We're Home (and a few more pictures)

We made it home! It was a great trip, but there is truly no place like home. We were all so happy to be in our own beds last night!

The weather was great! It only rained twice, but even then it didn't rain the whole day. The girls absolutely amazed me in the ocean! Jessica bought them both a boogie board, and they had a blast Thursday and Friday "riding" the waves.

I was a bit of a nervous wreck Friday, though. There was a red flag, and the waves were rough. Gib took the girls out, and I stood close by, in knee-deep water, to watch and run if I needed to. (Did I mention that I'm not crazy about getting in the ocean?)

Jessica did great with the waves but got a little frustrated that she couldn't go as far or as fast as Emma Grace. I know she likes being the big sister, but sometimes I know she wishes she was as small as Emma Grace. 'Cuz there are some benefits to being small, you know!

Gib pushed Emma Grace with a wave on her board, and she face-planted right into the water. I guess it was really the sand! One minute she was charging forward, and the next we see two little feet straight in the air. She did a "head stand" (as she called it) in the ocean. She got up, Gib got to her, and after coughing and sputtering, she said "Let's go to the pool". Gib said they needed to ride one more wave, and I think they did about 10 more. She loved it! They both had a blast. But I can't tell you how my stress level decreased when they were out of that water!

We mostly ate in the condo, but we did go out to dinner twice and lunch once. We also took the girls to ride go-carts. It was so much fun, but they bounced us silly! Believe it or not, I had never driven one, and it was a first for the girls. Gib drove Jessica and they went as fast as they could. Emma Grace got stuck with me. We went fast enough, but not as fast as they did! Part of my problem was that I couldn't keep my flip-flop on! Note to self...DO NOT wear flip flops to drive a go-cart! I had no choice, though, because I didn't take any tennis shoes.

Friday morning, I woke up very early and couldn't go back to sleep. I decided to get up and sit on the balcony, listening to the waves. When I looked up in the sky, it was cloudy everywhere except right in front of me. There was one star shining so bright it was unbelievable. It made me think of Grady. I've never shared my "star" story, but I will eventually as part of Grady's service.

Here are a few more pictures from our trip...

Hangin' at the pool Wednesday. Check out Gib's pink hat! It's really Jessica's, but we forgot his. By the middle of the week, his head was hurting from the sun. Jessica very kindly offered him her hat since she wasn't using it. We could spot him from a mile away!




We didn't get a family picture, but here we all are at dinner Wednesday night.







Emma Grace was so tired. Jessica was holding her, rubbing her face. Too sweet!



The girls just had to have something from Starbucks. Thursday morning they indulged in a double chocolatey chip frappucino. Can you tell they're freezing?



We moved outside by the pool, but they were still cold!




After dinner Thursday night, we went on the beach, outside of the restaurant, to take these.






Heading out into those big waves Friday with Daddy.






Have a great night!

Love,
Tonya