First, thank you for welcoming me back to the blogosphere & for your encouraging words! It feels pretty good to be back, maybe I won’t be such a stranger!
At the end of July we headed back to McBeach. If you are new around here, this is the 3rd year we’ve bombarded the most family-friendly house on the Emerald Coast, and if you would like to read more about the house itself and see lots of pictures I will point you to this post {2009}, this post {2010}, this post {2010}, and this post by Sister, written a couple weeks ago about our recent trip. So, you should have more pictures than you’ll ever need to decide that it really is a wonderful family beach house {within walking distance from Pier Park— where Erika and I decided we’d take our kids on “the scrambler”, and we may have screamed louder than the kids!}. And should you be interested in renting it yourself, you can email me Darby@flythroughourwindow.com, and I will put your email in the inbox of the head of reservations, concierge, & owner, Miki.
I will begin by admitting that I was a poor photographer this trip. I have two excuses… humidity & no husband present. Did you know that cameras like to sit outside in the humidity for about an hour to acclimate, otherwise you get this foggy effect. I don’t have Photoshop, but if I did, I’d call this a “humid action”.
We had the most incredible weather… and the kids {& adults} had the most incredible time. We did a lot of this…
And they love the inside just as much as they love the outside…
I love this picture of Sloane… she looks like a little china doll between the blondies…
One afternoon, I braved Gulf World alone with the 4 kids… mom and Erika were held hostage at an antique shop and met me there a little later. 🙂
It was great but it was also {almost unbearably} hot and that is coming from someone who loves the heat! It was so hot that I stripped JM’s shirt off, and if it were up to him he would have been stark naked!
The rest of these pictures were graciously taken by sister…
We call Rover “Daddy Boy” when he wears his Ray Bans…
There was no shortage of good cousin play time!
As you can see, we had an amazing week! We loved spending time with cousins and family and wish that Daddy could have been there with us that week, he unfortunately had a previously scheduled appointment that week with some guy friends… and a fish hook…
We always love time with “Mom” and miss her dearly when she leaves…
Amee Love
September 1, 2011 at 7:21 amHey Darby!! Looks like y’all had a wonderful time. I would love more info on renting McBeach if you could pass my name and email along to Miki. :0) Miss y’all. Not sure if you got my message on FB the other week….Amee
Brittaney
September 1, 2011 at 7:33 amI LOVE your McBeach posts! And I scream on the scrambler too- especially when I accidentally sit on the wrong side and get a little more “scrambled” than usual.
Melissa
September 1, 2011 at 7:36 amAll four of those kiddos are just to precious for words. Looks amazing. Well everything but the fish hook
Whitney
September 1, 2011 at 7:40 amWar Eagle! Welcome back girl! So glad to check in on you and find two posts with pics of your beautiful family!
beki
September 1, 2011 at 7:52 amIt looks like a great time was had by all! These photos make me sad that we didn’t make a beach trip this summer. Had we gone, I could have passed for a beached whale, ha ha!!
Jen @ RamblingRenovators
September 1, 2011 at 7:56 amI want to go to McBeach! How cute is that bunk the girls are in? Looks like the kiddos had tons of fun. Cousin fun time is the best and one of my fondest memories of growing up too. Love the photos (except maybe the fish hook. Yeowch!).
caw
September 1, 2011 at 8:19 amso so glad you are back!!
Christy
September 1, 2011 at 8:33 amI was loving how beautiful the cousins are together and how sweet of a time it must have been for you all… then I saw a fish hook deep into Justin’s hand… ouch, ew, um who got it out, what does it look like now, no nvm I don’t want to know, gross! 😉 Love you!
paige
September 1, 2011 at 8:35 amremember when meg ryan fires up the dial up connection on her computer and then makes the cutest happy face when she hears “you’ve got mail”?…well i think that same sensation occurs when many of us open our computers & find that you’ve posted
xo
Jessica
September 1, 2011 at 8:37 amSo glad you are back!!! Looks like you had a wonderful time at the McBeach! Where oh where did you get the girls’ swimsuits?! They are adorable!!!
Melanie
September 1, 2011 at 9:46 amI love your pictures. You can tell your little brown bunnies have been enjoying the sun and surf this summer!
Mrs Rosie Posie
September 1, 2011 at 9:49 amWOW!! I am now dreaming of beautiful sunny Mcbeach days too!
Such beautiful photos too x
MorningT
September 1, 2011 at 10:09 amAlways love seeing your precious little angels. Looks like the cousins had some great bonding time.
Glad you’re back!
xo~
T
Nicky Cahill
September 1, 2011 at 10:10 amWhat stunning pictures – everyone full of love. A joy to look at. Thank you for sharing them. I have missed your blog posts, but I totally get that you needed to just be at McBeach with your family. A blessing over your autumn. Thank you for sharing these. Nics
Kristee
September 1, 2011 at 10:39 amI want to go to McBeach! You can’t beat the sand and water in that area! Love all the pics and how JM looks like Daddyboy in his Raybans. Good stuff and good times!
