Best. Family Trip. Ever.

The last weekend in September...in between both our birthdays...we went to Sandestin for one last 2008 hurrah. It was the best trip we have taken as a little family. There will probably be 3 posts just on this trip! We were only there a Thursday - Sunday, but this trip was just the way we like it. We went to the pool, the beach, took naps when we wanted, went out to eat, took morning walks, played basketball, went to the Village every night, dressed up Miriam every chance we (I) had, slept late (for us)...it was just so perfect.

It's getting easier to travel with Miriam because she talks so much...she can tell us what she needs/wants without much drama. She eats what we eat and naps when we nap :) Paul got this GREAT condo through a co-worker and we are going back. RIGHT on the beach in Sandestin, on the 2nd floor, same floor as the pier walk to the beach. We arrived early on Thursday, before lunch, and ate yummy seafood at Pompano Joe's. Miriam was so ready for the beach...sang songs for weeks, "We're going to the BEACH."..imagine to the tune of "Farmer and the Dell(sp)" We decided to wait one day on the beach and went to the pool instead that first day. She LOVED it. That evening we went across the way to the Village where she PLAYED and PLAYED on the playground. She can't get enough of playgrounds. The next morning we ate at yummy Broken Egg Cafe where Miriam was slightly difficult. Paul and I basically ate alone while the other one walked around with her. Afterward we took her Jolee Island, this really fun island on the Bayside of Sandestin with another playground, a tree house (which I told her was a secret princess house to get her to run to it...pretty adorable how she all ready loves princesses).
Afterwards it was all beach. More on that later.
There was a band every night at the Village that catered to kids...allowed them to play along with little instruments and sing in the microphone. Really sweet. There was also a kid's treasure chest with money, tips, for the band in it. Miriam guarded that with her life. Thought it was her money or something? That chest wasn't going anywhere. We tried to go biking one morning and at first all was going well. Miriam was chanting, "Bicycle, Puh-leeze" We couldn't get over to the rental place fast enough. Paul and her were off and she was yelling, "Whee. So fun, Daddy." I, on the other hand, hated my bike, but didn't want to go back b/c we only had an hour. It was so nerve wracking on this crappy bike that I couldn't get the seat to stabilize and I guess that projected on her. Less than 5 minutes into the ride, she was crying, "No Daddy. No bike. No More. No like Bike Daddy. No like." We didn't want to scar her, so we went on back and told her we would try another time.

Other than the bike, she really had a good time. To this day, she can recognize beach scenes with umbrellas or waves. Paul and I got to really relax and enjoy our little family. We really took time to be grateful for how nice our lives are and how lucky we are to have Miriam!