Englewood Girls Beach Trip 2013

Each year around this time, the girls in our Sunday School class take a weekend beach trip to Florida.  We've only been in the class since May, but I knew I wanted to go!  A few weeks before my surgery I signed up and paid my money, knowing this would be my first big goal to overcome, post-op.  

As soon as I returned home from the hospital, I told my friend Glory I wasn't going to the beach.  No way, no how.  My ambitions were just too high when I signed up and there was no way I could go.  Being the no-nonsense friend that she is, she told me I didn't have much of a choice and that I was going on this trip!  

Before I knew it, ten weeks had passed and it was time to head to the beach!  I was nervous, anxious, and excited all at the same time.  Not only was this my first trip with my new girlfriends, but it was also my first trip back to Florida by myself---just me and Kyndall for ten hours in the car together.  I was about to leave my comfort zone for sure!!

Since my family only lives about two hours from the beach we were going to, I decided to extend my trip beyond what the girls were planning.  I went down two days earlier than they did and spent some time with my family in Tallahassee.  Then, following the beach trip, I returned to Tallahassee to stay an extra week.  

Matthew just happened to be out of town the nights leading up to my departure, so I had no choice but to load the car by myself.  Call me spoiled, but this was a first for me!  Matthew just always does it for us and I never have to think about it.  (Really, he enjoys doing it---Guess that's what working in the freight industry will do to ya!)

I was pretty proud of myself that night, especially considering the fact that I volunteered to take all 7 of the beach chairs and 7 beach towels down with me so the girls would have extra room in their car.  Somehow, I made it all fit!

Forgot to mention I had both of the dogs with me as well.....

Kyndall did GREAT on the ten hour drive!!!  Mostly thanks to her new ipad, which I'm pretty certain she starred at for the entire ten hours.  You gotta do what you gotta do!

We arrived at my parents' house late that night and crashed!!  The next day, I took Kyndall to my in-laws where she would be staying while I was at the beach.

Excited to spend a few days with Nonie and Poppie!

Around lunchtime on Friday, I headed down to the beach to meet up with my girls!  They had left Jackson EARLY that morning, long before I ever even rolled out of bed!  =)

Our condo on 30A was GORGEOUS!  

We spent the afternoon on the beach, then headed over to Seaside to walk around and do some shopping and eating.  I didn't take any pictures that night---shame on me!

Saturday was a gorgeous day!  We spent the whole day lounging on the beach and by the pool.  I was so busy relaxing that I again failed to take any pictures until later that night!  

Saturday night we headed to the outlet mall in Destin for some shopping before dinner.  This picture is so funny because if you know Brooke at all, you know of her love for shopping!  We were very proud of her for not buying a single thing!!  Stacie, on the other hand, racked up.....but all for her kids!  Good Mama!  =)

These two sisters can SHOP!! 

Next, dinner!

After dinner, we checked out Baytowne Wharf, where Julie and Carmen entertained us with their dancing!  =)

Sunday was another beautiful day, spent relaxing by the water.......

Sisters Anna and Katie kept us all well fed over the weekend!

Sunday afternoon, we took a short break from the sun to return down to Seaside to do some more browsing.....

Maybe I am 5 years old, but I CANNOT pass up a good snow cone!!  The ones we got at this food truck in Seaside were the BEST I've ever had!!  So yummy!!!

Some girls enjoyed snow cones........

.....While others enjoyed sushi!!  =)  (Which, by the way, I tried for the very first time!  I must say, I'm not a fan!!)

We wanted to enjoy one last sunset so we headed back down to the beach for a few hours

One of the things we really wanted to do during the weekend was to get all dressed up and go out to dinner somewhere.  We decided to do this on Sunday night, which gave me the perfect opportunity to use my camera timer and get a good picture of ALL of us!

A few goofy ones, just for fun!

We took our pretty dresses back down to.....you guessed it.....SEASIDE for dinner on the beach!  After dinner we made a run to Publix for some ice cream then back home to stuff ourselves even more than we already were.

That night, Brooke did Mary Kay facials before we went to bed

The next morning came bright and early and the girls were on their way back to Jackson by 7:30 a.m.  I stayed around a little longer because I wasn't in a hurry to get back to Tallahassee and my drive wasn't nearly as long as theirs!  

Before they left, we got a group picture of all of us wearing our new matching Seaside shirts!  There wasn't a single soul out by the pool that early in the morning, so I had to improvise and use my timer.  We were bringing boxes and baskets and all sorts of things out of the condo to try and balance my camera on.  I had it all set up and ready to jump into my spot.........

I was about to make my mad dash to my spot in line when a sweet lady came walking up and offered to take the picture for us.  She had been watching from her balcony waaaaay up above and seen my attempts to balance my camera and ever so generously came all the way down to help us out!  I love when God provides......even for the little things!  

The girls headed back to Tennessee and I returned to Tallahassee, ready to pick up my girl.  While she was with Nonie and Poppie, she too enjoyed some beach time!  They took her to Panama City over the weekend and sent me some pictures via Nonie's cell phone.......

Beach bound!

Enjoying the water park at the resort

This girl loves some watermelon.....just like her Mama!!

That's one tired baby girl!!

I think this is my favorite picture from the entire weekend......Kyndall doing the Hokey Pokey with the other kids at the resort.  Look at that tongue......serious concentration!

Back from the beach and enjoying church with Nonie and Poppie

When I picked her up Monday afternoon, we grabbed and icee and headed back to my parents house.  Before we even got five miles down the road, I looked back to find this...........

We both enjoyed a great weekend at the beach.....just not together!  =)  

I'm so glad that I stuck to my plan of going with the girls on this trip.  I had such a great time and it gave me the confidence that I need to realize that I can still do all of the things I love.....maybe even more than I could before!  Thanks to Anna, Katie, Carmen, Brooke, Stacie and Julie for welcoming me to the group and showing me a great time!  Glory, we missed you bunches, but there is always next year!!!!