Beach Friend-cation!

One of the perks of working for a school (of sorts) is that I get summer vacation! Seven weeks of work freedom to be exact. I am right in the middle of the break, and it's just the best thing.  There is a lot going on this summer, so it really came at the perfect time.  My weeks have been filling up with all kinds of fun things that I can't to share.

First things first....beach vacation! I finished up work on May 25th, and we headed to Destin on May 26th. It was the perfect way to kick-off summer.  The best part about this trip was that we went with the Rhoads, some of our dear friends from college.  I must say that friend-cation was a BLAST.  The drive down to Florida went so quickly because it was so fun to all catch up on life.  And then we spent everyday just lounging on the beach like pros.  We had no plans.  We just did what we felt like doing in the moment, and it was pure relaxation.  Plus, our set up (courtesy of the Rhoads) was amazing...

Can't hide our Razorback pride.

One of my favorite things that happened was losing our condo key on the beach.  Why exactly is this a good memory?  Well Austin had the key and then somehow he didn't.  Ruh-roh.  We just knew we would never be able to find a key in the sand.  Just then Nick spotted a man combing the beach for treasures with a metal detector.  Not a shy bone in his body, he asked the man to come check under our canopy to see if his metal detector would pick up the key.  He was a very nice man, and he obliged...

  And sure enough....he found the key.  Buried under several inches of sand.  It was amazing.

In the evenings we had dinner at some great places, and then stayed in and grilled at our place some, as well.  Here are a few pictures from our evenings out and about.

Barefoot BBQ food truck in Seaside

Caroline and I in Seaside

Appetizers on the deck at AJ's

On our last day at the beach, we decided to rent some stand-up paddle boards.  The water was like glass the first couple of days we were there, but of course, we decide to try these on the windiest, choppiest day of the trip.  It was a lot of fun but SO MUCH WORK. The size of the individual definitely makes a difference in being able to stay up on the board, so the girls had much better luck than the boys.  

It was a sad day to see this trip come to a close, but it was just what the doctor ordered.  A big thanks to the Rhoads for beach bumming with us! We loved every minute!

Now if you will excuse me, I need to go get fancy.... My brother is getting married tonight!!!!!! :)