Life at the Beach

Thanks to Ms. Kathy, for the second year in a row, we've been able to come down to St. George with family and enjoy her fabulous place literally right on the beach.  You cant beat having the ocean at your backdoor and a pool 20 feet from your front door. It is Caroline's version of perfection.
How do you spend 7 days at St. George Island?
- Beach, beach, beach
- Swimming at the pool
- Daily walks
- Star gazing
- Doing the seashell scoop
- Shopping in Apalachicola
- Cooking -- Shrimp boils, grouper grill outs, red fish tacos
- Reading and coloring
- Enjoying sunset summer wine spritzers
- Ghost crab hunting
- Kayaking and anything water related you can imagine
We spent some time visiting the historic city of Apalachicola.One shouldnt leave the city without a visit to the favorite Grady Market, lunch at Tamaras and final stop at 13 Mile for the freshest seafood around. Caroline picked out this watermelon hat as her "purchase of the trip."

 Tucker is at the age where he prefers getting around on his own -- either crawling or walking.

 By 8 a.m. we've had a visit to the beach {you dont want to know how early these kids wake up each morning, they must be part rooster}. We pretty much have miles of beach to ourselves -- at least until about 9ish each day. 

Lots of playing at the beach. Building sand castles, bridges, dams to keep the tidal pools from flowing out to the ocean.

Our little actor

Caroline participated in the "Princes & Princesses" Young Actors Theatre Camp this week and had her first performance on Friday.  She definitely had a moment where she did her own self-designed monologue {I dont think her teachers knew about this in advance}, where later she explained to us that she was "building a castle" in a voice that conveyed didnt you know that was what I was doing. Due to managing Tucker's wiggling body, the pictures were far from picture frame worthy, but here is one. Amazingly, my dad captured some great videos, but I dont know how to share them. Thank you to the IPhone.

Mommy and T-Time

Cory and Caroline were able to celebrate some daddy and daughter time, while Tucker and I headed to the beach for 3 days for a little rest and relaxation at Seacreast Beach with some of my fabulous girlfriends. As a bonus, we got to there for Mack's first official Beach Trip. The boys were literally rolling in the sand. They were having so much fun. Too cute! Tucker loves, loves, loves Rosemary's grass. If only we could get our lawn to look like this.

 Playing together.

 Tucker and I went for an early morning bike ride to check the status of the Doughnut Man {for any of you that have vacationed with me you know he is my f-a-v-o-r-i-t-e}, and we ended up exploring the trails of Alys Beach. There is something slightly magical that makes it seem slightly surreal back in there. Here is a picture of my bicycle among the olive trees. Really, are in we Florida or Greece?

 We had to fit in lots of pool time. T isnt happy becuase he wasnted me to swim with him. He wasnt in the mood for photographs. Fellow pool goers were like flies hovering around our chairs in the shade. Vacation Pool Lesson #1: Get there early so you can get the best chair. Upon leaving for the day, we ended up giving our prime "real estate" to a super sweet mom with two lovely girls that we had talked with earlier.

 A few pics from our early morning bike ride adventures. Taking a break at the playground at the Fonville Press in Alys Beach.

 Off we go to the next adventure.

A first time for Angie

Sweet Angie and Andrew came over for the weekend to visit and enjoy some time on the water.  I'm a little bit nuts for scallops so the Couch crew was super excited to be part of Angie's first scalloping venture.  Alarm clocks went off at 6:30 a.m. and we were off. Andrew was the scallop master securing about 3 gallons on his own. Scallop and chive omelets are our new favorite.

10 Little Fingers & 10 Little Toes

The first pedicure. Caroline is blessed to have her sweet friend Quncy Jane, and we are blessed to be dear friend's with Qunicy Jane's parents. A fabulous time was had when they packed up their crew and head down to good ol' Tally for a little vacay.

Rain literally put a damper on our scalloping plans, but not to be deterred by gray clouds, Laura and I jumped feet first into Plan B: Getting 1st Pedicures for our little ladies. A spilled bright P-I-N-K bottle of polish, lots of giggles, pink juice and polka dot toes later we left with smiles plastered to our faces and whispers reminding them that this was a "special treat."

Always a good direction follower, C hardly moved a mussle while she was painting.

A Happy Saturday

Its always a blast visiting the Couch family down at the beach. This picture of Tucker pretty much sums it up of how much fun we had. He was filled with laughter and squeals of delight. It makes me smile thinking about it.

 Every day was picture perfect. We are so blessed. Caroline's Uncle Eddie taught her to search for sand dollars.

Lions and Tigers and Bears. Oh My!

We had a great outting at the Naples Zoo. http://www.napleszoo.com/. For the best deal out there in South Florida, for only $5.00 you get up close and personal with the giraffe and can feed them. C really enjoyed herself. When the giraffe's breath is blowing your hair, you know you are close, really close.

And we fed the birds...

 And we fed the fish and turtles...

And as C said, she "tamed a Turtle." We didnt know Turtles needed taming.

There were too many beautiful plants to photograph, but this one looked like a bird perched on Uncle Eddie's head. This is as close as Uncle Eddie will ever get to wearing a fascinator.  

 Little T had enough of the heat and animals so it was finally time to say goodbye.

 But as always the little man enjoyed exploring. Not one to hang out in the stroller. He was always off and exploring the "jungle" off the sidewalk.

Another great day in paradise.

Hoppin' Homosassa

Over Memorial Day we had a hoppin' good time down in Homosassa. My favorite is the fact that one minute you are snorkeling with manatees and 45 minutes later you are out in the gulf of Mexico.

The little gentlemen shared secrets of their future escapades as Captains of the Boat.

 Classic Florida.

 I cant imagine living in any other state except Florida.

 Our wonderful friends.

Another day on the water.