Beach Trip Part 1

We can't get enough of the beach! We drove to Destin, Fl again for our summer vacation. This post is all about the road trip on the way to the beach. We drove around 9 hours the first day, stayed overnight in a hotel, then drove the other few hours to Destin. On the way home we always drive straight through. I think we decided to just drive straight through the next time we go and skip the overnight stay.

Anytime we see a Buccee's we have to stop! They boys love that store and there is so much to explore! And there's some tasty food too.

We ate dinner at a good restaurant by our hotel where we stayed overnight for the first leg of the trip. Of course now I can't remember what it was called. ;-)

Each time we drive to Destin we pass the Battleship Memorial Park and wonder if we should stop. So this time we planned ahead and went. They boys LOVED it, especially Ethan. It was filled with all things army/navy/airforce. I'm glad we went early because it got SO HOT.

For Papa. :-)

Of course the battleship was the main attraction. I don't know why I thought there would be AC in there. I mean, I know it didn't originally have AC but now it's a tourist attraction. There were a few rooms that had a tiny bit of air blowing but otherwise it was close quarters and HOT. Caleb freaked out a few times because he thought we were going to get trapped in there. I finally had to go outside with him so he could breathe and let Mondo and Ethan finish exploring.

They loved "shooting" the guns.

The kitchen area. Everything behind the glass was plastic food with mannequins for chefs.

Sleeping quarters.

Next up was the submarine. It was SUPER HOT in there too. And tiny spaces!



Itty bitty hallway.



Caleb got a kick out of the steering wheel.

I couldn't imagine cooking in that hot little kitchen under water.

Hanging beds in the hall.





I was amazed at all of the knobs, buttons, etc. How long did it take to build one of those?!

I enjoyed looking at the planes/jets...indoors in the AC with a vending machine full of gatorade. ;-)

I'm glad we finally went. The boys really enjoyed it and we can scratch it off of our to-do list! :-)

Random Summer Pics

Ethan decided he wanted to mow the backyard. He was a sweaty mess when he was done but I think he felt accomplished. ;-)

Any time the fire hydrants are open Caleb puts his bathing suit on and runs outside to play.

This is what happens when Caleb applies his own sunscreen.

Lunch date with mommy at Olive Garden.

Banana split at Braums one night after church.

Hanging out at Colton and Carson's new pool.

Caleb is getting into tennis!

Playing a little golf...well...I watched.

Helping clean Nana and Papa's pool.

Hanging out at the club pool.

Caleb's first morning of tennis camp!

While Caleb was a tennis camp I had a coffee/Barnes and Noble/Cheesecake date with Ethan. :-)

He shares my love for everything chocolate.

My poor dogs do get walked on occassion.

Poor little Lexie has to stop for breaks.

Enjoying a "dive in" at the club pool.

No way he's sinking!

I bought a new bed for the dog...and Caleb claimed it.

How I spent most of my summer.

We don't need a pool to have fun...just turn on the sprinklers!

The boys have a sleepover with their cousins and had a super fun time.

Fourth of July swimming with all of the cousins.

The old faithful wood grill where the BBQ magic happens.

Yay for Mondo the grill master! Look at all of those chickens!

...and hot dogs!