Paradise Found

2 years is too long to wait to go back to Cape San Blas. We found this hidden treasure on the Gulf Coast about 8 years ago and returned every summer until last year. With the move to Ohio and the CAT facility just opening, we thought it would be impossible to get away so we had to wait another year and we made a pact to do everything in our power to get there. 

Most years we invited extended family to join us on our beach vacation, but this year we decided with all the busyness over the past two years we needed some family rejuvenation time and that is exactly what we got. God knew exactly what we needed and provided every step to make it happen.  


We left Ohio on Friday and made a stop to stay the night in Griffin. Kevin's cousin, Paula, and her family were in town from Tampa for a few days so it was nice to get to hang out with them. That night was so full of laughs. 

Jordan and Kaleb dancing

We woke up Saturday morning and after having breakfast at Truett's and making a quick stop at the Riggs' we headed for our PARADISE! 

Kevin and Truett catching up

Brandon, Truett, and Kaleb

Kaleb trying to borrow Bravo for vacation

I am not a good passenger and because I was so excited to get to the Cape, I drove the entire way. We wasted no time getting down to the beach and getting our area staked out for the week.

Did someone miss the sand?

Love that sweet smile

Toes in the sand

That is excitement

There are no words for this creation

When we go to the Cape, we stock up on food so we can spend as much time at the beach. We do plan a few meals out for special occasions as well as spending a day in Panama City. It's nice to be about an hour from "stuff" for Kaleb to do but be able to stay in a quiet beach area. 

We stayed on the beach for 6 hours our first full day there. That is unheard of for us but we made it a habit for the rest of the week to stay at least that long. The Gulf beaches are beautiful and well worth the time to get there.

His head is covered in sand

Come on dad....don't be scared

He fell asleep he was so tired

Monday we spent more time at the beach and decided we would go to one of our favorite places to eat dinner that night and go fishing. Dockside Cafe overlooks the bay and a lot of beautiful boats.  

They look so much alike

Gotta start somewhere

Taking a break from fishing

Will he catch a big one?

Found someone to fish with

Kaleb finally lost his 2nd tooth today too! You would have thought this was his first the way he wouldn't let us near his mouth. Glad this one is finally out.

FINALLY!

On Tuesday, we made a trip into Panama City for Kaleb to do something different. All he had been talking about was playing mini-golf and riding go-karts so off we went. We played golf first and he played very well. If one of us would have gotten a hole-in-one on the last hole, we could have won $50. I don't think anyone has every gotten a hole-in-one on that hole. It was horrible with all the obstacles you could think of in the way. We then made our way to Panama Dunes to ride the dune buggies. I got chosen to ride with Kaleb through the mud...I was not dressed for this as I did not think I would be driving. I was wearing a skirt! Although I will say, I had a blast and was covered in mud when all was said and done. Kaleb's favorite part was when I drove fast over the hills and went a little airborne! He said, "Mom you caught air on that one!" 

Getting ready to ride

We are ready to ride although I look scared. Kaleb is reassuring me.

Now he looks serious

Turning the corner

While in PCB, we decided to catch the latest Spiderman movie. We saw it in IMAX and 3-D. That was AMAZING!!

The AMAZING Spiderman

Happy birthday Kevin!! We love spending Kevin's birthday at the Cape and there is always fireworks! The boys chose to play golf and I had birthday shopping to do, but both of those activities got cut short due to a storm. The boys were able to finish their golf outing the next day. Kaleb has decided he wants to learn to play golf and Kevin has given in to playing golf more often. I know...poor Kevin!

Making birthday breakfast

Giving daddy presents

True bulldog fan

Kevin can take UGA to the beach now

Hurry daddy....let's go!

Off they go!

We celebrated Kevin's birthday that evening at Sunset Coastal Grill in Port St. Joe. It is one of our favorite places to visit while we are in town. The view is amazing and watching the sun set over the bay is so breathtaking. And of course we have to take pictures by the bay afterwards to remember our evening. 

 On our way back to the house after dinner, we stopped at the retaining wall along the ocean and took some pictures and stopped at the light house. We had never stopped at either one. The ocean touches the back side of these huge rocks. It is beautiful!

What a ham!

behind the retaining wall of rocks

He was 6 months the first time we took him to the Cape. Wow how time flies

The rest of the week we spent on the beach. Kaleb met some other kids to play with and he had a blast. He spent his time on his board riding the waves, playing with monster trucks in the sand, and swimming with us in the ocean. Our family needed this time together and had a blast!

He loved to snorkel although he never found anything

friends to build a sandcastle

Hot Wheels are always close by

Time for a break

Writing his name in the sand

Nite nite

Our view

View

Ladder ball

He got good at ladder ball as the week went on

Looking for China

The saying of all good things have to come to end is true at the beach too. We got up Saturday morning and made our way to Alabama to spend the night at my parents' house. Erin, one of my closest friends growing up, had a baby several months ago and she came over with her girls Maggie and Emory. Maggie jumped right in to playing with Kaleb and helping prepare dinner while Emory and I tried to bond while I caught up with Erin. Emory was fine for a bit with me (which was shocking because she LOVES her mama). Of course when I take a picture of the 2 of us, she decides that when she wants to start crying. I promise she was happy with me for at least 15 minutes! It was good to catch up with Erin in person and not just through text and phone. 

I promise she was happy before this!

Mom LOVES any excuse to cook a big dinner and that is exactly what she did that night. Kaleb had a great time learning how to shell peas. He even tried a bite of them at dinner. Needless to say they were not his favorite but he did try them. We also celebrated Kevin's birthday again. Any chance to enjoy a cake made by Nicole is great with me. 

Nannie, Maggie, & Kaleb shelling peas

Learning to shell peas

I think he was happy for cake too!

Sunday morning we got up and started the remaining drive home. Even after being at the beach for a week, it was nice knowing we were headed home. Kevin was determined to take the wheel for the day and I was going to read. The drive was smooth until we got to Kentucky and the traffic was horrible but we finally made it home that evening safe and sound. 

Hello Ohio....just an hour to go!

Doesn't this defeat the purpose of driving a Prius?

God definitely blessed us over this week at the Cape. He knew we needed some rest and relaxation as a family and that is exactly what we got and even got to visit with extended family as well. We are ready for another week at the Cape and know it will happen when it's time. 

We'll be back

Ami for the fam