Meet The Early's: Vacation 2013

We just recently got home from vacation and I can honestly say I came back very well rested. The weather was not so great in Florida this year, but at least we were able to take some time off from work and rest which I desperately needed.
Our house was right on the beach this year which was nice, but I can honestly say I don't think I have ever climbed so many stairs! Stairs to the beach and four flights of stairs through the house. With all the stairs you would have thought I wouldn't have gained so much weight in a weeks time:)
The kids had a great time getting together, and you would have never guessed that they were stuck inside for so many days. They made forts, made up dances, played kickball in the rain, went crab hunting, watched movies, and so many more memories were made. I think they were just happy being together. It is too bad that we adults were doom and gloom because of the the conditions we couldn't change.
Briley loved playing in the ocean. I think she could be a happy beach bum boogie boarding all day long. Baylor was a little scared at first, but he slowly warmed up to playing in the water. He also enjoyed feeding the birds his crackers, and taking naps in our lap. He also spent a lot of time taking care of all of the babies. He is ready to be a big brother.
On Tuesday we celebrated Mike and Mary Carol's 40th wedding anniversary with a perfect dinner on the lawn. The night was beautiful and everything went smoothly. Sara and Ryan were in charge of the delicious dinner. After we ate, we watched a slideshow that Molly had put together about their life together which was fun. We finished the evening with a little crab hunting on the beach.
One evening we decided to go to Seaside for dinner just to get out of the house. I had been craving grits from the Great Southern Cafe and I am so glad we decided to go eat there. They have this dish called grits a ya-ya that I look forward to every year.
On our last day we went to the beach between the rain and that night Andy and I took Ellie, Briley, and Baylor to Seaside one last time to get some Frostbites. We sat at a bench in the ampitheatre which was completely deserted. Maybe because there was five feet of water in it.
We left early on Monday morning and made it to St. Louis by that evening. Andy had some properties to look at in the area for work on Monday so Briley, Baylor, and I went to the zoo with the Sedlak's, Bobzien's, Lissy, and Grandma and Papa. It was fun seeing the new baby elephant, penguins, and seals. Briley and Baylor love going to the zoo...even in the heat!