Beachin’ Again

When we booked our Dauphin Island trip back in November or December we were thinking there was no way we’d be doing a family trip this year. We were still social distancing and didn’t see it happening. Well, as soon as we all started getting vaccinated, Capn and Yaya decided it was time to look for a beach house too. We decided we had missed so much last year and the memories to be made were way more important than anything else, so we were going on both! 10 days after getting home, we were on the road again headed back to Gulf Shores for a week at Blue Heron. That storm that caused all of our bad weather the week before, made this water as blue and clear as we had ever seen it now.

A quarter of America was traveling for Memorial Day so we decided to leave early Saturday. We couldn’t get in to the house until 4:00, so we met Yaya and Capn for a late lunch when we got in. 

The cousins were so happy to get to hug on each other and Chad and Matt took them to play on the beach after Yaya got them set up with new beach gear. 

Sunday and Monday were mostly full beach days. And the nice thing about the kids being a little older is their independence. We don’t wait on them to go down to the beach and no one has to go up with them when they need a break. We aren’t forcing quiet time but they naturally take a little bit each day so it’s working really well. They are having a blast and feeling big, and the adults are getting a more relaxing vacation too. The know they have to have an adult to get in water but, other than that, they are (more or less) free to do what they want. 

We even let them go down to go crab hunting on their own on Monday night. This house doesn’t have a long boardwalk so we could see them everywhere, and they stayed in front of the house and we worked out a system for them to check in to a whistle. Cha Cha may have needed someone to talk her down but the kids had a blast! 😉

Tuesday morning the ladies and kids decided to go to breakfast at The Hangout and to get airbrushed shirts at the souvenir store. Josey wasn’t sure what to think about the pirates and princesses. 

Lilli has had an idea for matching t-shirts for all of the cousins since last time we were here 2 years ago and we finally made it happen. 

He was definitely surprised and loved them. We are really missing Josh, Hailey, Case and Lane but they had big work projects and another trip coming up in a few weeks so they had to miss this year. We can’t wait to see them all in their shirts next time we’re together!

We watched a wedding last night from our balcony.

And sat at the table outside for another delicious meal like we have every night we’ve been here

All before Rachel’s 40th birthday party

And the week is only half done so there is lots more fun to be had! 

It makes it easier to relax to knowing our animals are well cared for. Gypsy has never been left overnight and her first time gets to start off with a full week. But Raegan is staying in the house and housesitting and we know they are doing great from all of her check-in’s 

That has definitely been a blessing too! 



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