Since our summer was jammed packed with trips and work for me, we decided to spend the week of Thanksgiving at the beach in Alabama. It was a great trip - the whole family had a blast! Our adventures from Days 1 and 2 are documented in the photos below. I'll be back later this week with days 3 - 6. Enjoy!
We've been counting down to this beach trip. This kid was ECSTATIC!
This one was happy too. He just doesn't like long car rides as much as his brother...
Are we there yet, mama?
RF, E, Nana, and I left about 10AM Georgia time and were fortunate enough not to hit any rough traffic and we only made two stops - one for lunch and one for a bathroom break + a milkshake to tie the boys over for the last 45 minutes of the drive.
This kiddo slept for about an hour and a half while RF watched a movie.
Milkshakes make long car rides more bearable.
Yummy!
We made it to Orange Beach about 4:15 and the boys were super excited to see Meme!
Riding the elevator up to the condo!
Our view from Phoenix East for the next week!
After we unpacked the car, Mrs. Margie and I headed to Walmart to get groceries for the week. We picked up a pizza for dinner and headed back to the condo to unload the groceries and have dinner with the boys and Meme.
Meme brought Santa hats for the boys. RF loved it! He pretended he was Santa and built his sleigh, set up his toy shop, and dubbed Ellis his elf.
"Sit on my lap, little buddy, and tell me what you want for Christmas."
We all headed to bed so that we would be well-rested for some FUN on Tuesday.
I got up early to watch the sunrise, drink coffee, and read a book.
In a RARE turn of events, Ellis woke up super early (before RF) and joined me to watch the sun rise.
So pretty!
RF, Meme, and Nana got up and we had breakfast while enjoying the view of the beach from the balcony.
RF got to see a John Deere tractor on the beach!
We bundled up (it was about 55 degrees + gulf breeze blowing) and headed out for a walk on the beach.
Enjoying the elevator ride DOWN this time...
Morning wildlife enjoying the peace and quiet on the beach (until the Hawk boys arrived, that is).
Brothers headed out to the beach...
First view of the beach!
Meme, Nana, and the boys enjoying the view...
These two boys love their grandmothers and their grandmothers love them...
SHELLS!
Time to collect some shells!
Brothers collecting shells. Ellis wanted to pick up EVERY. SINGLE. SHELL. HE. FOUND.
But, they enjoyed themselves and that's what matters.
A ray (dead) that had washed up on the beach...
The boys thought it was pretty cool and RF wanted to bring it back with us to take to show and tell. #eyeroll
Meme and RF collecting shells...
We found a PERFECT sand dollar...I've never found a completely intact one, but we stumbled across this pretty little one Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, excited little boy fingers broke it before we could get it safely into our bag...
Running and smiling - as happy as can be!
Brothers on the beach!
Mama and her boys...
Another beautiful crane...
As we came back inside Ellis thought it would be hilarious to wash off his feet (shoes) at the outdoor shower...
Enjoying the view and a closer look at all of his shells...
After our walk on the beach, it was time to head to the indoor pool for some swimming time!
EXCITED!
Ellis and Nana enjoyed the hot tub...
Mr. Smiley!
Swimming all over the place!
After our swim in the pool, we went back up to the condo for lunch and a nap (for the boys).
Once the boys were down for nap, I headed out for a walk on the beach...
It was so nice and peaceful to just sit, listen, and think.
These little guys frolicked all over the beach while I walked...
Afternoon view from the balcony!
Once the boys woke up from their nap, we got dressed and headed out to The Wharf to walk around for a little bit.
Of course, Build-A-Bear sucked us in...RF got Marshall from Paw Patrol.
And Ellis got a dinosaur...
Giving Marshall a bath...
"It's a HUGE Christmas tree, mama!"
So much excitement in this kid!
We headed over to the movie theater to watch The Star - it was so cute!
Movie time!
He, like his daddy, LOVES movies!
Enjoying an Icee and popcorn with Meme...
Ellis and Nana enjoying the movie!
Hugging on Marshall during the movie. RF repeated his favorite line from the movie ALL WEEK LONG. "Look with yo eyes!" :-)
Carrying his dinosaur to the car...
We headed back to the condo to have dinner and relax for the evening. Unfortunately, Ellis began exhibiting some symptoms that had mommy, Meme, and Nana all in agreement that we needed to head to the urgent care. Once there, we described his symptoms and were told to head to the ER as the urgent care couldn't perform the tests we needed to have run. After three and a half hours at the ER we were released to go home. All ended up ok, but holding down a three year old for X-rays and to have blood drawn is not fun in any way.
Pitiful little boy in the ER.
More later this week on days three - six of our Thanksgiving vacation (no ER visits, thank goodness)!
