Vacation 2013

Vacations are wonderful things that sometimes elude us, but when we do get that wonderful opportunity to take a really long road trip to somewhere besides where we live, they are pure bliss. That's what our Vacation was for us. We packed our boys and bunch of stuff and then some more stuff and headed south to Treasure Island, Florida for seven days of sand, sea, and doing a bunch of nothing.
The weather was great (no surprise, right) and we soaked up every drop of sunshine we could.

To say John Owen loved the beach is an understatement. He spent a lot of time in the sand, near the edge of the water, and watching for sharks. He was our official shark look-out person. I contribute this obsession with sharks to Finding Nemo and Soul Surfer. (Yes, he has seen parts of Soul Surfer. I will never win a Mother of the Year award.)

James. Oh, sweet baby James. His response to the beach was as opposite of John Owen's as any response could possibly be. He did warm up to it eventually, and by warm up to it, I only mean a lukewarm feeling, tepid if you will.

This was James for quite some time the first morning on the beach. Bless his sweet little overwhelmed heart. 

This expression pretty much sums up James' feelings about the beach. He did manage to walk around and push some sand around. A few smiles were seen and laughs heard our last day on the beach. Small steps baby, small steps. He loved the condo though.

This is one of my favorite pictures from our vacation. I love John Owen's expression and the fact that James has made it all the way to the edge of the water. He's conquering those fears.

Now life is back to "normal".  I'm so very thankful for vacation and time away from regular life. Aren't you?