Beach Please and Thank You

 Y'all we got to be TOTAL bums for the week in our absolute favorite spot - Destin!!!  I could totally live in Florida and never get tired of the ocean.  This was the first year in MANY years that the weather wasn't the best - rainy and sort of overcast and ominous.  However, we were still able to have beach time every single day.  

What made the trip even more special was that Karson was able to come with us for a few days.  Her fall break at UL landed on the Monday and Tuesday of Warren County's fall break.  Months ago I started looking at flights out of Destin, and wouldn't you know it, there was one leaving out on Tuesday afternoon heading to Louisville.  To top it off, it was SUPER cheap! #scorebig

She's officially "off the market" to boy suitors these days and has found herself a very TALL and wonderful young man named Adam.  He also golfs which means he and Matt are already trash talking!  He fits right in with our crazy bunch.  He was sweet enough to drive her to Bowling Green Thursday night.  We fixed a feast for them, and he was able to met her knucklehead brother Isaac.  He'd met Miles twice already when he was in Louisville for golf tournaments.  After dinner, they headed out to explore the lovely metropolis of Bowling Green.  He had to go back to Louisville on Friday and wasn't able to come to the beach with us this time.

The trip down took forever, but we sort of expected that since everyone in this area tends to migrate south for the break.  We were able to check in a little early and enjoy a few hours on the beach Saturday afternoon.   Because we were sharing a condo with Matt's family, Karson shacked up with my sister's family who had some extra room.  Plus, it gave she and Elizabeth some time together.  

Her bff's since birth and the traditional 3-pack beach picture. Somehow she's managed to shrink, and they've continued to grow =).  I'm not sure how much longer we'll be able to recreate this photo. 

I'm not trying to be a miser, but eating out in Destin is a small fortune.  It also puts a major hurting on my stomach.  I like to eat out a couple times and cook a majority of the time (oh how this has changed through the years).  Day 1: usually consists of pizza since we are getting there late.  Day 2: I made spaghetti.  Day 3: was Karson's day since she was leaving the next day which meant we were eating at Jackacuda's.  We discovered this place last year on vacation.  They have the BEST sushi.  Matt, Karson and I all purchased shirts to commemorate the occasion (last year) which we proudly wore Monday night.

Recreating the LOVE pic from last year.  My two blonde clones.

Our group of 30 took over Emerald Dunes - we're a HERD!

It's never easy to say good-bye, but we took our little Cardinal to the Destin/Fort Walton airport Tuesday afternoon for her flight home. Adam was able to collect and take her back to campus when she arrived in Louisville which was only two short hours.  Thankful for the time we got to spend with her.

Side note:  the weekend following our fall break was "UL Parents Weekend."  We knew we wouldn't be traveling to Louisville for that after a long week and travel home from Florida. Extra thankful for the time spent at the beach and that stand-in family were there for her in our absence.

 

The remainder of the week was spent golfing, relaxing, shopping and eating....typical beach life stuff.

 

 

My friend Larie makes the absolute best Caramel Apple Sangria which she shares with us!  It tastes like fall in a cup!

Hot tub takeover!!!

Shannon and Elizabeth had to cut their beach trip short due to volleyball, so we decided to eat something fancy on Wednesday night.  A friend of mine who used to live in Destin was always posting food photos from a local restaurant called Boshamps.  Y'all...it was incredible!  We will definitely be returning in the future.  And, in typical Deaton fashion, Matt and I purchased shirts.

I got the pecan grouper and have NO idea what the rest of our group got.  I was too busy stuffing my face.  The wait for this place is unreal too.  The hostess told us 2.5 hours unless we could find some seats at the bar.  Challenge accepted.  The four of us circled the bar like vultures waiting to find some open spots.  We finally score some seats together.  It would've been a nicer to have been seated, but we were far too hungry to wait that long.

Miles enjoyed mini golf more than real golf this week - he played multiple courses!

 

Golf side note:  Miles finished up with the season with the Spartans Rolling Hills the Tuesday prior to fall break.  When golf is hard, it's really hard.  That day was super hard for him.  However, he powered through with his team taking a 3rd place finish.  We're super proud of his growth and accomplishments this season.

Miles was usually paired up with a young man named Ben Banton from Franklin Simpson.  These two had a great time playing together this season.  We're thankful for his friendship and getting to know his sweet parents.  

There's nothing like sunsets on the beach.  The last day of our vacation, the guys were out golfing later in the afternoon, and Debbie, Vicky and I decided to share some key lime pie on the beach and watch our last sunset.  Debbie titled our group The Sunset Party.  It was a nice end to a beautiful week.

We'd planned to leave super early Saturday morning.  We packed up Friday night for a quick departure.  Matt's phone starting going off early, and I thought it was his alarm.  I got up, used the restroom and assumed it was time to get going.  However, it was a missed call from a Russellville number and only 2:30 AM.  I tossed around the bed and Matt was stirring as well.  I whispered to him....it's 3 AM....if we leave now, we'll miss traffic and be home around 11.  He agreed and we took off.  We made great time, and it was super nice getting home so early and having most of our day.

On Sunday, we celebrated with Poppy.  He was able to come to the beach with us, but it was tough on him.  Trips like that are not easy when you're 94.  Heck, they're not easy when your in your 40's.

October is a full month of celebration for our family!  Miles is up next!