We hadn't officially made the connection, but realized Destin is in the same central time zone as MN, you learn something new every day!
We knew it was going to be a glorious day with full sun, so we started our morning on the beach. After lots and lots of sunscreen, yes, even for Mommy! I encouraged the kiddos to keep cover ups on as long as possible.
and then everyone peacefully played in the sand. Reid and Sally worked on a great sand castle that withheld it's walls even 6 hours later when they came back to check on it
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Experimenting with how much sand it takes to absorb all of the ocean water
She could sit and pour sand back and forth for hours, it was wonderful
A creative one, just like her dad
His shirt says it all, love him
and then Mom decided to do some fun photos on the side while other kept playing in the sand. Names in the sand and jumping pictures
TaDa!
pouring and repouring and pouring some more
Water girl!
Mom's turn
Dad, always up for Mom's shenanigans
after a break for lunch we brought down the boogie boards, I didn't have my phone out when Sally and Libby were doing it, but I did capture Reid and I
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Reid didn't expect me to go so quickly so he only got the end of what was a really good ride, I promise, you can hear it in my giggles
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Sally's creation and picture taking skills
and then Tripadvisor for another win. My favorite place we ate, Dewey's on the water. You stand in line to get your food and then pick a table to eat it at. It's fresh from the coast! The location is also known to have the best sunset views. It was beautiful, although clouds came moments before the sunset, but we saw dolphins right off the dock!
Emma and Libby were especially buddy buddy this evening
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our perfect table spot
Patiently waiting to submit our order
my perfectly perfect dinner!
Reid's delicious dinner of choice
Trying to catch a bit of the sunset
on a roll...
I'll pose like this...[VIDEO]
Besties for the night
C-Mile Sisters
High School Sweethearts
Emma wanting to take a picture
The end of a really great day
stay tuned for our last day, our flight home and how I survived every parent's worst nightmare!!!
We started our morning with donuts! Krispy Kreme--the girls have never been! Emma was the most daring to mix it up and try a strawberry frosted donut!
We headed back and spent the morning in the pool
Loving vacation life
in her prime
Diving for rings!
Such a great dad!
We surprised the girls with news that we were headed back to the Boardwalk to go out on a Dolphin Cruise! We had made reservations a few weeks before our trip.
The girls spotted at lizard!
Waiting in line to board the Sea Blaster!
Boardwalk view from the harbor
Silly Sea gulls coming after crackers [VIDEO]
Heading under the bridge
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Pretty water color
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Getting in line so the girls could Captain the boat!
The helpers took my phone to take pictures of the girls. I especially love the proud daddy in the background!
Everyone was dying over Miss Emma
Emma honking the horn [VIDEO]
Libby Honking the horn [VIDEO]
Seeesters
Lots of fun music on the boat
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Enjoying giving our girls memories to last a lifetime
This lady reminded me of my Grandma Bea, she was having a great time!
and then we arrived in a location with a handful of Dolphins. It was awesome!
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Having an awesome time running from side to side to spot all the dolphins
Keeping an eye out for more dolphins
on our way back in, Libby asked if she could stand and Dance. Which earned her the name Mapple (Mom's apple :))
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Since we were all dressed and ready we decided to have an early dinner so we could head back and swim from the rest of the day. We went to Fudpuckers where they have live alligators.
We had a wonderful server, Autumn, who we discovered lived in Duluth for a few months. She's lived in more than a handful of places and she said Duluth was definitely her favorite and she hopes to make it back. She was so sweet with the girls, specializing their meals to be exactly what they hoped for even if the menu didn't specifically offer it. For example, giving them each their favorite kid size flavor milkshake, even though mom was going to make them agree and split just one flavor. Emma was also on a roll, as you can see in the photo :) Delicious food as well!
We also learned we were smart to do an early dinner as during the prime dinner hour, the wait time can be up to and over an hour and a half!
Lazy, sun bathing, Alligators--not as cool as our dolphins we had just seen
We retreated to the beach to end the night
Loving life!
and then a sweet lady passed by offering to take our picture and everyone looked and smiled and it was a perfect ending to a really great day!
Stay tuned for our last full day--Mom's favorite day--lots of sunshine!
