We set off for Destin, Florida last week!  Our Saturday morning started a little before six when Macie hopped in bed with us "ready to go to the beach."  We got to the airport with time to spare and lots of questions asked.  Macie just knew Finley was going to be at the airport.  She didn't understand that he was flying on a different plane and that it would take a couple of hours to get to Floria.  Both Macie and Weston did great on their very first plane ride and actually both slept most of the time.  I was thankful for that. Before we took off Macie said as we taxied to the runway that we were driving.  While in the air she said, "This is where heaven is.  I can't see Jesus."  I reminded her that we had to have faith that he was there.  She loved looking at the clouds.  I thought she would be fearful taking off and landing but she actually loved it; however, I was get a little nervous and feel so unsettled.  I give Sheldon and his family a big "WOW" on flying from Germany with three boys.  It is not easy flying with little ones.

We had a wonderful week with Chris, Amy, Finley, and Kylan.  Once we got to our condo at the Dunes of Crystal Beach I heard squeals of delight and Macie shout "Finley" as she ran to him.  Our first night there we just settled in and ate dinner.  Sunday it rained which was relaxing and a fun way to start Mother's Day off.  The kids just played and we were able to visit.  Once the sun was out, we were off to the beach.  Our vacation followed the same pattern pretty much each day. Each day we went to the beach in the morning, then to the pool, had lunch, went back to the beach, put the kids down for naps, had dinner and went to bed fairly late.  At the beginning of the week I thought we have a whole week here and then it seemed in a blink the week of family, fun, and the beach came to an end.  We loved our time together! I loved watching the kids enjoy the water and the sand.  I loved playing with them.  I loved watching Macie become braver each day in the ocean.  I LOVED it all!

 This is one of my favorite pictures.  I actually got up to do something and grabbed my camera when I saw that Macie was sitting by Weston.  When I went back over there she said, "I was just taking care of my brother."  She was making sure the waves didn't get him.

 We love the beach!  Thanks to Amy for taking our family picture.

 I love this picture too.  I especially love the food on Macie's face.  I don't seem to do a good enough job keeping my kids' faces clean.  Macie and Finley are great cousins/friends.  They really enjoyed their week together!

 Lots and lots of questions (why) were asked as we waited for our plane to arrive.  Macie was very curious to see how it all worked.

 One thing I love about Zack is that he plays with Macie and Weston.  They had so much fun!

 Sand from his head to his toes...

 Kylan was playing PEEK-a-BOO with Weston.  They both loved it.

 Two years ago these two daddies were holding their first borns as they walked into the waves.  It was so sweet then and just as sweet now.

 SNACK and MOVIE TIME...with big carrots!  The big carrots were a huge success.

 LOVE

 Two of the nights we were there we had date nights. Chris and Amy went out and then Zack and I went out.  I remember when we did this on the last trip we both stayed out a little later.  We have aged or something because neither couple stayed out as long.  Zack and I went to dinner at Cantina Laredo and then went to a few shops.  We enjoyed our time together.

 Macie and Finely jumped over the waves.  We would say, "They waves don't get us...we get the waves."  We would run back and forth over and over and over.  The hero game never got old.

 Macie and Finley decided to be silly.  They were putting everything on they saw Macie has on Weston's swim diaper (baby size small) and Finley had on Kylan's pants.

 Buried in the sand

 Zack made sand chairs for the kids to sit in. He also made some stamps to climb up and a slide for Weston to slide down.  SUCCESS!  The kids loved them.

 Daddy buried in the sand.

 I have a feeling these two couins are going to have a lot of fun as they grow.

 Sand Angel

 One morning around 7 Macie and I went out on the balcony and painted our toenails before the others got up and around.  I love that we match.  I think this is another one of my favorites because we are "just being girls."   I look at it and think she does so much to be like me (things she says, puts on my heels, and so on)!  It is a huge responsibility to be her mother (and Weston's too).  I dream so big for her.  My actions and words mold her in to who she is and will become.  I love every single minute of being her mommy.  Someday when she is older I hope she sees me as her mom and her best friend like I do my mom. 

 Daddy and Macie flying the kite...it is in the far left hand corner.

 While the Amy, Chris, and the kids napped in the afternoon, Zack and I would spend about 45 minutes at the beach.  I loved getting to spend time relaxing and just talking about the kids and whatever else came up.

 We dug a really deep hole that Macie could fit over half her body in.

Sweet little Kylan loved cuddling with his momma.  He wasn't a big sand fan but he did enjoy it the first day.