true Spring break

It's not lost on me that we are a very blessed family when it comes to travel.  Between being smart with airline miles, having other family members who make travel a priority, allocating a decent amount of our household budget to family trips, and tagging on Ryan's work travel, we go some great places.  Despite all that, when school vacations come and don't align with our trips, I always feel a certain level of disappointment in a break wasted.  Ryan has done a decent amount of travel to Florida lately and I'm pretty sure I started bugging him in January to make sure he was there over Ben's Spring break, so Ben and I could tag along.  Amazingly, that seed I planted (and watered A LOT) grew, but only days before we were to depart.  We sold our Saturday basketball tickets, lined up Nana and Papa to watch their grand-pups, and set sail for sunny(ish) shores.

This was Ben's first time in charge of a suitcase and he owned it.

Wish he shared this well with everyone.

Clearly cramping his style 

The weather was decent and much better than the feet of snow falling back home, but temps were below normal and one day was fairly rainy.  This was mine and Ben's first time to the gulf coast of Florida and though I might not jump on friend Rob's bandwagon that it's the "best beach in the world," the sand was white and smooth and the water was a perfect aqua hue.  

the view from our balcony

We spent Sunday as a family, walking the beach to beers and snacks and hot-tubbing before dinner.  Ryan worked most of Monday and part of Tuesday while Ben and I entertained ourselves at the beach and pool.  

There were a few playgrounds along the beach at different restaurants.  

We hit up this one a lot.

Sauteed crab claws.  

Ryan coming here a lot was a huge bonus in the food department.

 Monday with Mom..........

 Tuesday morning we headed to the Gulfarium next to our hotel and watched the dolphin show.  Scenes from the movie Blackfish were burned in my mind and I couldn't help but think these animals would be happier at sea.  The other sea life was neat to see and of course the staff gave lots of reasons why their work was so important and why the dolphins needed to be there.

Ryan took lots of GoPro video of all the animals doing their thing, and in a couple years when it's edited together, I'll be sure and post it. ;)

On Tuesday afternoon our at least my life, was changed forever.  We headed down the coast to Seaside at the suggestion of one of Ryan's co-workers.  Seaside is an idyllic coast town that one would really have to see to believe.  Families ride their bikes around town and down to the beach with nary a bike lock in site.  We enjoyed shrimp and lobster rolls and fresh squeezed lemonade from a deck on the beach and strolled through adorable shops.  This vacation playground for the wealthy of the south is absolutely picture-postcard-perfect.  You will not find culture or low prices here, but turquoise water, amazing food, and happy kids running amuck were a welcome way to spend the afternoon.

My mouth still waters at the shrimp salad roll and my heart still skips a beat at the $90 lunch bill with simple (but delicious) sandwiches and a couple beers.

The big open lawn at the center of town.

my south beach model :)

Wednesday brought the nicest weather and a nice day at the beach and by the pool soaking up the sun and sand. 

The last sunset before the last supper.  After this we headed out for some famous smoked prime rib.  Ben was on his best behavior and the whole evening was the perfect end to an amazing few days.

Heading home to more feet of snow Thursday was quite a smack in the face.  We were a little worried we'd be stuck (some of us might have prayed for it,) but after a decent delay on the tarmac to get a gate when we arrived in Denver, we made it home without much incident. 

DIA was a disaster with random bags everywhere and any semblance of organization given up at least 24 hours before. People were crying left and right and others were screaming on their phones at customer service.  Right after someone told us our baggage would be delayed at least an hour, it rolled down the claim-amen!

It was an early start and a long travel day before he plopped down into his bean bag and was out within seconds.  A move to the couch did little to disturb him and a rare post-nap full nights' sleep was proof of how exhausting so much fun can be. 

Huge thanks to Nana and Papa for watching Hayes and Luke.  The break was just what our family needed and I hope it's just the beginning of "true Spring Breaks" for us.