Our first annual Brown/Cofer va-ca-shun is in the books!
7 days, 8 people, 3 cars, 1 house.
I'm happy to report we are home safely and all still speaking to each other.
We spent an amazing week in Gulf Shores in a gorgeous beach house. This was the first time all 8 of us had vacationed together and it was truly special! My family and mom and dad got there on Saturday and Andy and Kadi came Monday night. Then Jimmy had to come back on Thursday for work and a CBA (which he won... woo-hoo!)
We stayed at BeachSide at Romar resort in the "Coasting" house. It turns out (after looking at the pictures in the house and reading their guest book) that the beach house was owned by one of Andy's fraternity brothers at Auburn. Small world.
The first of many walks across that beautiful bridge to the beach...
"There's just no waves buddy..."
We kept hearing about the hot spots... Lulu's, The Hangout, and Lamberts. We never made it to Lamberts but you don't get much more "kid friendly" dining than Lulu's and The Hangout. So much fun!
Trace did the ropes course at Lulu's and I swear it was 110 degrees outside, which is just what you need when your kids dangling high above the ground by a rope. You could be in the Arctic and still be sweaty.
Our one and only full family photo...
My sweet little man on his 6 AND A HALF birthday.
The kids and Aunt Kadi loved the photo booth!
Things got a little lulu at Lulu's...
A rare moment of sibling love...
Trace loved the bunk beds!
(No, those aren't his middle fingers. He hasn't learned that yet... I hope that's 2nd grade.)
Nighttime crabbing on the beach...
This was one of my favorite moments. We had just come in from looking for crabs and gave both kids a bath. Totally naked (and probably still wet) they crawled up in Aunt Kadi and Uncle Andy's bed to watch Shark Week. (I wouldn't recommend your 6-year-old watching that while you're
actually at the beach. ;)
Trace was really sad when Jimmy left on Thursday morning. We expected a little sadness but not the tears. It about broke Jimmy's heart. That boy loves his daddy. So I took him to the fun park for a little arcade/putt putt/race car action...
He wasn't quite tall enough to drive on the big race track by himself, so we had to settle for the
toddler kids track. I bought the ticket before we saw it, and literally what you see behind him in the picture is the whole track. I could have crawled faster than the car. I almost had the operator stop it early because he looked so completely bored. ha! He was a good sport though.
Trace and I made a wish on the "Wishing Wall" at the Hangout.
Mine- "I wish for our family to be healthy and happy."
T's- "I wish I could fly."
Nana and Keatyn building a sand castle.
Trace and Andy spent many hours riding the waves and attempting to "skim" They really needed helmets.
We met a little friend, Knox. Knox McGhee to be exact. Don't know if that's his middle or last name, but you know you'd better listen and stop running toward the ocean when mommy calls BOTH your names. :)
Digging a tunnel from the puddle to the ocean...
I realize our tent looks a little "Sanford and Son-ish", but we had to take the tarp down that day because of high winds...which, yes, completely defeats the purpose of the tent but makes a nice place to hang your towels and shirts.
A little pedi from Aunt Kadi...
Absolutely one of my favorites... (They chased those poor birds all week.)
It was a week I will never forget! Reconnecting as a family and creating memories my kids will carry forever is priceless. Thank you so much mom and dad!! Love you all!
