prove it.
4) We actually saw dolphins this year, twice!! The first time we were in the water and saw them in the distance and we were like "is it dolphins or something else", we all kinda moved closer to shore. The second time we saw them we were all sitting on the beach and I spotted them jumping from the water. I have seen them before but always from a boat, it was just special to see them doing what they do and not being disturbed by anyone or anything.
5) With another storm moving in on Saturday and the waves picking up, it was a little scary but they really made boogie boarding great.
6) We rented bikes this year and took advantage of the great bike trail that Santa Rosa Beach has. Then one of the bikes was stolen from the bike rack at the condo, they brought us another one (and a lock) but time never worked out for me to ride again. Then all three bikes were gone on Saturday evening and we're not sure if the rental place came and got them or if they were stolen again because the helmets were still in the condo. We figured if the rental place had come and gotten them, they would also want the helmets and key---very strange!
7) I found out that a sleeping crab should not be disturbed--Holly found a great shell in the gulf for Zoe so I was determined to find one also, well I found a huge one, problem was that it was still occupied by it's owner. He didn't take kindly to me poking him with my foot and my big toe paid the price. He bit me hard enough to bring blood and I still have a nasty bruise from it. Worst part is that I know better than to do that, I guess I just got caught up in the hunt!!!
8) I actually spent some time in the condo pool this trip, it was great and the spa wasn't boiling hot as it had been on past visits so it was enjoyable also.
9) Now for the scary part of the trip--As I said before the waves were rolling pretty good on Saturday and for the most part it was great out in the water, but Jade had a different experience. Her bottoms were swept off and being 13 she didn't want to come ashore without them so she stayed in the water while Taylor came to tell us of her situation. Before we could get a towel out to her she was being swept further out and down the beach. Although she had a boogie board with her she was not able to ride the waves in (she didn't want her bare butt popping up out of the water). Thank goodness Kurt was with us this year because he was able to get to her and help her back to shore, towel and all. Needless to say she didn't go back into the water, only the pool for the rest of the trip. I'll admit when Taylor first told us that Jade's bottoms were gone, we all had a good laugh, until we were all out there trying to help her into shore and saw that she was struggling. After she was safe Kurt told us all that when he got to her and saw her he knew that she didn't have much fight left in her. God was certainly watching over her!!!
10) Silver Sands Outlet Mall was once again a great place to spend an afternoon/evening. The girls all got some school clothes and I found a great buy at the Nike store on some slides that I've been eyeing. Kurt got some good buys on work clothes and workout wear. It was a successful side trip.
11) Destin Commons is a great little place to eat, shop and take in a movie. The girls all went to "The Proposal" and us adults went to "The Hangover". If you haven't seen this movie, I highly suggest you do, I hadn't laughed so much at a movie in years. I'm definitely going to watch it again with Doyle.
12) I have to give a great big "THANK YOU" to Holly for doing the grocery shopping and most of the cooking at the condo. It's always a good time when we vacation together!!!!


Lastly, I made up my own little verse about vacation:

Condo rental at Gulf Place in Santa Rosa Beach, $775.00
Cost of gas to get to Condo and back home, $140.00
Average cost of meal out per person, $25.00
Cost of movie ticket in Destin, $9.75
Serving up your big toe to a crab, free
Spending 6 great days in Florida with family and friends, PRICELESS!!!!!