Gulf Shores Vacation

Just because we have a new baby in the family doesn't mean we won't vacation! (I should put that word in quotations because traveling with a 6 month old is no real vacation....) The Potter family and the Meyer family met in Gulf Shores, AL on June 3. Our flight to New Orleans was great - both girls were wonderful travelers. Unfortunately, the drive east took longer than we thought it would so we were a little worse for wear upon arrival. We made it, though, and Olivia demanded to be taken out to the ocean immediately! Alex, GG and Liv headed to the beach. From what I heard, Liv went nuts - she was kicking the water, yelling, screaming - just beside herself with excitement! Our condo was perfect and we had plenty of space. That night, the Potter's were exhausted from their drive south and the Meyer's were exhausted from our day of travels so everyone slept really well.

The days to follow were perfect! Our mornings were started very, very early thanks to two beautiful little girls by the names of Olivia and Annaliese. Liv would start her morning with some TV and breakfast and then suddenly, "let's go to the beach!" My dad, Duane, Alex and Giesla would pack up everything we needed (there was a lot of stuff!) and then haul it down to our spot. My mom and I would lather up the girls in sunscreen and then double check we had everything for the next couple of hours. Beach time until lunch and then we'd head back down!

breakfast in MSP

yum - rice cereal!

Annie's way of saying - "leave me alone, Grandma."

Annie's 1st dip in the ocean

Hanging out with Grandma and Papa

Olivia can always make Annie smile

Papa entertaining Annie at Lulu's

thank goodness for Chew Beads!

checking out the scenery 

Liv's snacking, Annie's napping

another dip in the ocean - she loved it!

not sure about her first taste of avocado....

On Wednesday of that week, Alex and GG headed back to Indiana. We were sad to see them go but they had to head back to the real world. We had a wonderful time with them, but it's hard not to! (even though Alex is a vegetarian....ha! gotcha, Al!)

see what I mean? She loved the beach!

ferris wheel ride

smiley Annie

water spout!

snoozing in the shade

child+sand+bucket = happiness

happy baby after her snooze

on our last full day in Gulf Shores, Liv and the boys did a fishing excursion. They saw dolphins, crabs, squid and all kinds of fish! They had a great time! 

Me, Annie and my mom stayed at the beach. Annie and Grandma snoozed in the shade!

family picture near Sea N Suds

the girls with their grandparents

Before we knew it, it was time to say good-bye and end our vacation. By the end of the week, Annie was not sleeping well so Duane and I were kind of ready to get home and get her back into a routine. It was still sad to leave the beach! The drive to New Orleans went a little better and we had some time before our flight. We were bad parents and took our girls to the French Quarter.... The beignets were worth it!

Thanks again to my parents and Alex and Giesla for making it such a wonderful trip! We appreciated your help with the girls so we could have a little down time. I even came back to Minnesota with a tan! As my parents were driving back to Indiana and we were heading to the airport, my mom was texting me potential places for Summer 2016 back in Gulf Shores! :)