Quick Get-Away...To The Beach!

Every year we try to make it to the beach. For the most part we have made that happen. This year with the belt a little tighter then ever, we let the kids decide which 'events' were more important to them...and the beach out weighted everything else. I don't blame them, the beach is magical in many ways.

We drove about 5 hours south through Alabama and down toward the panhandle of Florida to Panama City for an overnight stay.

We enjoyed the sand, the 'wild life'...

...the arts and crafts, strolls down the beach...

...and of course the glorious sun and all that nature has to offer.

Here is one thing any parent would enjoy...watching your kids, especially the youngest explorer, experience the sensations of the ocean. He was hilarious!

Funny boy!

Raegan was my wonder-er! She loved looking, learning and observing...and yes, she forgot her swim suit! So day 1, she swam in her clothes until we could hit a souvenir store.

Rian was my ocean-ologist...she found all sorts of creatures and loved just spending all her time in the water. But of course she found time to build her masterpiece...with a moat.

This girl just dodged about ever picture, because she was always head first in the water...my little fishy...

Between shell hunting, and castle building, Jarom was hardly heard from. I seriously enjoyed shell hunting with these guys! They are so cute!

As you can see, our kids were eating up every minute of time they had at the beach!

As the sun was getting deeper in the sky, I really wanted to head over to the pier and watch the sky change colors. Sadly, only two wanted to go with me, but we had a great time.

These two were my cuties at the pier...

From here we watched the sun fall down into the depth of the ocean. Ammon decided the pier was huge!

A lady walking by took our picture for us.

Can't go to the beach without watching the sun set...

Down...down...down...til the sun looks like it is just melting into the horizon.

Raegan was blown away how the edge of the earth and the roundness of the sun just merged and literally melted into each other. My camera didn't do the event justice, but it was fascinating! Glad she could enjoy such a moment, and I was glad I could witness it with her!

The End...of the day!

I absolutley love going down to the beach when it is dark and all the kids are asleep...just sitting there and listening to the waves and peaceful sounds made from our Creator! ...but I was exhausted and crashed. Next time...Next time for sure!