goodnight, naples. i will miss you.

the last night. i can't believe it's over. back to reality. boo. anyway. the sunset tonight was amazing. i love how the good people of naples, florida gather each night to see the sunset. it's a regular activity. chardy and i forgot about the whole time change thing and almost missed the sunset. by the time we got there the sky was pink and fabulous and we asked this adorable couple to take pictures of us and they asked us to take pictures of them. been together 41 years. they were the sweetest.

we've already decided that our family reunion next year needs to be at vanderbilt beach. it's just so great. bungalows, private pool, beach access, and of course, a sunset viewing deck. can't wait. bye-bye naples - see you soon! chardy - i couldn't ask for a better big sis.

day three. i am in heaven.

today we got up, lazed around for a while, and then headed out to the fabulousness that is sanibel island. our first stop was the amazing key lime bistro on captiva island, where we had the most fantastic brunch of my life so far. crab cakes benedict and mimosas. wow is all i can say. then off to the beach to pick up shells and walk and talk. great sister time. can't believe my time is almost through. i miss my boy so much and can't wait to bring him back here soon.

beach time

Ahhhhhh.

mimosas and crab cakes benedict

At key lime bistro in captiva. Now on to sanibel island for some beach time.

picnic at sunset

here i am in naples, florida and my sis swept me straight from the airport to the beach for a sunset picnic. i think the pictures speak for themselves.

I'm here

Picnic on the beach. Sis knows how to roll out the welcome wagon. Sushi and wine at sunset. Wish you were here!

beach day

today we are playing with sand we brought back from the beach ... while hubz works on the deck. happy hot fourth!

Family Vacation

It was a good thing we left a day early for our trip to Destin, Fla., since rain came in on Wednesday. Still, we were able to enjoy Sunday afternoon, all of Monday and all of Tuesday on the beach before the storms arrived.

Just enough time to get a little tan and get our fill of sun and fun. Jack Henry was insanely happy the entire time, which was awesome to see. We had to re-instate the mandatory nap rule or he would have gone all day and worn himself completely out. His favorite thing was running into the waves and then running back out again.

We also pulled him around in a boat, which he loved, though he was a little scared at times. He also liked sitting on the steps of the pool (no jumping in) and pretending to swim by paddling his feet.

We mostly ate low budget meals (Chik-Fil-a, Lenny's Subs, Merlin's Pizza) but did splurge one night at the Back Porch where we had crabcakes, grouper and tuna.

This trip was so different than last September, when it was just Hubz and me. (My parents kept the boy). This time we focused on the boy's happiness, which wasn't difficult since he was thrilled out of his mind to be on the beach. Hubz enjoyed it too - he was completely manic about building the perfect sandcastle. Though there were no cupcake places to visit (not that I could find, anyway), I had a tremendous time, especially at the pool. Chilling out with a People Magazine does it for me, y'all.

This time no side trips to the outlet mall (Oh, Coach Store, I know you will be waiting for me next time!) or tasty gourmet restaurants like Wild Olives in Rosemary Beach. But that didn't matter, since this was kind of our first real family vacation and that made it special.

After we packed up on Wednesday we took a detour to Mobile, Ala., where we toured the USS Alabama Battleship. It has special significance for Hubz as his great uncle Rupert served on that ship during World War II.

We hope to return in September if my mom and dad can watch the boy again. Before then, we have a trip to my parents' house in Central Illinois, so be watching for posts on that later this month.

It's vacay season, folks, so get out there. Don't let the economy get you down. The beach is just the thing to cure what ails ya.

day 1

There it is ... The beach near the Back Porch. The boy was pretty excited to see the slide and playground until he saw the actual beach. He has been hysterical with joy since! He adores the waves and sand.

on our way

We went to our friends' rummage sale and got some awesome deals on toys. Then had yummy treats at Red Tree Coffee. We were too excited to wait so got packed and are now headed for the beach. Well, montgomery alabama, at least. That's about half way. Weeeee!

A different kind of back porch

While Hubz is building me a new back porch, I'm dreaming about our favorite beachside restaurant, the Back Porch in Destin, Fla. We'll be there in a little over a week. It's conveniently located near our hotel, and the boy is going to love those slides. Me - I like the crabcakes.

Destin, Fla. Countdown

We are going on our beach vacation in less than two weeks Hurray! This time I promise not to wear this hat.

Back to work

NOTE: SCROLL DOWN TO READ ABOUT OUR VACA FROM THE START.
I'm back to work and Jack Henry is at daycare, surrounded by his friends and loving teachers. It was a big adjustment for him to say good bye to my parents this morning. He didn't want them to go and kept telling me how sad he was and how he would miss them. Big concepts for such a little guy. In case I haven't mentioned it before, I really think he might be gifted. He seems so advanced in so many ways. I know, I know, all parents think their children are gifted. But just give me this one, OK? What's amazing to me is that he spent five days with Granny and didn't miss me a bit. I'm going to have to start calling her "Super Granny" because she really does know how to entertain a child and have fun while doing it. Games, puzzles, stories, trips to the park. I swear no trip to Disney Land could ever top the week he's had. And our time on the beach was a wonderful break. Now back to reality.

takin' the tollway

They closed the Destin bridge due to the raging waves, so we're coming home a different way. Hurricane Ike isn't going to hit anywhere near here, but it's sure causing some chaos.

Destin at sunset

gorgeous.

Tasty!

Shrimp salad on a toasted fresh-baked hoagie at Wild Olives (at Rosemary Beach). Fabulous!

Wild Olives

Lunch at Wild Olives cafe and market at nearby Rosemary Beach. I fell in love with this place when we visited in January.

Storm surge

Here we are at lovely Seaside. The storm surge has kicked up enormous waves. By this afternoon the beach will be flooded so we are enjoying our last few hours of our vacation playing in the waves. The rain is supposed to roll in this afternoon. Guess it's time to think about going home.

beach time

Ahhhh.

Car bloggin'

Beach, here we come! Just seven and half hours to go!