Christine
September 1, 2011 at 10:43 amGreat pics!!!!! Looks like a wonderful time 🙂
Regina
September 1, 2011 at 10:47 amYour pictures are amazing, as usual. Looks like a beautiful place!
polly dove
September 1, 2011 at 11:29 amSeeeeeeeeriously?!?! Every photo looks like it belongs in a catalog! GORGEOUS subjects, gorgeous scenery (and YES that house too) and gorgeous photography … even the little pale pink humid one is adorable! What beautiful children you have!
Nelle
September 1, 2011 at 12:06 pmOUCH! Your poor husband. How on earth did he get that bad boy out? Love the sandy booty shot of Paige. Erika’s booty shot of Sloane was precious last week. This is starting a trend. Happy Labor Day weekend to you all. xoxo
Kelli Davis
September 1, 2011 at 12:09 pmWow…looks like another great year. I swam with one of those dolphins at Gulf World in 2008 and it was an amazing experience. That house is just adorable…I love all of the color. Glad you all were able to make some great memories.
Ingrid
September 1, 2011 at 12:20 pmI am new to you and your sisters blog and love them both so very much. Both of them are on my everyday read list! These pictures are so beautiful and I think some of these beautiful memories need to be framed! Cousin time is so great and my girls can’t get enough! This is making me miss our usual beach trip we make in the summer. Random question…are the headbands your daughter is wearing made for girls or are they women’s? My daughter has a bob and we can’t pull it back for soccer but my headbands are too big for her. I would love to know where you got them!
Jody
September 1, 2011 at 12:33 pmI have never commented on here before, but I have been following yours and your sister’s blog for a couple years and I just wanted to say you two have the most beautiful children I have ever seen! Congrats on wonderful family and god bless!
kristen
September 1, 2011 at 12:44 pmGorgoeous pictures!! So glad you were able to meet up with your mom and sister! Fun Fun!
Julie
September 1, 2011 at 12:53 pmI love the girls’ bathing suits. I want one like that! McBeach is always decorated so beautifully.
MamaofThree
September 1, 2011 at 12:55 pmAww, I’m sure you miss home, but I think your children were meant to live at the beach, with that tan skin and bright blonde hair, they’re total surfer babies 🙂
Elizabeth
September 1, 2011 at 1:20 pmThese are the most incredible pictures in the whole world! Family!
HannahJ
September 1, 2011 at 1:43 pmSO wonderful- what a magical family vacation you all had!! That picture of JM walking toward the shore is ridiculously precious!!
Morgan
September 1, 2011 at 1:51 pmLove the pictures they are precious! Love your girls bathing suits too, where did they come from? I think we’re gonna be out of the cute bathing suits at Target after this year but I’m not ready for a big girl bathing suit yet!
Dana
September 1, 2011 at 3:55 pmLove the pics!! We just got back from Destin… You are making me jealous! Beautiful family! Are you going to be making winter honey bee tees???
Stephanie
September 1, 2011 at 3:58 pmPlease do share how your dad removed said fish hook! I once got only one of those barbs stuck in my thumb and my brother-in-law pulled it out with pliers while I drank two shots of something strong. I though I was cool for handling that and I’m a girly girl so I’m just curious if you dad considered this manly fun or did he end up in urgent care : )
shea
September 1, 2011 at 4:24 pmHoly moly fish hook! I’m still cringing! As always, thank you for sharing your beautiful tan family with us. 🙂
Cherish @ Southern Soul Mates
September 1, 2011 at 5:27 pmAbsolutely gorgeous pictures of the kids!! They are stunning in their own unique ways! Sloane does look like a little China doll in that one pic, and I have always thought JM looks so much like your dad-and he especially does with the Ray Bans. 🙂 What a wonderful trip!!
Emily L.
September 1, 2011 at 5:44 pmI was just telling my husband last night that I missed PCB and wished it was an option to move there. Sigh.. maybe one day.
kristen
September 1, 2011 at 5:56 pmoh my goodness, darby, you are a strong woman! that is so so hard! just because its pretty there, does not make that easier! and being without your husband, moving and starting school!! that is so much!!! i am praying for you. we just started my oldest in kindergarten and it was so hard! we recently moved also and move again in a year and a half or so, so I totally understand how hard it is to start over and be alone and want to know what God wants you to do with your free time and your new life. I know you will do the most amazing things with yours- you already are!! so inspiring and encouraging to us all!
Lesley
September 1, 2011 at 6:14 pmSimply magical…
Melissab74
September 1, 2011 at 7:11 pmSuch fun times! The kids will always remember the “cousin time” they had growing up. That’s one of my favorite memories of childhood. My favorite cousin lived about 2 hours away, so it was a big deal when we’d get to visit! Now, she’s like the sister I’ve never had. I bet these four kiddos will be the same way!
Jill
September 1, 2011 at 8:48 pmIn my very humble opinion, you {and Erika} need to have more babies!! Your children are too adorable to not keep ’em comin!! Don’t you agree?? I know, way easier said than done! 🙂
Deanne @ Delighted
September 1, 2011 at 8:57 pmYour children are so beautifully tan! I must admit, I’m a bit jealous, as I’m a very fair-skinned, freckled red-head. And that blonde hair is just angelic!
