Destin Beach

After Brad’s Ironman we left from Augusta and drove to Destin, Florida. After a lot of navigational questioning from one another we finally got there 8 hours later. 

We went with the Blankenship family and when we got there they were making the best of a cloudy day on the beach so we joined them.

 

Full glass front and side views on the 8th floor!

They look so tiny on the beach.

 

 

Everyone doing random  things!

 

Bradley and Taylor

 

One night we went crab hunting and found absolutely nothing!

Easton has a love for Noah their middle son.  He is his little shadow.

 

We never did our Castle Wars but we did make creatures in the sand.

Easton is such a Daddy’s boy. My only complaint is that Easton and Gavin were overtired by all that went on each day and they were cranky even if they had naps.  They were so excited about the beach the first day but its luster faded quick for them. Once they had sand in their eyes or sunscreen.  Hoping as they get older they will be easier on the beach. It is also never fun trying to keep my fare skinned boys burn free.

Uncle Brock had this inflatable paddleboard that the kids loved.  He would push them in on a wave and they even would stand up like they were surfing!

 

Jens sister n law, Shelley, buried Gavin and he loved it!

We played many games of ultimate Frisbee.  I had never before and it is a really fun game for the beach if you get over the fact that you are jiggling in a bikini.

 

One of the PJ units is in Florida right near Destin so we had some guys and their families over for a big “crab boil.” Also a new experience. Here is my friend Priscilla. We were stationed with her and Keith in Las Vegas.  She is one of my very first military wife friends! When we left Vegas she was pregnant with her son so it was nice to meet him and their daughter.

Don’t mind the creepy mermaid behind them. Brock gets a kick out of her and kept  moving her everywhere.  Like when Brad was in the shower he put her right in front of the door so when he opened it he practically fell on her! He also moved her closer to Shelley and Brian while they were sleeping at night. She stares funny and she has one boob bigger than the other, totally freaky!

The crab boil I speak of.  You cook everything and then dump it one big pile.  Alaska snow crab legs, shrimp, corn, potatoes, sausage.

Shelley, Jenn and I. We were headed out on the last night for a girls night.

We even split a date night in there too so Brad and I got to go out to McGuire's famous restaurant.

 

 

Our family picture! This is as good as it was getting.  Easton was too little to stand on top.

The whole vacation gang!

I was very thankful for this vacation.  This was our first ocean trip as a family.  We really enjoyed it!

We love our TriAthlete!

The last weekend in September, Brad, was in an Ironman competition in Augusta, Georgia.  We all went a long to support our triathlete in his first ever triathlon event!

     

   

We went on Friday and on Saturday he had a lot of pre race meetings and check points to attend. Sunday morning was the big day! This Ironman was called a 70.3 which is the distance.  This was considered a “half” instead of a “full” distance tri which he will be doing this weekend. He started where those orange things are in the water.  He swam  1.2 miles in the Savannah river and then he ran out and stripped off his wetsuit and then got on his bike.  He rode a route that took him 56 miles throughout Georgia and into South Carolina as well. After that he dropped his bike off and took off running 13.1 miles to finish.  All of that together equals 70.3 miles of distance covered. Crazy right?!

Here Daddy is smiling at the boys as he runs by us.  I bought them these little red bells with the Ironman logo on them and they were waving them frantically for him and yelling “Go, Daddy!”

Some post race pictures with the boys and his Finisher Medal. We are so proud of him! He is so disciplined, determined and just awesome!

It was a really amazing event to witness and be a part of by supporting Brad.  I got a shirt that says Ironmate and the boys even though they don’t have shirts are his little Ironkids!

I guess it was a racing theme.  We went to the go cart track on Saturday evening before the race.  Just a little fun for the boys.

There was a park right in front of where Brad started his swim.  The Riverwalk was really cool and the boys and I walked it many times.  Stopping at the park, the marina, an old ferry boat wheel and the farmers market. 

For family reading, you can check out more pictures of Brad that the photographers took at http://www.shopfinisherpix.com/photos/my-photos/pctrl/Photos/paction/search/pevent/esi-ironman-703-augusta-2012/pcpt/2611911/pbib/2406.html This may be my only way of sharing them as they are pretty expensive to buy.

 

On Monday we headed to Destin, Florida from Georgia.  More to come on our week vacation at the beach.

Last Week

Daddy sent us some pictures from the NY.  Here is one of him with Woody.  He thought that was fitting and the boys liked it.
  
Meanwhile back at home we just had our normal days.  Bradley is off for a fall break from school so it was all of us except for taking Gavin to school twice a week which felt funny having B home and not G for a bit. Here is Easton above at a Thursday morning Bible Study I work.  He just hopped in the baby bouncer and said “ I go ni nite!”

Liz and the kids came over one day.  What day was that again? haha! We also went to the park with them on Friday and it was gorgeous weather but of course I have no pictures.
 

The boys must be feeling this fall weather and getting into the season. They have been on an apple eating kick together.
 
On Saturday we went to Joshua’s bowling Birthday party.  He is all the way at the end of the table. He had a lot of friends show up! Here is Bradley and Alex obviously loving the cupcakes.
 
Saturday Night I went to dinner with Tabitha.  After picking up the boys from Drop Zone she helped get their pajamas on and read them a few books before bed.

Superman flying fun!




Bradley came up to me and said “Mom, I moved the bench and its perfect for us to take a photo on.  Come on!” He is so funny how he is thinking “photo op” scenarios in his head.  Love him!

My three handsome boys! They of course are a handful but are such a joy and Brad and I are so still in love with our bright personality boys!
 
Now we are gearing up for Brad’s half Ironman on Saturday in Georgia and then we are on our way to Destin, FL.  I am so excited to have a beach vaca! We actually have not all been to the ocean together yet.  The five of us.  Sunshine, Surf and Sand, here we come!