Hello rovers! I’m on the verge of zonking out after a busy day back in reality! Because I know myself all too well, I am stepping it up and going to post about our beach getaway before it gets away from me. I have so many little things on my mind that I feel a random “brain dump” post in my not too distant future. For now, I will savor the moments of last week with my family in a little corner of paradise.
As I mentioned in the last post we were back at McBeach <– link to last year’s post and lots of house pictures … {in Panama City Beach within walking distance to Pier Park} for the second year in a row. McBeach is very kid friendly and the huge porch {where girls are playing “kitchen” above} is completely gated and outfitted with an adult size baby pool, which is essential for adults {like us} who can’t stay out of baby pools. I must say that my favorite part about the porch is the outdoor shower that didn’t require anyone to bend over a bath tub for a bath!! And I really happen to love the fact that the porch is ON the beach so the view’s not too shabby either! If you are interested in rates/availability email me {darby@flythroughourwindow.com} and I will get your info to Miki, who has become a dear friend of mine. I haven’t sent her random pictures in about 3 days and I’m wondering if she’s completely relieved! 🙂 I probably blew up her inbox with play by plays of the kids {big, small and 4-legged} enjoying every minute of our stay!
Rover was in heaven with the sand. I’d bring a bucket of sand up to the deck and he’d work in that sand pile for hours with his trucks!
When the surf was up we spent the better part of the day doing a LOT of boogie boarding. My body told me many times I was too old for boogie boarding but somehow I didn’t listen! And don’t tell her I told you this, but I even convinced “Mom” to get out there on a boogie board! I love that she’s not too old or too cool for ANYTHING… even boogie boarding. I unfortunately didn’t get any shots of her riding the waves!
Morgan is my fearless five-year-old and could have ridden waves from sun up to sun down…
My sister tells me skulls and crossbones are in… I’m so glad I was able to fashionably ride the waves.
The Raiger on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with the waves and was content on the porch!
That’s McBeach behind her, complete with beach towels and baby pool!
On Labor Day we watched fireworks from the porch…
And another evening we attempted to take pictures on the beach…
Which I might add, is much easier SAID than DONE! Especially at that very difficult hour that is GREAT for lighting but TERRIBLE for tired TODDLERS!! {In case you are wondering where Justin is in these pictures… he had to leave us during the week to work… it was sad not having him there with us! But we are thankful for the work!}
In addition to a mean sunglass tan, I’m sporting my new Kayce Hughes dress and the girls are too! We were so glad they arrived in time for our beach getaway! Due to nose picking, eye rubbing, and hiding behind mommy our beach pictures were cut short by a slightly frustrated mommy who wanted three little rovers in bed more than I wanted to torment them for half-way decent pictures!
{ok, I couldn’t stay up long enough to finish my post… I went to bed and had a crazy dream that I went back to work at the DMV and had to take Morgan to work with me… it was so real and she had to play underneath my desk}
While we were at the beach we also had the pleasure to spend a little time with Miki and Mac at their new place which has a fabulous “community center” complete with shallow entry pool and other wonderful amenities!! I thought we’d stay a couple hours but we could hardly pull ourselves away!
Our afternoons were usually accompanied by ice cream or popsicles… Rover really loves ice cream, but not as much as he loves his DaddyBoy!
We wrapped our beach vacation up with a big birthday celebration for Sloane at Erika’s house! It was a fun and festive gathering with fun and festive people! And the most precious little birthday girl!
The Raiger is easily intimidated by a crowd…
There was a smorgasbord of wonderful food and a whole slew of kiddos in really cute hats that Erika made!
The Rover even had a pre-party haircut and was GOOD boy for it! He was looking a little scraggly and occasionally mushroom-y so we tamed his mane!
This is my beautiful friend Allyson with her youngest son in-utero and oldest son playing at her feet. Isn’t her dress beautiful… maybe she can enlighten us in the comments as to where she got it!?
Our whole getaway was an absolute blast, having my whole family all together made it all the better and I will let you all in on a little secret: September is an excellent time to go to the beach!!
Be back soon with random brain dump…
Jessica
September 14, 2010 at 8:40 amIt looks like you guys had fun! We were supposed to take our RV to a beach near there that weekend but we changed our minds. Now, I wish I had gone! Maybe next year!
Love your dress!
Katharina
September 14, 2010 at 8:42 amThe pictures are soooo beautiful….thanks for taking the time and getting the “beach post” of the list!
Becky
September 14, 2010 at 9:01 amI love all these pictures! Looks like a wonderful time! Where did Erika find those balloons? I am planning my girls bday party, and those are the colors I had in mind! Love the balloons and the hats!
Ashley
September 14, 2010 at 9:02 amwhat a great morning post to wake up to! LOVE all of the pictures 🙂 The pics of you and the girls in your dresses are precious 🙂
Gayle
September 14, 2010 at 9:30 amLooks like so much fun. Love the red/white dresses. The polka dot balloons are so cute also.