Jenna
September 1, 2011 at 9:00 pmSo fun! And I’ve got to know – where, oh, where did you get the girl’s swimsuits??? They are below adorable!
tara
September 2, 2011 at 8:09 amsloan DOES look like a china doll between your two blondies. 🙂
love the picture of your sweet boy walking toward the ocean with his back to the camera…thinking that one needs to be framed.
and the one of him in his ray bans…..how in the WORLD does he not lose a pair of ray bans? those things would last ten whole minutes with one of my kiddos.
Lindsey
September 2, 2011 at 5:34 pmYour kids are beautiful! And you are great with a camera.
Thanks for letting us “Fly through your window”
chris
September 2, 2011 at 9:13 pmi love the pictures of the kids, sandy buns and all. reminds me of when my 3 were little and in swimsuits all the time. of course i had a camera in their face too! who could risk forgetting this?
thanks for sharing and the fish hook looks painful. ouch.
Bobi Bobbitt
September 2, 2011 at 9:51 pmWow! What amazing pictures! And that fish hook… OUCH! Have been meaning to tell you about this little movie that my kids love, it is Veggie Tales “The Land of Ha’s”… the main character is named Darby ( instead of Dorothy)… if you haven’t seen it, you would love it! (:
Ann
September 2, 2011 at 11:34 pmWonderful pictures! Just ordered 2 tees, can’t wait for them to arrive!
Regan @ The Professional Palate
September 3, 2011 at 5:41 amI never cease to be amazed by how beautiful your pics are. Looks like a wonderful summer!
mary beth
September 3, 2011 at 2:17 pmYou are making me miss the beach! We moved out to the midwest from the east coast this year and I just want the ocean back more than anything. Lovely photos and I’m sure you had an equally lovely time. 🙂 I’m so thrilled you are back to posting on here too. I make your recipes every week. So much so that I have self proclaimed myself your Julie in the “Julie & Julia” equation. 😉 Thanks for taking the time to post…I know how hard it is to fit it in with three kiddos.
Lindsey
September 3, 2011 at 6:58 pmLove all the photos! So glad you all had such a wonderful time at McBeach. I know these are times the kiddos will never forget! The photo of JM with his Ray Bands is priceless. Sorry the hubs couldn’t join you 🙁
Kristen
September 3, 2011 at 9:59 pmThe picture of the sunset is absolutely gorgeous!!
Misha
September 3, 2011 at 10:37 pmomg, that photo with the fish hook. I think my stomach clinched.
I loved looking at the photos of your sweet family though 🙂
angela
September 4, 2011 at 5:59 amI know your mother must LOVE the pictures of the four of them together!
I mentioned YOU on my blog post today.
Meg Milam
September 4, 2011 at 6:44 pmHi! I’ve been following your blog (and your sisters) for quite a while now. Two very inspiring women! I was very inspired when I read about the challenging situation that you’ve been in, with your husband working so far away and you balancing the children and house! You must be exhausted! I have a 1 year old son and for the past two years my husband has been working on a career change, that involves him balancing several jobs with long hours, volunteering, taking classes, etc.(We usually end up with one day off together every month or so, and because he is trying to become a fireman, he is usually gone for several days at a time on various shifts). So nonetheless, while working full time I bear the brunt of the childrearing and house, all while trying to be supportive of him reaching his goals. We find ourselves so worn down by the process, but we keep keep’n on because we know that in the end it will be so sweet to have him in a career that he loves and to have lots more family time
So I appreciate hearing your story, as it is easy to think that everyone else’s life out in blogland is perfect, when in truth I know that all young families face there own set of challenges.
I enjoy all of your photos! And you have a beautiful family. Beautiful! Glad to see that you are got to enjoy such a great summer together in the sun!
Katie@ Noodle and Boof
September 4, 2011 at 10:07 pmSo fun! Glad y’all are enjoying the beach! Don’t be a stranger!
Cami {Cami's Paperie}
September 5, 2011 at 7:31 amI’m glad you’re back. That hook in the hand makes me want to faint. Ouch! Just hang in there, the new surroundings will feel like home soon. It’s sweet that you’re kids are already liking school and adjusting so well. Keep us posted 🙂
Andrea
September 5, 2011 at 8:31 amI’m so glad you’re back! McBeach looks McDreamy 🙂 I totally understand your feelings about moving. I’ve moved twice in the past 4 years with many tears, but it’s turned out so great both times. Our big event this year is playing host to a girl from Germany. I’m finding God’s plans are never boring (smile).
Michelle
September 20, 2011 at 8:27 amwhere did the girls cute suits come from? They are adorable!!!
Lauren J
September 30, 2011 at 9:54 amI know you already know what are blessing they are but I can’t help but tell you, you have the most beautiful children. They are so gorgeous and happy and healthy it just kind of brings joy to my heart even though I’ve never met any of you. I adore your beautiful photos and your darling little family!
Kristy Glanton
October 23, 2011 at 9:57 pmLove your blog and glad you are back!!! I love the swimsuits….where did you get them??? TKS!!!