We like to feel a sea breeze in our hair, the sand between our toes, and chase the frothy waves of the ocean at least once a year. For our family vacation this year, we decided to go explore the beaches along Florida's "Emerald Coast" - and it was just dreamy!
It took us about 12 hours to drive to Florida, and as we're still pretty new to the South, it was fun driving through several states we had never seen before - Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. After eating some southern seafood for dinner in Lake Charles, we stopped in Baton Rouge for the night on the way there.
We camped at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, and we were quite impressed with the amenities! It was quiet and clean, and on site they had a heated swimming pool, laundry facilities, clean bathrooms/showers, a shuttle that took you down to the beach, and back, on the hour, not to mention a place you could rent bikes, canoes, fishing equipment, etc. It was lovely.
We originally thought of going to Destin, but once we started doing a little more research, we were drawn to the beaches along 30A. We had so much fun at Santa Rosa Beach, but also explored some of the cute little beach towns nearby. Alys Beach and Seaside were really fun to explore. We completely fell in love with the area.
The natural beauty of the beaches and scenery along 30A really took our breath away! The sand was as white as sugar, and the sea was a deep and gorgeous blue-green. The water was so clear, too! It was just so so beautiful! It is very fitting that they call it the emerald coast :)
We had a great time, and on our way home, decided to spend a couple of days exploring New Orleans. It was almost like two vacations rolled into one. I'll do a separate post about our little stay in New Orleans.
Oh, Santa Rosa Beach - so dreamy! We look forward to visiting again!
I can't believe he's six months old! He started army crawling a few weeks ago, and now he's on his hands and knees. Today, he found the stairs. He's a busy baby boy, but when he's not busy he wants nothing more than to be held or worn. He takes short little cat naps (usually when being held or worn), but very rarely a good nap (ie. the kind where Mama can get something "done"). It's all good, he'll get there. He's super-chill-go-with-the-flow-happy-go-lucky so we can't complain. He's also pretty cute, and has the sweetest little voice and giggles galore! He's super chunky, and super duper happy. And we learned last week that he's an awesome traveler, too. He loved the beach in Florida, and painting the town at the French Quarter in New Orleans. His first little tooth (bottom right) made it's appearance about ten days ago, making him our earliest teether. We have just started introducing soft finger foods (mango, banana, avocado) which he loves. He especially loves his mum mum crackers, and Mama's milk, of course. He sleeps great at night and loves snuggling up in our family bed. His eyes keep getting blue-er, and his hair keeps getting blonde-er ;) He loves bath time, being outside, and his brother and sisters. Oh, and Sofie le Girafe. Gah. He's just the best and the world is a better place with him in it. We are head over heels for our Hudson Jude! Happy Half Birthday, little man!
Hudson was excited to try his first solids! I snapped a few pics before things got messy (and fun!)
This happy guy is 5 months old today. What!?! Rather than lament and scold Father Time for speeding by, I will just focus on all the fun we're having with our littlest boy. He does the tripod sit and is getting better at it every day. (I think he's practicing so he can sit and look real chill on his first trip to the beach in a couple weeks). He is the King of drool. His favorite toys are currently his toes. He can roll all over the room and can scotch/wriggle/crawl about 4 feet. He's super ticklish and has the cutest giggles. He LOVES his brother and sisters. He also loves to nurse, and to be held or worn. He also loves stories and bath time. He brings joy and smiles to everyone, everywhere. Aspen often says, "Mama, I just love him SO SO much!" Me too, sister. Me, too.
Some of the little ways we passed our Austin winter days...
1. the search for the perfect christmas tree
2. baby bear
3. hazel's first haircut - does she look like ramona or amelie? perhaps a bit of both.
4. picking out some holiday greens with mama at trader joes
5. an evening stroll around the neighborhood to look at lights
6. hudson's first "polar bear plunge" at barton springs
7. a little holiday baking with my tiny helper
8. dancing her way out of the nutcracker - pure magic
9. pillow talk with this handsome little fella, oh how I love him
10. a day of hiking, climbing, and exploring at enchanted rock
11. he's getting so big and strong - already rolls over
12. aspen and I are reading "heidi" together, so we thought it only appropriate to try and do 'heidi hair', so cute
13. such a joyful milestone - sawyer's very own library card
14. I can spend hours watching my babies sleep, never gets old
15. somehow I woke up and I was 38 years old
16. we are ready for sunshine adventures - c'mon spring, we're ready for ya!
17. always exploring, always in her own little world
18. little moccs on a favorite swing at the wildflower center
19. hazel loves hudson
20. adventures in east austin
21. I'm a sucker for those succulents ;)
22. a morning spent at the nursery always brings joy