Cath
September 14, 2010 at 9:33 amSo fun. Thanks for the mini vacation through your photos.
Erica
September 14, 2010 at 9:39 amIt looks like you all had an amazing time at the beach! My husband grew up in Niceville, FL, and my in-laws still live there. Your pictures remind me of how beautiful the area is. Your family is so beautiful!
Linley
September 14, 2010 at 9:55 amHey Darb! Love the red dress, I have been eyeing it since you posted her site… now I must order it!! Love ya!!
Jessica @ These Are The Days
September 14, 2010 at 9:59 amLove all the beach pics once again. I love the red and white outfits!! I also love all the polka dot party stuff. 🙂
Sara Jane
September 14, 2010 at 10:06 amLove JM’s new haircut! Looks like a fun time!
Micaela
September 14, 2010 at 10:20 amYour children are ridiculously gorgeous! Makes me excited for my own blonde headed baby to arrive in January!
Julie @ Connell Tales
September 14, 2010 at 10:36 amI love your posts! They are so cute and your children, adorable. 🙂
Melissa
September 14, 2010 at 10:48 amMcBeach looks amazing. I want to go!! I love those dreses you and the girls wore. so very very cute.
Beth
September 14, 2010 at 11:06 amWe are headed down just a few miles from McBeach this weekend! Your post has me so ready to be there. And you’re so right, September is a great time to be at the beach! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
anon
September 14, 2010 at 11:14 amyour dress is the cutest thing ever ! i just went to their website and ordered a different one. thank you for the window into your beautiful life and for sharing WHERE to find things !
paige
September 14, 2010 at 11:19 amoh darby, you are entirely too cute. i love the red gingham dress on you…so cute!! even if your little ones were ‘seepy’. precious sloane too
your mom is gorgeous….goodness gracious. random, but i saw her on erika’s fb. does she know she’s a rockstar too!?
xo
Tippy
September 14, 2010 at 11:23 amWhile as a mom I totally understand your frustration not getting the perfect beach picture – these have a sweetness all on their own. Love the whole beach area down there. Makes me want to go right now!
Nelle
September 14, 2010 at 11:45 amThe balloons and cupcake flags are too precious for words. Your photos are beautiful as ever.
Adriana
September 14, 2010 at 12:05 pmThat beach house looks amazing! I remember reading the post about it a year ago. It’s great to get together with family. Good job on getting your Rover to be semi-calm while cutting his hair!
Tessa
September 14, 2010 at 12:10 pmDarby, Grab JM and watch this with him… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXhhXXsxSfE
My almost 2 year old gets giddy with joy when he sees it. Plus the song will have you laughing too. I promise.. It’s funny.. Make sure the sound is up. 🙂
Tessa
Heidi
September 14, 2010 at 12:15 pmI had the same maternity dress. It is from Target. I got mine for like $5 or something crazy! It was about 8 months ago when I got it so they are all gone.
Carolyn
September 14, 2010 at 12:43 pmYour family is so dang cute. Those red dresses are so pretty on y’all. I was like Paige when I was little and still now sometimes too!
Lee-Anne Fenwick
September 14, 2010 at 1:08 pmDarby – LOVE LOVE LOVE reading your blog 🙂 I even read it while in China 🙂 So glad you guys had a nice family vaca….cherish the memories. Much love
Cat from iBlog
September 14, 2010 at 1:38 pmI loved all your pictures! Even the ones in the red/white dresses! beautiful smiles all around. I love the beach this time of year, too. IN fact, we are going first of Oct. to Rosemary beach and we love to go that time of year every year. Think I already told you that…… oh well….
Great party! Happy Birthday little baby girl!
Andrea
September 14, 2010 at 1:48 pmHi there! I love love love the mommy + children shots where you’re all in a version of red! So sweet! I also love seeing your son play with the trucks. I love little boys. Having one of my own made me realize how special they are. ***** Please please please. Anyone who reads this, keep me in your prayers. Shamelessly and humbly I ask. ****** Thank you so so so much. And thank you for sharing the fun times of your life with us. ***** andrea
Ashley
September 14, 2010 at 2:04 pmLOVE the maternity dress… I wore it all the time when I was preggers. Gotta love target!
Ashley
September 14, 2010 at 2:32 pmI agree that September is the best time to go to the beach! My husband and I were in Destin last Sunday – Wednesday, for a vaca over the holiday. Oh, how I miss it! Stinks to be back in AR. Your pictures are wonderful! I wish we had taken more but we were trying to enjoy our time, sometimes the camera is forgotten. Thank you for sharing your stories with us!
Allyson
September 14, 2010 at 2:32 pmHey Friend!! I LOVED the recap ( I don’t think people come any more likeable than you!!) and then was honored to see me, C and my dress at the bottom :). Yep, the dress is from Target. A sweet friend let me borrow it so I can take no credit for even picking it out, but so glad it’s a hit :). I’ll wear it more often! LOVED spending time with you!!
