Vacation!

In mid-June, the boys and I traveled to Orange Beach, AL to stay at a beautiful resort with my parents and Kylee's family. It was a weekday gig so Dustin couldn't make it :(

I left our home around 5:30AM with the hopes that the babies would sleep the majority of the way there. They didn't sleep a ton but they were very well behaved on the 3.5 hour drive.We only had to stop once for Beanie to potty. Luke got fussy the last 30 minutes or so but otherwise, it was an easy trip!

The last 20 minutes of the drive were along a beach road. Xavier was so ready to be there that he kept saying "Mama, turn there! I see Papa's truck!" :)

When we arrived, Xavier was SO excited that our resort was so big. After parking,my dad and Evan came down to help us with our things. Xavier ran for Papa and jumped in his arms :)

The condo was BEAUTIFUL. It was humongous, too. All upgraded finishes and luxury this and that. There was plenty of room for us all. :) The first thing Beanie wanted to do was go out on the patio and look at the water. This particular resort was especially remarkable because it was positioned between the Gulf and the inlet so there was water on both sides :) Our room and an inlet view and the kids loved watching the boats and people gather at the little island pictured below.

We arrived just after breakfast so we played with cousins and greeted cousins before heading out to the pool.

BFF 

Indoor Koi Pond

This resort had 9 different outdoor pools, 6 indoor pools, a lazy river,at least 5 slides and countless other water amenities. My little fishies were in HEAVEN! Xavier did amazing in swim lessons this year but it was on this trip that he really proved he can actually swim. I was so proud just watching him and it made me feel SO good to know that he is safe near water :)

The first thing he said when we walked outside was that he wanted to go on the big slides. These slides were for big kids and adults so I answered with the typical "maybe."

After spending time at the pools, we headed back upstairs for some food and to meet Evan's parents. They were in town too but staying at a different hotel.

Of course, it wouldn't be a vacation with Mimi without white powdered doughnuts.

We all decided after lunch to head to the beach. Because the resort is large, there was a trolley system that took you to the beach which was really nice. Xavier LOVED the trolley ride.

glass elevator :)

Trolley!

We spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach and had marvelous time. The boys just love it!

2 months apart :)

After playing at the beach, we cleaned up and went to dinner at a local seafood joint :)

Xavier played so hard throughout the day that after dinner, he politely asked if he could rest on my lap for a "witto bit."

And of course we couldn't leave the restaurant without a souvenir or two...or 9.

Xavier and I spent the remainder of the evening on a mommy and me date in the indoor pool. It was so great to spend some one on one time with my precious little guy! He LOVED the fish slide that was indoors :) (Pics later)

Once we came back up to the room, we sat on the balcony and visiting with our dear family <3

The next day, we woke up bright and early, ate breakfast and headed to a different pool area. We spent the entire morning/afternoon outside and had the most amazing, fun, relaxing time we have had in a while :)

Floating on the Lazy River!

Cousins having fun!

These three-tiered pools were BEAUTIFUL

I don't think Xavier got out of the pool one time!

After spending a day in the sun, we got ready for a fun dinner at LuLu's! My family has been vacationing in Orange Beach/Gulf Shores for years and it is one of our favorite spots! There food is yummy, the setting and scenery are fabulous and there is SO much to do!!

We lucled out and got a table RIGHT on the water and Xavier spent the entire dinner watching the boats, big and small,go by :) He was truly entranced in a way only a 4 year old boy can be. It was AMAZING to watch him enjoy himself so much!

After dinner, we played in the sand area and play grounds before heading to the game room. X got lots of tokens to play games with and especially loved using his tickets to "buy" toys.

And what kind of vacation would it be if Xavier and Papa didn't stop at the grocery afterward for some ice cream to bring back to the condo:)

When we got back, we headed back down to the pools where Papa and Beanie swam together. After a while, Uncle Evan came down and mentioned the big slides outdoors that Xavier had been hounding me about. We all decided to go outside and give it a go...

The SECOND I gave X my permission to slide, he ran up the steps and down he came. He was FEARLESS. The medium slides were 2 stories tall!

The 2 "medium" slides

Next, he went for the "BIG" slide. I didn't take a picture but I filmed it (see below :)

Luke watch X with amazement like we all did. He was so brave that even I decided to go down teh big slide. Xavier LOVED watching his Mama play on the water slide.  And, let me tell you...it was SCARY! The adults (Myself, Evan and Papa) only went on it once but Xavier went down it at least 20 times!

That night, our babies slept good :)

On our last day there (we could only bear to be away from daddy for 3 days and 2 nights!) we woke up and immediately made plans for a Dolphin Cruise!

 It was a very successful cruise and we saw many pods in many places. It was SO nice to be on a boat. I told my parents that it was the first time I'd been on a boat since Dustin took me on a dinner cruise on our honeymoon. Xavier quickly corrected me and reminded me we had been on a boat lots of times at Disney...hahaha. Not quite the same!

The boys weren't really into the life jackets...

After the 90 minute Dolphin Cruise, we headed back to the Condo. On the way we saw a fish monger with lots of fresh catches and decided to stay a bit and watch!

I had already told everyone that the boys and I would make one more dinner reservation and then hit the road so we decided on "The Hangout." It's another cool place with an amazing atmosphere and it is right on the beach.

X took this pic of a palm tree

We had a great table with a great view! Thekids were great,the atmosphere was fun and it was a great way to spend our last day!

Once we got back from the beach, it was Luke's nap time so my parents took him up to the room while Beanie and I had one more date. Have I mentioned how much I love this 4 year old. Spending some serious quality time with him on this trip was the best part!

We went back to the indoor pool and played for a while and then headed back out to the bog slides so that he could get his fill.

Finally, we headed back up to the room to pack up and head out.

In no time we were ready and it was time to say goodbye. My parents walked us out and surprisingly no tears were shed! It made it easier knowing we would see them again soon :)

We had the most amazing time. The only thing that could have made it any better was if daddy had been with us. Xavier spent the next week telling Dustin about every moment of our trip. He wishes daddy could have been there too.

Below are some videos I took. Until next time,Caribe!