Pontooning in Panama City Beach

We rented a pontoon boat for an afternoon and pontooned around the bay in Panama City Beach. What an afternoon! Our first stop was at a barrier island with the bay on one side and the ocean on the other. The kids loved snorkeling and seeing the fish in the crystal clear water.

We stopped in the middle of the bay a little while later where the water was shallow and some boats were anchored. Soon after we got out into the water, I felt a sand dollar under my foot. We quickly discovered that we had hit the sand dollar jackpot! They were everywhere. You could pick up three or four without moving. We got over 140 in about 20 minutes before we had to make ourselves quit. (I personally think they were placed there just for us by Grandma Helen. I love and miss her so much. Thank you Grandma.)

On our ride back across the bay, we saw many dolphin. Some were pretty close to the boat. It was the first time the kids remembered seeing dolphin. (Cole and Trent did in the Outer Banks but were too young to remember.) We were thrilled to see so many.

Our last stop was Shell Island. Although we didn't find any shells, the kids found many tiny hermit crabs. They picked up about twenty and put them on the boat. Of course, crabs don't just stay where you put them like sand dollars. They were crawling all over the boat. Back into the water they went!

It was a great day and a memory that for me will last a lifetime!

Beach Bums

Every year, the kids say that they may not go in the ocean because they are afraid of sharks, jelly fish, crabs,etc. This year Discovery Channel had "Shark Week" the same week we were leaving on vacation. Trent was convinced he wasn't going in any deeper than his knees. It takes them about two minutes after we hit the sand to put their fears aside. The call of the waves always wins out. Once again, we had so much fun boogie boarding all week long. The kids are so brave. Even Riley got in on the action this year. She wanted to go out as far as her brothers. By the end of the week, she was almost too brave. She didn't want anyone to hold on to her board because the waves would carry her even further when we were not holding on. When not on their boogie boards, the kids also like to play in the sand. So glad they like the beach as much as their mom. Great times and great memories for us all.

The Lagoon Pool

The Seacrest Beach neighborhood has an unbelievable 12,000 square foot swimming pool. The kids decided that it was the largest pool that they have ever swam in. We swam in it a lot (usually a couple of times a day). To have both the beautiful beach and this amazing pool made it a great family vacation spot.

Being at the Beach

We took a week long trip to Seacrest Beach, Florida from August 5th to August 13th. Grandpa and Grandma Suchland met us in Florida, and we all enjoyed spending a week with them. We stayed in the Barefoot Bungalow, a three bedroom/two bathroom house. The house was a block and a half away from the pool and about a five minute walk from the beach.

Mouse in the House

We spotted what we thought was a mouse in the house while we were eating dinner one night. My city kids freaked out. They all jumped up on the island/cabinets and didn't want to get down. Don't let the picture fool you. Cole was the first one on the island and the last one down. We set a trap overnight, and the critter was caught. The mouse turned out to be a shrew (ewww!). You should have heard the kids' reactions when I told them that shrews typically travel in packs of a hundred or more. So gullible!

Happy 14th Birthday Cole!

Cole turned 14 on Wednesday, August 17th. Grandpa and Grandma Suchland, Rene and Braeden came over for dinner. We had pizza and homemade strawberry cheesecake. Happy Birthday Cole!

Making Waves

On Sunday, August 21st, we went jet skiing at Eastwood Lake with some friends and friends of friends. It was the first time jet skiing for all six of us. Everyone had a blast! We are all hoping for another invite very soon.