Colleen
September 14, 2010 at 3:03 pmbeautiful photos and gorgeous children. looks like a lovely vacation.
lizziefitz
September 14, 2010 at 3:23 pmShoot, Darn, Drat!! I had that Kayce dress in my “cart” ,on sale and my size but had to go to a college recruiter night with oldest. By the time I got back it was GONE. You look amazing in it:)
the domestic fringe
September 14, 2010 at 3:23 pmGorgeous, gorgeous photos! You make me realize how much I need a vacation. Glad you enjoyed your time away.
-FringeGirl
erika (mommasissy)
September 14, 2010 at 3:57 pmi love you and this blog post. that picture of you and mom is fantastic. you are beautiful. end of story. xo
rhonda
September 14, 2010 at 4:51 pmwonderful post as always. too bad you can’t photoshop JM into one of the pics of you and the girls! I remember letting my girls play at that age, and ended up with a couple of good shots (of course I wasn’t in them- but maybe that is a tip for future trips to cut down on the crankiness)
Caroline
September 14, 2010 at 5:28 pm1. Rover needs to be put in time out for growing so fast. Stop it right now boy!
2. I would LOVE love love to see some pictures of your sweet parents when they were younger.
3. Yes, I do think I’m weird for wanting to see pictures of the parents of someone I’ve never met!
style'n
September 14, 2010 at 6:09 pmOh I love all your pictures and those red dresses are fabulous. I am off to check out that site.
naina
Leiane
September 14, 2010 at 6:18 pmYour pics look straight out of Coastal Living! I can’t decide which I would like more…the beach or that pool :O)
Dianne
September 14, 2010 at 6:41 pmThis looks like the perfect family vacation. So glad you had fun and made so many memories.
Tell me…does Erika still have her fur babies? We never hear of them anymore. Have they been demoted to dogs? 🙂
Your whole family is beautiful but Paige sure steals my heart!! She seems so sweet and shy.
love to all! xoxo
Kristen Ellis
September 14, 2010 at 6:43 pmHi Darby, what a great post! I am fairly new to blogging and wanted so say how much I love to read yours. I’m a big fan! McBeach looks like pardise! Take care and happy blogging.
Melissab74
September 14, 2010 at 7:35 pmOh Darby! I always LOVE reading about your adventures and seeing those beautiful pictures! Love the outfits for the beach pics and Rover’s new haircut too!
amanda
September 14, 2010 at 7:40 pmLooks wonderful…I sooo wanted your dress but she was sold out, I did however, get some beautiful clothes for Chrsitian and Charlotte, her prices were a.mazing for that sale!
Ashley
September 14, 2010 at 7:40 pmit looks like a fabulous vacation. such sweet memories. 🙂
Melanie
September 14, 2010 at 8:37 pmSounds like you had a great vacation. All the photos are lovely.
Justine
September 14, 2010 at 8:53 pmLove all of these photos – and your dresses are too cute. 🙂
julia
September 14, 2010 at 9:18 pmOnce again, I love Kayce Hughes’ clothes. Great pictures. Any shopping info on those balloons?
Kristen
September 14, 2010 at 9:54 pmLove the dresses!! September is my favorite time to go to the beach. We are going this month and I can’t wait!:)
Abby Maddox
September 15, 2010 at 12:21 pmThose pictures of you and the kids in those dresses on the beach are so cute I just want to pinch you all!! I feel like JM is a heartbreaker…he’s breaking mine at least. Miss yall! Lovin’ our shirts (and Dapples has been wearing the Bronco shirt while we wait for little brother. the gray on a girl fits right in out here :))
kayce hughes
September 15, 2010 at 8:22 pmYou are all the most beautiful models ever! You have made my day.
Tara
September 16, 2010 at 8:59 amYa’ll are beautiful, looks so fun and relaxing there. My parents are in Panama City right now with friends, I’m thinking we need to go to MCbeach house next summer…with all 7 grkids…
Jennifer
September 16, 2010 at 1:22 pmThese pictures are giving me some SERIOUS beach fever. Love the new dresses! So cute.
Paula
September 17, 2010 at 4:51 pmLove your photos…and with a 50? I so need a new something(namely camera) to reinvigorate my interest in photography!
melissa stover
September 17, 2010 at 4:52 pmwhat a beautiful place! we haven’t been to the beach in ages.
Amy Reyes
September 19, 2010 at 1:49 pmThank you for sharing all of your beach pictures, they are beautiful. What a blessing to have your family all together. You and your sister are just lovely!
Shar
September 21, 2010 at 8:01 amI loved everything about this post. EVERYTHING!!Thank you so much for continuing to share your beautiful family with all of us. And, tell your Mom that I went boogie boarding last year at the ripe age of 60! It was my first time, and i loved it. My grandkids think I am cool and that’s enough for me!
Dusti Wofford
February 18, 2012 at 12:19 amHi, I love you and your sisters blog. I wondered how I could get a hold of the owners of McBeach as I would love to rent for a vacation in the summer. Thanks.
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