Beachin' It, Baby!

Last week, the Morris family spent a week at the beach in NW Florida.  We stayed at SanDestin Beach and Golf Resort, which I learned is actually in Miramar Beach, FL, not Destin, FL. 

In what promised to be an unfortunate coincidence, Tropical Storm Debby was also headed to the NW Florida shoreline.  In fact, as we pulled out and started driving south, I was getting so worried about the weather I could hardly concentrate.  But within 48 hours, it was clear that Debby's course would change for our benefit.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Sunday afternoon just across the FL state line 2. crossing the Choctawhatchee Mid-Bay bridge 3. Waking up Monday morning to a promising sky 4. Dinner Monday night...the hint of a rainbow is a promise of better weather ahead!

The week started off with a little work business to attend.  Mom and I had to expo at a writing conference. My pregnant BF Lorie rode down with me.  Her husband helped the two of us get set up until Mom could join us from yet another conference that started off her week.  Here's how our 3 tables looked:

On Tuesday Bobby and the kids made it down.  By Tuesday night, we were a party of eight: Mom, Lorie, Shane and their daughter Whitney, Bobby, me, and our 2 kids. 

Although we were working, we had our afternoons free...and that led us to discover something we had never personally realized before: the beach in the afternoons is prime time for play.  Normally we head out all day then rush back to shower and get ready for evening activities.  But when you take away your timed schedules, there is a real opportunity for evening seashore enjoyment.  Don't believe me?  Take Caroline and Whitney's word for it:

Overall it was a great trip.  Our kids all played so well together.  In fact, I really don't believe a vacation of this nature would be possible if not for the seamless blending of families. 

Whitney and Rob, same age minus 3 months.

Friday was a beach-free day.  We spent the morning at the pool and that afternoon the mommies and Nona took the kids on a pirate ship while the Daddies played golf.  I will do a separate post about it later this week, but it was so much fun!  Like I said, that morning was just a pool day, and as an added bonus my dad, Papa Joe, came in town too! Dad's sister lives just a quick 20 minutes from where we were and Dad was off the road for a little break.  So it worked out that he got to see his sister and his daughter/grandkids all in one day.  Swimming with Papa Joe was fun!

The worst part about beach vacations is how quickly they seem to end.  Yet, as always, I know we will return soon.  Here are way too many a few shots from the week of fun:

Aren't naps on the beach the greatest?

Happy Fourth of July!  Today is one of those days where we are going to relax and enjoy the independence given to us by Independence Day!  I hope your day is just as good!

National Championship in NOLA!

  
  
[Warning...this is a very picture-heavy post, but I'm cramming a wonderful weekend into just one post...plus I'm back-log blogging.]

So how y'all doing?  As I mentioned yesterday, I spent the month of January adjusting to a new (yet old familiar) lifestyle.  But too bad for me because the Morris clan had previously arranged plans to travel to Houma and New Orleans, LA for a little ol' football game.  Can anyone scream "Road Trip"?

PS: I'm not actually "showing" yet.  But with a combination of the windy day and the unflattering top...YUCKY!

Notice Lorie's black and gold attire above?  Well, on Saturday the N.O. Saints were in a playoff game.  As much as we all love the Crimson Tide (and we DO!) the Saints are like, well, saints in the area. So we spent Saturday hanging out and getting ready for some NFL.

By the way, it's nice having a best friend with a fresh seafood market in the family.  Anyone want some fresh raw oysters on the half-shell?  Thanks for that fine shuckin' Shane!!!

Well, finally Sunday arrived.  We got up super early and make the 1 hr drive northeast to New Orleans.  It was on, y'all.  Eight (8) of us piled into our Expedition and headed to the Crescent City, prepared to show them who was boss! 

In Jackson Square, this guy was playing "Sweet Home Alabama"!  Um, Awesome!!!

We ate lunch at this little cafe and I swear, I had the BEST muffaletta...ever!!!

There really is music on every corner!

Some sights and fun in the city!

