Making memories with people you love, in a place you love.

Boating was fun on Mother’s Day, but I must say, it was far more beautiful this past Saturday. In fact, it was the kind of day I dream about, brag about, and apparently blog about.

Destin pass and Harborwalk Village

Destin pass

Crab Island

the Gulf of Mexico

the Gulf of Mexico

the Gulf of Mexico

the Gulf of Mexico – you could see the ripples of sand even in 15-ft deep water!

This got me thinking about WHY ON EARTH we waited until this year to rent a boat on a semi-regular basis. Boat ownership means you have a monthly payment, have to pay to store it somewhere, fill it with expensive gas, carry insurance, and pay to maintain it. Um, hello? Expensive! Renting a boat, on the other hand, is much more affordable. A half day rental at Destin Vacation Boat Rentals is $200. Split it with another family, and you’re looking at $25/hour for an afternoon of fun on Destin’s glorious emerald waters. It just makes sense to rent,  you know? For us, it’s now a permanent line item in our warm months’ budget. Think it’s a good idea, too? Call (850) 650-BOAT and ask for Chris. Tell him I sent you. xoxo

As of yesterday, I am 19 weeks pregnant. Half way there! Finally starting to show. Carrying Jonah is becoming slightly more uncomfortable.

Andy and his little buddy Noah

Taylor and Nathan liked each other for at least 30 seconds. I took a picture so it would last longer.

We were joined by the Blowes family, Andy’s sister Sarah, Sarah’s new boyfriend Matt, and Taylor’s friend Bailey. The Blowes family is in my top fifty ten five favorite families to hang out with. When we found out we had room for more people, we invited Sarah and Matt to come along. And of course, bringing a middle school aged daughter without a friend is a potential disaster, so Bailey joined us.

the Blowes family: Sam, Monica, Will, and Amy

Like me, Monica is knocked up. This is our second time to be pregnant together. Not WITH each other. Just at the same time. Whatever. You know what I mean.

Will and Amy will have a new baby sister in September.

Sarah and her new boyfriend Matt (not to be confused with her brother Matt)

Taylor and Bailey

Will (and some lovely bokeh, no?)

Amy

Taylor really seemed to enjoy herself.

So did Nathan.

Do you see this? Duck face?! On my not-quite-three-year-old? What has this world come to?! Noah, Noah, Noah… Mama doesn’t know what to think about this.

Sweet baby Jonah wanted to be held most of the time, so this photo opportunity was a rare occurrence.

At least he took two naps.

We played hard. We laughed hard. It was good times with good people.

Eww! Look at all that poop!

Speaking of poop…

See this kid? My son? My second born?

You may or may not know this, but pontoon boats don’t have cabins. Which means they don’t have toilets.

Eh-hmm.

When a boy’s got to go, a boy’s got to go. So, we let him drop the kids off at the pool take a dump in the Gulf. And if you must know, some were floaters and some were sinkers.

What?! It’s not nearly as bad as what BP dumped into the Gulf. Just saying!

New nickname: Party Pooper

Incidentally, I’ve done worse. But that story is for another post. Sorry for getting your hopes up. Deal with it. Anyway…

It was a beautiful day.

Making memories with people you love, in a place you love. That’s what it’s about, ladies and gentlemen. That’s what it’s about.