We are getting back in the groove of normal life after coming back from our trip to Orange Beach, AL.  I’m gonna start by saying, I’m pretty sure I could go to the beach like 3 times a year!  It’s so sad when we have to leave!!  AAAAaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!  I hate it!!  We haven’t been to the beach in TWO YEARS!  My beach chair had DUST on it!  I need not let this happen again…  I was a tad bit nervous about traveling with our little Moonpie.  He did great though..of course:)  The drive there from our house isn’t all that bad.  We left out super early so we could beat the co-razy traffic and the kiddos can sleep a little.  Did our plan backfire this time…possibly but that’s okay:)

Besides the normal things that keep our older kids happy like tablets and of course their ds, I like to bring along an audio book or two for a long drive.  Since we were going to the beach, I packed The Cay – By Theodore Taylor and Island Of The Blue Dolphins – By Scott O’Dell.  What would get you even more excited about the ocean?  Listening to books that involve the ocean, that’s what:)  Wherever we are going, I try and pick up an audio that goes along with the theme of the trip.  And by “pick up” I really mean, check out.  Oh my gosh!  Go to your local library and get them for free!  (stepping off soapbox now)  By the time we listened to one book, made a couple of pit stops and changed a couple of diapers it was time to be sightseers for the first time.

USS Alabama – Mobile, AL

We made our first real stop at the USS Alabama in Mobile, AL.  I’m pretty sure my husband would spend our entire trip in the ship if he could. Crawling down in the belly and all over the top of the ship is a favorite activity.  Plus, it gives us all a chance to get out for a couple of hours and stretch our legs.

Once we got back on the road, it was a short drive made longer with all of the other beach crazed folks flocking to the coast.  After navigating traffic, picking up awesome Papa Rocco’s Pizza for dinner and applying the brakes more than the gas, we made it to our condo.  This year, we stayed at The Enclave.  It was a perfect small condominium (only 10 stories) that didn’t have a lot of bells and whistles but we didn’t go for that anyway.  All we needed were enough beds for our party and a pool for those who are not ocean water inclined.  Voila!  After unloading the van and making a quick trip down to the beach, the gals and I made a mad dash to get groceries before we were left eating chip sandwiches and buttermilk.  Day 1 was in the books.

Blue Angels Air Show – June 10, 2015

Our week long trip went by in a blur of events.  We went to the National Navel Aviation Museum…twice…  We wanted to see the Blue Angels and it rained their first practice out.  We went through the museum and then decided to head out to Pensacola Beach.  We had never been there and let me tell ya, it is beautiful!  If you have a fear of bridges, you may want to skip this excursion though:)  EEK!  Also, just because dolphins are painted on huge holding tanks, it doesn’t necessarily mean there are any inside.  Way to fool a country girl, Pensacola Beach Water Department!  Anyway, after taking our little mini trip we went back the next day to the museum to see the Blue Angels and they were great!  They always put on an awesome show!

National Naval Aviation Museum – Pensacola, FL

Fort Morgan, AL

Fort Morgan, AL is another place we had never been to.  We made the trip to avoid rain in our area and I’m so glad we did.  It was sunny and beautiful at the fort.  Such a cool place with perfect picture opportunities!  Everyone loved exploring all over the fort and I loved taking pictures of it all.  For sure a place we could visit again.  A place we won’t visit again…Mexico Lindo’s in Orange Beach.  Don’t go there…just don’t.

Fort Morgan, AL

One of my most favorite things we did was go to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.  It was a little on the small side but you got to get up close and personal with all of the animals.  I got to hold a baby kangaroo!  It just snuggled down and licked my finger:)  AWE!  Our daughter, being the tomboy that she is, wanted to hold the python and alligator.  I just shook my head.  That girl!  Perfect photo op!

Our last night we had photos on the beach!  Who doesn’t love that?!  My husband, that’s who…  Getting everyone together for a family picture is always a struggle for us.  In order for everyone to remain happy for our beach picture, this time I let the outfit choice be my husband’s decision.  What was his pick you ask?  Razorback shirts and jean shorts.  Turns out, taking pictures on the beach of a rival team whilst wearing Razorback attire wasn’t a problem at all.  I thought we’d get heckled but I’m pretty sure that the majority of folks on vacation were from Arkansas.  In fact, I got my id checked at the Aviation Museum and was asked if there was anyone left in Arkansas because he thought they were all at the Museum that day.  Disaster diverted:)  Could I stop there and just be happy with the pictures we had? NO! Why? Because, isn’t it my job to torture them?  They were troopers though and I appreciate that!

After eating at one of our favorite places, Live Bait, we went back to the condo and played “The Great Refrigerator Clean-out”  Not really a fun game.  Actually, it was kinda depressing.  Time to pack everyone up and pray everything fits in the van.  Boooooooo  Hiiiiissssssss!!!!

Everyone had a great time and I for one can’t wait to pack up and do it all again.  Where to next time….we shall have to wait and see:)

Remember!  Travel light…because you never know what you’ll need to haul home from a junk shop:)