Destin!

We got back yesterday from a short trip to Destin, Florida with Eric's uncle and aunt, who so generously invited us to tag along with them during their annual trip.  We couldn't have had a better time if we tried- it was PERFECT!!  

But first- one of Eli's drawings from school.  Every day they "journal," drawing a picture and then sounding out words to explain the picture.  This is one of his- two people (and that thing on the bottom right is a "tank full of starfish that they are pumping out," go figure! :) ) and the sounded-out-all-by-himself-with-no-help word, "PEPL."  I am amazed at all he has learned in just two short weeks of kindergarten!  His teacher is absolutely amazing.  

And now on to some Destin pictures...

We left Dallas at 3:30pm on Wednesday afternoon and got to Destin at 4am on Thursday morning.  Needless to say, we were all very tired!  My sleeping boy the next morning:

I love this picture- running into the ocean on Thursday morning.

Surfer dude.

He was determined to stand up on the boogie board and "surf."  Of course, that didn't work so well and he learned to just ride the waves in with his belly on the board.

Family on the beach!  This is a picture of pure HAPPINESS.

There was lots and lots of sandcastle building.

More sandcastles.

We went hunting for crabs at night- we found a few big ones and TONS of little tiny ghost crabs.  It was a really memorable night, one I hope Eli will never forget.

Sunrise on the beach right outside the condo.

On the balcony of the condo.

This kid is a beach bum!  He played in the water from dawn until dusk for each of the three days we were there.  

The water was so clear and pretty!

And of course, no vacation is complete without a lot of good eating!  Obligatory tourist photo at the Back Porch, home of the best fish sandwich I've ever eaten!

This is just a small smattering of the MANY photos we took.  :)  We are SO thankful for this little trip to the beach and for the time we got to spend with Uncle Albert and Aunt Kathy.  We came back relaxed, happy, full, and tan- all the hallmarks of a good trip.  :)

Now we are just counting down the days until we get to go back!