Gulf Shores Family Vacation Part 1

In July we went on our first family vacation to the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama for 4 days and 4 nights.  We shared a condo with Sandy, Warren and the kids and my parents shared a condo with Warren's parents.  Jeramy and I decided to fly there, but everyone else drove!  This was Sophia's first vacation AND first flight!  I am happy to say that she did really well on the flights both there and back.  We packed lots of snacks, toys, and other misc. entertainment.  And she was so worn out from the trip that she actually slept on the way back :)

We had such a wonderful vacation!  Jeramy and I felt like we were actually able to relax, which we did not expect.  As soon as Sophia walked into the condo she started running around, so excited, as if she knew she was on vacation.  She loved being on the balcony looking at the beach and the ocean!  And she really loved spending time with her grandparents, cousins and aunt and uncle, as did Jeramy and I!  Not only that, but she slept great every night and took a good nap every day, which was another unexpected bonus :)  Sophia loved playing in the sand and running around in the baby pool.  By the second day she seemed to like the ocean water, but of course did not spend as much time in it because she had to be held.  I think all 3 kids' favorite part of going to the beach was eating snacks in the tent with Aunt Sandy!  I'm so glad we decided to go on a family vacation this summer and we hope to do it again sooner rather than later.

Here are pictures from the first 2 days:

Of course our flight was delayed on the way there...but luckily our gate was right next to the children's play area!

The restaurant on our first night had a huge sand pile to play in and Sophia loved it!  She is the smallest kid playing - not surprising!

Sliding down the sand pile and getting dirty!!

Having fun!

My sweetie ready to go to the beach!

Sophia preferred to be in the Grant's tent with all of the good snacks :)

Playing with sand

Nana and Sophia

Relaxing!

A little unsure of the water...

Dinner on night #2 in matching dresses :)

This restaurant also had a sand playground!

Hula-hooping skills

Sophia wanted to try

We had a fun night!