The Emerald Coast

Over Memorial Day weekend this year we took a trip to the Destin, FL area.  This trip was a little different for us because we usually travel west and this time we headed east.  It was fun checking out a different part of the country than we have before.

The area is called the Emerald Coast because the warm water is so crystal clear that it has a greenish/bluish color to it, which is just pretty.  

But better than the wonderful warm water was the soft, sugary sand.  It was like silk on your feet!

We had a great time playing in the sand,

boarding in the Gulf, 

searching for sea life,

relaxing in the shade,

floating on the lazy river,

splashing in the pools,

wandering the marina,

enjoying perfect evenings,

and just being on vacation.

The water was warm, fairly smooth and absolutely perfect for little ones to play.

We saw dolphins everyday and on one day they swam close to shore and hung out for a few hours.  We also found crabs and clams of all kinds, sand dollars and shells. 

Ethan loved boogie boarding with Aaron,  who did all the work by carrying him farther out, getting him set up on the board and then giving him a push into the wave.  

Anyone would love to board like that!

Kels liked the water, but loved the sand.  And apparently loves to buried,

again,

and again,

and again.

After spending hours at the beach, then going back to the condo for a short rest, the kids only wanted to play in the condo's pool and lazy river for the rest of the day.  

These little water bugs were happy to spend four straight days wet!

Little man Cole did fantastic on his first  road trip vacation,

chilling in the shade,

sneaking in naps when he needed them,

and just being the happy baby he is.

He took his first swims this trip, not loving the Gulf but laughing and playing in the pool.

Don't look too closely at Ethan or Kelsey's eyes in these pictures because both kids came down with pink eye and colds about a day into the trip.  

It didn't seem to hurt or itch for either of them and since we were just going to the beach everyday our plans didn't have to change.

I love our happy, traveling kids.  Even when sick they don't want to slow down!