Florida, 2010

The first ever Park family vacation took place in June.  We went to Destin, Florida. 

We broke the 14 hour drive up into two days, spending the night at my Aunt Rachel's.  You CANNOT pass through New Orleans without stopping for Beignets...so Parker had his first french donut and loved it.  This is by far my favorite breakfast of all time!!

This was the view from our three bedroom / three bath condo.

And in NO particular order, here are the chronicles of our trip.

The first night the Sleep Fairy came all the way to Florida with gifts for all of the children!  That was very nice of her.  Parker got this alphabet puzzle.  He has already learned where the ZZZZZZZZebra is!

All the boys got their very own letter and gift from the Sleep Fairy. 

The very first day of the trip we found out that Parker LOVES to fall asleep at the beach.  We hadn't put our feet in the sand for 1 hour and he had zonked out. 

Colby immediately figured out how to play in the sand...and if you can see the green in the background...it is sea grass that comes once a year for two weeks.  Thankfully it only lasted about two days and then it was gone.

Once Parker woke up from his nap we were able to let him get his feet dirty!

Ahhh, the good life.  No work, just play...relax...play...relax.

We went out to eat every night.  This was our first night out.

 

Four wonderful, amazingly cute boys.

The wait was over an hour.  Luckily, the Sleep Fairy gifts were sticker books for the big kids and they were a life saver!

Day 2...having fun with Daddy.

Kristan and Colby, Donnie and Parker enjoying the warm water.

I came out to join them...but wait...if you look hard enough you'll see that Parker has ONCE AGAIN fallen asleep.

Just chillin under the beach umbrellas.

There is a certain song that goes...

I've got my toes in the water, ass in the sand...

Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand...

Life is good today...Life is good today.

Perfect motto for this trip!

But wait...someone has fallen asleep AGAIN! 

The second night some of us went to eat at this restaurant on the beach.  It was lovely.

Life is good today...Life is good today...

The whole crew.

The men doing what they are supposed to be doing...paying the bill.  Don't they look like the are concentrating hard!

Day 3, 4, and 5 was more of the same...relax...play...relax...play...

Andrea appears to be alternating beer and water.  As for Donnie...he don't need no stinkin water.

Notice how beautiful the water is now.  No more sea grass.

Kristan, Chris and Austin taking a snack break.

Austin, Dylan and Andrea looked for crab and sea shells.

While me and the little guy watched. (LOVE this picture)

Donnie enjoying yet another beer.  BUT WAIT...what's with the towel?...

 

Parker bit the dust AGAIN.  I'm telling you...something about that ocean air, nice breeze, and crashing waves put this kid to sleep every day!

One of the fun moments of the trip was playing with the kites Aunt Marilyn sent from New Iberia, LA.  They were a big hit with the kids and the weather was perfect.

Andrea, Brandon and Dylan all dressed up. 

Life is good today...Life is good today...

That would be me, Donnie, Chris, Brandon, Austin and Dylan on the trampoline out there.  It was a long swim out and an even longer swim back to shore.

Brandon and Dylan finally made their way back after all that fun.

We had lots of fun each day at the pool too!

The kiddie pool was perfect for Colby and Parker.

They could walk around and not fall in!

Each couple got to go out on a date.  When Kristan and Chris went out Andrea and I took all the boys to Chilis.

On mine and Donnie's date night everybody else went to ride go carts, bumper boats...

and the carousal.

More beach fun.

Resting for a little while.

Andrea and Kristan

BUT WAIT...it looks like somebody has fallen asleep AGAIN!

Ut oh...it looks as though Colby Luke caught a little bit of Parker's sleepiness.

You can't go to the beach and NOT bury somebody in the sand.

Having some fun while waiting for another fun restaurant on the beach.

Ready for what??...more seafood of course!

We couldnt' have asked for better weather all week.

The sunset was pretty. 

It must be bad when all your son wants to play with are the beer cans and boxes! 

More fun in the sun.

We wondered before the trip if Parker was going to like the sand.  It really didn't bother him...especially when he had a face plant!

Kristan's beautiful family.

It truly was a wonderful week.  I am so glad all our boys get to spend time together.  They all got a long great.

It was fun for all us girls to be together...and amazingly we all got along!  ha.  I love my mom and sisters very much.

Perhaps the best part about the trip was seeing the beach through Parker's eyes.  I loved being able to spend an entire week with him.  Chris, thanks for taking all the great pictures.  I will forever remember 4 crazy women singing "If You're Happy and Your Know it Clap Your Hands"...just to get a good shot.

;

To my sweet husband, thanks for all the fun memories with Parker on our first family vacation.  Mom, Chris, Kristan, Andrea, Brandon, Austin, Dylan and Colby...this will be a vacation I will never forget.  I love you all.