August– Destin, FL

OK, so I am now only like a month behind. Hah.

The first week of August we went to Destin, FL. I tried to blog while were there but the pictures didn’t upload right, so this is a do-over.

First off – I had posted before about not being sure about the new Becoming Apparel bathing suit. I ordered it and it turns out that I really love it.  It is so comfy and so modest, in fact it is so modest that I will actually post a picture of it on here -

It was especially great for the beach, the design makes it so that sand does not get into places where sand should not be!

Of course we spent many days at the beach.

The rental house had a play room – so the kids had a great time playing up there, watching movies and playing Wii

 

We spent one evening at a place called Baytown Wharf, it is a resort on the bay with restaurants, and little shops and midway type games and activities for families.

Our whole gang had dinner out on the deck

The boys enjoyed climbing a rope’s course

The kids rode inside these inflated balls, you get in, the inflate it (with a leaf blower), zip it up and then roll you into a pool of water where you roll around and crash into each other. It was really fun to watch.

(My camera doesn’t do far away & at night shots very well)

Random lovely beach pictures

The kids were very excited to have gelato one day. There is an Olivia book where she goes to Italy and eats gelato, so they were excited to try it!

The other kids that were with us… Finley (4), Beckett (18 months) and Ramsey (7)

Bella on her actual 4 year birthday – we had been to the ER the night before because she had cellulitis in her eye, so we were not able to have the big ice cream party we had planned. Instead, she ended up blowing out her candle on waffles that morning. (poor baby!)

 

On the way home to Texas the next day we stopped at Beauvoir in Biloxi, Mississippi.  Will’s grandfather was a leader in an organization that helps support and run this former home of Thomas Jefferson.  At one time there was a bench with a plaque commemorating his efforts.  Unfortunately it was lost in the hurricane.  It was sobering to see and learn about the effects of the hurricane on this area of our country.  Much of the Biloxi area has not been rebuild at all.  At Beauvoir the presidential museum, a  brand new modern build steel beam building was completely collapsed, but the old wooden house still stands despite 23 foot storm surges – simply amazing. 

Front of the house (grumpy Bella with Mr. Pettibone)

View of the back of the home

Will and I on the front steps

View from the side. The grounds have not been restored very much after the storm, at one time it was park-like with walkways and gardens connecting the historic home and the presidential museum.  The  outbuildings were destroyed, they are all reproductions now.

This is the presidential museum that was completely lost that is now being rebuilt.

It was good to be able to take the kids to a place that Will remembers visiting when he was a young kid.  I think I had taken it for granted that after the storm things would have been rebuilt by now.  I wasn’t prepared to see so many damaged homes and miles of beachfront where you could see nothing but the foundations of the businesses, hotels and homes that used to be there.  I am thankful that this historical place made it through and is still standing for future generations.