The Journey is the Destination: Beach Vacay 2013

Baby's first time in the ocean

So, we just got back from our family vacation today. We ventured to Orange Beach with my side of the family and had an awesome time! I have a big family so needless to say there is never a dull moment! And to top it all off it was Augusta's first time to the beach--priceless memories were made over the last week. Ones I know we as parents will cherish forever.

Splashing in the waves with Mommy and Uncle Luke

Our first day we arrived around 4:30. We got settled in the condo and then decided to make our way down to the beach, since we still had plenty of daylight. Augusta's face when she first saw it, and then stepped into the waves was magical! She absolutely loved it! She's a waterbaby for sure and she didn't want to get out of the water--the only way we got her to leave the beach was promising the pool. And then getting her out of there was a struggle!

Someone is ready to play!

We had two pretty beach days (not too much sun with a breeze) where we got up early and headed to the shore. Augusta enjoyed every minute of it--she loved venturing out in the water, though she wanted to be carried out into it most of the time. She had fun collecting seashells. She carried around her little bucket and picked them up and dropped them right in there. Her favorite were the little white shells. She also had fun playing in the sand, building castles and animals. We also had fun at the indoor pool and hot tub. With the way the hot tub bubbled Augusta was in heaven thinking it was a big bathtub!

Thinking so hard in her Fourth of July attire

One night in here was also the Fourth of July. We cooked burgers and stayed in--celebrating family style. We also got to experience Augusta's first fireworks. She really enjoyed them. The noise didn't seem to bother her, though it was kinda late for her and she was tired. We watched them on the beach right in front of our condo. But we saw plenty of them and then headed up and watch more from our balcony.

Dad and Goo entertaining themselves with snapshots while shopping

The next day the rain started, so it was definitely a shopping kind of day. We hit the outlet mall and spent the majority of the day there. Then we headed back, exhausted, but just in time to get ready for dinner.

My World

The day after that looked like it would be more of the same--nonstop rain. But we still hadn't taken our family beach pics that I had so been wanting! So we got ready and waited for a break in the rain. That seemed like it would never come, so instead of missing our photo-op, we headed down in the drizzle. My little sis was our awesome photographer and even though there was mist to a light rain falling on us, the photos turned out so beautiful!

But guess what? Later that afternoon the rain cleared and the sun came out! We had a blast collecting shells (one of our favorites) and playing in the surf! It was the perfect end to our last full day at the beach. We had probably our best meal of the trip for dinner that night and then headed to the condo to pack for the journey home.

Love and Sand Castles

Such a fun getaway with the family! I'm glad we all got to experience it together and make those precious memories. Maybe Augusta will have some memory of it as she gets older, but if not, we always have the pictures and videos!