Did you know that you can't just TAKE a shot in the bars?  Men have to "retrieve" the shots, and women have to go after them.  Oh well, it's alcohol, so it'll kill the germs, right?

I...uh...there are no words!

Rashad Johnson, Alabama c/o 2009 DB (top, center) and his buddies were in the city partying, too!

Finally, it was the day of the big game!  Some of us (not me) woke up feeling a little, well... But sweet, beautiful Whitney was all about her Bama Houndstooth pride! 

So, what do you do when you wake up with "your mind right" on game day but you realize you have almost 8 hours until kickoff?  Play cards, of course!

There was plenty of good ballgame food, but we were in southern Louisiana, so there was also a king cake, natch...

This poor tiger's tag says "Roll over the Tide!"  I don't think so!...

It's finally game-time!

Heck Yeah!

Look how happy he is! And check out that score...21-0 baby!

Trust me, they'll both be celebrating tomorrow!

And, that's a wrap for this fun-filled long weekend in Louisiana!  Thank you Shane and Lorie for opening your house to all us crazies.  We love you bunches!

P.S. ROLL TIDE!  NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, BABY!  #14!!!

Our Midsummer Night's Dream...or Trip. Whatev...

So first of all, there are a couple of things you should know.  1.) Midsummer is a real event which happens at the end of the day (i.e. midnight after) June 21st which is when we recognize the summer solstice.  In pagan tradition, a little bit of magic and a whole lot of revelry is possible at this time.  2.) If your summer--like most of ours--is primarily controlled by the school calendar, "mid" summer is usually around the middle of June these days...that is if you even have a summer at all once you are through with All-Stars/Travel Ball, etc.

Neither of the aforementioned dates are when we took a trip down to the beach.  So sue me.  I thought it was a catchy blog title.

The Morris family joined the Jones and Stewart families for a long weekend at the beach in sunny Orange Beach, AL.  We had to fight for the sun.  It was trying to evade us.  In fact, the kiddos got cabin fever STAT:

 In fact, you'll notice in most of these pictures there is not a lot of warm light.  Nevertheless, Whit said to CC, "C'mon.  We're going..."

I'm gonna be really honest with you in the spirit of full disclosure.  We grown ups got to having a blast pretty quickly!  Rain?  What rain?

(Oh, by the way, I look like a big, fat cow in a lot of these pictures. I have to be a bridesmaid in about 6 months, so watch me shrink!)

Try to keep up.  There were 6 adults and 5 kids all piled into a 3 bedroom condo.  It was great fun!  Remember me mentioning that li'l bit of midsummer magic?  Magically all the kids got along great.  I can't think of a single spat that had to be controlled!

Caroline and Anna were so cute together!  They sat over on this empty chaise for what seemed like forever.  They played together and looked like a preview of 20-somethings who would be hanging with her bestie!

Then, there were times when the kids would get restless, as kids normally do.  We had our very own Daddy-Daycare!  Mark may have had as much fun--if not more--playing with the kiddos!

He had them all lined up like they were at beach summer camp or something!  Shortly after this, the sun came out, so I'm gonna hush now and let y'all enjoy the scenery:

Night time was a fun time, too! One night we went into Gulf Shores to the Hangout and hang-out we did! 

There is something mid-summery magical about the laughs someone can share with her girlfriends! We were being very silly! 

 

Alas, when the sun really went down, the grownups had a spade tournament and the kids had movie night:

No beach trip would be complete without the requisite trip to the dunes for an attempt at family pictures.  Here are the results of our photo shoot on our way out of town.  They are not as bad as I thought they would be...

And, maybe I'm biased, but I really think my kids are future heartbreakers!  Need more proof?

Well, that's a wrap for this Midsummer Night's Trip.  It took us about 6.5 hours to travel home when it usually only takes 4 hours!  I think everyone in the world was at the Gulf this past weekend. You weren't?  Well, I hope you could enjoy yourselves through this little story!

'Til then, folks, Bye!