Cape San Blas

This was our first year visiting Cape San Blas, Florida.  The weather was perfect, the water was clear, and the company was fantastic.  We spent the last week of March with the Calvert's and Ramsey's enjoying spring break.  We had been trying to plan a trip for a long time and we finally found a time and place that worked for everyone.  We rented the last house on the cape and it was beautiful.  It had plenty of room for all of us and was very kid friendly.  We loved the back porch since it was screened in and provided another play area for the 5 crazy kids.  We spent our days on the beach and our nights cooking at the house.  No one was brave enough to venture out for dinner with all the kids.  Also with Clint, John, and Jay cooking every night, I was more than happy to stay in!

Our house.  It really did accommodate our three families.

John Henry enjoyed the beach until he got sick.  Unfortunately he wasn't the only little boy to get sick.  Jack, Hunter, and John Henry all got sick at the beach.  It made for a few rough days/nights.  Luckily John Henry got sick at the end so he was able to enjoy the first part of the week.  Here he is checking out the new beach toys.

Sarah took this picture of Avery and I had to steal it.  Doesn't she look so happy?  All of the kids (except maybe Jack) enjoyed playing in the sand and water.

Hunter and John Henry playing with a bucket of water.  This is the closest the boys came to playing together.  They just aren't at that age yet.  They are still in the age of playing alongside but not together. 

On the opposite side of the playing spectrum was Reese and Avery.  These two were inseparable.  Since they are older and close in age it was perfect.  They had such a fun time together.

I say John Henry liked the beach and he did.  As long as we followed a certain routine.  It started with spending some time just sitting in the beach chairs so he could check everything out.  Once he got more comfortable, he wanted to ride in his car, then play in the sand, then in the water.  Don't skip the order or he may flip out!

We did our best to get family shots.  With the bright sun and crazy kids it was hard to do. 

Jordan, Jack, and John

Hunter, Clint, Avery, and Sarah

 

Our family picture.  Like I said, John Henry had to have his ride in the car...

These boys are getting bigger!

The moms and their babies (minus Jack).  This was towards the end of the trip when JH started feeling bad and going down hill. 

The boys really enjoyed the fact that they could fish all day at the beach.  They would set up in the morning and by the evening we had plenty to eat.  The fish in the picture below was caught on the last day.  The picture is a little misleading so I want to clarify that John caught the fish, Clint is just holding it!

The house had a kayak that we were able to take out.  John Henry really enjoyed it and although the water was cold it was fun to be out in the ocean.

As I said before John Henry enjoyed the water and sand once he became comfortable.  One afternoon while everyone else was still napping it was just the three of us on the beach.  John Henry had the best time running along side the water and waving at the birds.  That afternoon he had no fear.

So it may sound a little silly that we took JH's car to the beach but it was a life saver.  He loved it and so did the other kids.  He would just sit in it and stare at the ocean.  That car is worth every penny I paid for it and then some.

Mommy and John Henry

Daddy and JH.  This was taken on the last day when he was not feeling well.  I felt so bad for him.

Before we went on the trip I bought college t-shirts for the boys.  Each boy sported his dad's alma matter.  In theory it was a good idea.  In practice it was a nightmare.  John Henry was sick and upset which is why you see my hand holding him down for the picture.  This is the closest we came to getting all their faces in a picture together.

What we should have done was let them stand next to the car first.  Hard to get everyone looking but at least no one is crying!

Pretty girls.  They are so similar it's scary.

Our last attempt at a family shot.  It is what it is.

Apart from the sickness we had a great time.  I can't wait until the kids are older and a little more independent.  It's a lot to take young kids to the beach.  It's fun but it's not a vacation.  I would call it more of a relocation.  It would also be nice to not be pregnant at the beach.  Maybe our next trip will be after I'm pregnant and without kids.