4th of July

Brian and I took our first trip together as a couple 5 years ago when we went to SanDestin for the 4th of July. We fell in love...with each other and with the wonderful Baytown resort. We loved the convenience, excitement, and activities of this darlin little bayside community. The following year we looked forward to returning and celebrating the 4th again in SanDestin. That year we had something else to celebrate as well....Brain proposed after dinner on the balcony of our condo on July 3rd.

We have been every year since and this year was super special as we had Braxton with us. We were a bit anxious about being away from home for almost a week with a 7 month old but Braxton was great! We went to Jackson first for 2 nights to meet our new little nephew Zeke. He is precious and such a blessing for the Childress family!! So glad we got to see him and can't wait to get back to love on him. He felt so tiny - 6 lbs 9 oz- compared to Braxton's 21 lbs! Our journey from Jackson to the beach was very long- were stuck on Mobile Bay Bridge for over an hour- Braxton was wet and hungry, I was pumping in the backseat, and we all had to pee. We had to stop for dinner before we got to the beach due to our delay so we stopped at Cracker Barel and Braxton loved it. He was fired up since he had been in the car for so long. Think it was his favorite restaurant of the trip.

We had such a wonderful time. Braxton slept late every day so we got some good sleep. He absolutely loved the pool- constantly splashed around and even kicks his feet when on his belly. He did great at the beach. It helped that it wasn't hot or very sunny :). And despite the oil issues the beach was still beautiful (and a bit less crowded). We got to spend some time with some good friends - our next door neighbors Scott and May, and some new friends- one of Braxton's classmates and her parents. We did some shopping and got him some clothes that will hopefully fit better than the tight 9 month clothes we are squeezing him into. And Brian and I even got to carry on our annual tradition - steak dinner w/ a bottle of vino and the best bannanas foster in the world at Segars! We had a sitter for Braxton for a few hours. We were a bit nervous but he was already ready for bed and she was a super nice lady. He did great and we got to enjoy some alone time.

Brian and I always look forward to this trip and I'm so glad that Braxton enjoyed it as much as we do. Look forward to making memories there in the years to come. Maybe we will stay longer next time.....