Destin Diary Day 6

Day six was a great day!

We woke up early, walked to the cafe, and headed to Pirate training! We boarded a real pirate ship and the training started...don't the boys look thrilled?


Henley WAS NOT into training to be a pirate princess. She supervised from my hip for most of our two hours tour...thanks goodness it was 300% humidity!


After training on chants, what to do if someone falls over board (Owen was especially concerned about this. He kept asking what do we yell? "Man Overboard!" I think he was concerned this might become an issue), a water gun fight, mopping the deck...we got tattoos and our faces painted.


They are the cutest pirates I have ever seen! Todd and I had so much fun watching Owen follow the pirates directions. He follows to the exact word. His attention to detail is amazing. Brody puts his own spin on the requests and only does what he feels necessary.


We found treasure!


Look who joined the fun! Once treasure was pulled aboard, Henley was right in the mix getting her share of the loot...she is so different from her brothers! Is it age? Gender? Birth order? Her sweet stubborn yet precious personality?








Next up...Lunch! Yummmmm! Todd and I ordered this exact meal last year. Needless to say everyone was jealous, so this year we got two buckets for the table (it was our lunch & dinner) and it did not disappoint


My pirates waiting to fill their bellies!


We headed home and hit the beach. Brody ran and played in Brody-land for hours. I think he defeated every pirate ship he encountered on that beach with his amazing imagination. I love to watch him play, I just wish I knew what all crazy adventures he was going on! Sweet Brody!


Henley with her daily struggle...SAND! Sister, we are on the beach, there is sand, on EVERYTHING! We did pass a milestone today, she has finally reached the point to walk herself down to the water and rinse whatever needs to be cleaned.


Did you get every crumb, Owen?


Our island was still intact from yesterday. The kids played and jumped over the trenches and laid out plans for tomorrow's castle. Tonight we had a leftovers buffet in the condo. The highlight of my evening was listening to Great Ma & Great Pa tell us about how they met and got married. What a wonderful memory! She met him on her first day of work, which happened to be the day he gave his 2 weeks notice...imagine if she started two weeks later????

Destin Diary Day 4

This morning Henley & I went downstairs with Dad to set up our tent. I actually help. Henley just supervised.


Then we walk down the street a bit and grabbed some breakfast drinks


I worked my tush off today. Owen insisted on demolishing any sand castle I built today. After Dad, Henley, Owen and I (Brody napped ALL morning) walked down the beach, I vowed to build a killer sand castle. Luckily Owen took a rest and with the help of others, we constructed this


The men (dad & great pa) dug a trench to the ocean


Sister actually fell asleep eating Oreos. Drool and all, we left her (she was grumpy today). Dinner was served in our condo tonight. BBQ Chipotle brisket, orzo salad, corn on the cob with banana pudding & summer beer. We ended our night with a crab hut! Good night!

Destin Diary Day Three

What a sun shining beautiful day we had today!

The sun was out in full force today and we were ready for it!


Everyone found their shades and headed to the beach nice and early. Grammies and I went to the store nice and early so we could get back and enjoy the gorgeous day!


Look what we grabbed at the store. I thought it was a boogie board, but these two had other plans for it. First we tried this out on the tile in the condo...needless to say it was so much more fun on the beach!


This guy was taking a break from his actual boogie board experience. I missed it, but apparently while the other two yahoos and I ran upstairs, Brody was riding the waves on his board! I am not surprised. He is amazing!


I had me build him a sand castle and then he decorated it. I guess that makes him the architect and interior decorator while I'm just the hired help?


All my Rogers boys trying to get fixed for a nap....


Henley "struggling" to get comfortable...


Ahhhhh, much better! Four outta five little ones napping in the ocean breeze listening to the waves crash....


Look what I whipped out while everyone was napping! Are you impressed?


Dinner at the Wharf


Waiting for fireworks...


Waiting...


Still waiting....luckily some after dinner purchases entertained us! When the fireworks FINALLY started, Henley was not a fan. I tried to explain to her that is was okay, they were far away, and so on....finally I just covered her ears and she thought they were great! Long busy day! Can't wait to do it again tomorrow!

Destin Diary day 2

This is how my day started. Wonderful! I made a big batch of granola for our trip and threw in a delish nonfat vanilla latte...heaven for this momma!





A few poses on the beach. We ran to the beach this morning early to enjoy the cease in the rain. We had a great time and the kids were really getting into the beach mode, but before we knew it we were truckin' back upstairs with all our gear. We ate lunch and minutes later we decided the quick rain shower was over so we made our way back down with ALL our stuff (our group was smaller this time). Todd and I enjoyed a fierce battle of frisbee and the kids played in the sand in the gradually increasing downpour. We tried really hard to ignore the rain pouring down on us...we give...load up and go back up stairs. This is when Owen and Henley started posing. Steph, Todd and I decided as soon as it let up we would grab 1 towel each, carry a beer each, and the kids could only take what they were willing to carry...guess what? No more rain!!!! Beautiful afternoon, walks on the beach, chasing waves, total bliss!


Grammie found a way to entertain Owen while H&B took beach naps


After lots of ninja wave fighting (the boys love to chop and kick at the waves like they are in battle) we found a way to keep the boys from drowning. Owen loves to be buried (he does not like Henley throwing sand in his face when he is helpless).


Dad is very proud of all his hard work. Both boys are having fun...


It's quickly becoming not fun for Brody. While we were burying him he kept lifting his hands. We had to remind him to keep them down. I think the only reason he tolerated it as long as he did was he partner in crime was doing it too. During pics and dad's posing, he started to panic, but it was HILARIOUS that Owen was still stuck!


We stayed in for dinner. Great Ma and Aunt Chelsea made Mexican Stack for dinner. It was delish! My babies are so blessed (as are we) to have these two amazing people in their lives. I think it's so amazing to watch my kids build sand castles with their Great Grandparents.

Destin Day 1 recap

We packed up, caught a plane, and headed to Destin, Florida yesterday. The kiddos did great on the flight (Henley maybe not quite great, but she looked REALLY cute).


We had a short lay over in Houston and after lunch, Henley discovered gum! Thank you big brothers. After lunch...she asked to go to the rest room, for a piece of gum, and for lipstick...is she fifteen? Owen also was very interested in all the tiny babies we saw. He saw one particularly tiny baby and said, "I wish Henley was still tiny"...me too, I thought


We made it!!!! Hooray!!!


After being trapped all morning inside due to sheets of rain, we finally got to head out to the beach!!!! Henley loved the sand but ran from the waves. It was sprinkling and overcast, maybe when it warms up she'll like the water?


So excited to be back at the beach! They have been asking for months when are we going back!


Brody, of course, was last man standing! He could run in and out of those waves for hours nonstop. I LOVE his beach smile! We will have to watch our fearless wave explorer like a hawk this year.


We rolled down to the Crab Shack for dinner and it did not disappoint! We are so blessed to share this wonderful vacation with so much family! Brody the pirate, Brooks the big boy (last year he was in the carseat on that ledge), Henley the diva, Cambree & Owen as Mr. & Mrs. Blue Skies!


A glass of wine while waiting for the sun to set...ahhhhhhh


Crab hunters! This was our second night of hunting...no luck


Worn out! Sweet dreams of crashing waves!