Gulf Shores 2016 (Part 1)

For the third year in a row we have traveled to this beautiful, relaxing little area of Alabama for our family vacation. We can't get enough of this place. In 2014 we took our first trip to Gulf Shores, AL. In 2015 we stayed in Orange Beach, which is minutes from Gulf Shores. You can't really tell the difference as you cross from one beach town to the other one. And this year, we drove a little further out of Gulf Shores to a place called Fort Morgan. All 3 locations have the beautiful white sugar sands and the refreshing ocean. Fort Morgan was probably my least favorite, but only because we like to dine out a few nights for dinner. And this location had us in the car for about 15 minutes to get back into town where the restaurants are located. After a full day of sun, sand and surf, it was not uncommon to pull up to a restaurant, and turn around to find 3 little boys sound asleep. But I really have no complaints. It was another fabulous and relaxing family vacation. Our boys are beach bums. They love to play in the sand and run and back and fort from the waves. It's a week of simple and pure entertainment by just being outside in the elements. Picture overload...

 Leaving our house Thursday evening. We like to split up the drive. It's 11 hours but we can't handle it all at once! Jeremy and I can't handle it. Maybe we could if we left early in the morning, but it never works out that way. The boys are fabulous roadtrippers. They've been going on road trip vacations since they were tiny. And now that two of them can read and we can watch movies in the van, they do really well for long hours on the road.

 Friday we were so excited once we spotted the ocean in Mobile, AL!

 It was around 4pm by the time we got settled into our condo, but the boys couldn't wait another second to put on their swim shorts and go splash in the ocean.

 We walked this boardwalk countless times during the week.

 Family selfie. Seriously...our happy place.

The boys played in the sand and ocean for a bit. Then we threw their clothes back on them to head into town for a quick, late dinner and a stop for groceries and supplies for the week. They sat in the van with Jeremy while I shopped alone. I returned to this scene. Flat worn out from all their travels.

The next morning after breakfast we headed straight out to the beach. The weather was beautiful.

 

 And these three boys had a ball. 

Do you see how the beautiful beach looks empty? Well it wasn't. But there was never much of a crowd. Just a little perk of traveling before summer truly begins.

 

Abe loved going in the ocean but was timid of the powerful waves. So he especially loved Jeremy or I holding him in the water.

A lady found a living starfish so each of the boys got to touch it and then we set it back free into the ocean.

 

 Fun at the pools.

Half of the nights we had simple dinners in the condo, like tacos and carrots. :)  And the other nights we went out for beloved seafood!

That's not all, but that is all for now. More vacation pictures to come...