Beach vacation 2012

Luckily this summer we got to take a nice week long trip to Orange Beach at the end of July.  These beach trips have gotten so nice b/c the girls are so into the water now that Mark and I can relax and have a few beverages while they swim.  

Our annual tradition is to pack a picnic lunch for the way there and stop at the Alabama state line:

Mark and Emma at the rest stop.

Timer picture with my camera

 We stayed at Seaside Beach and Racquet Club in Orange Beach.  Here is our view from the condo:

The weather was kinda up and down the whole time we were there so we had to take advantage of the good weather when we had it.  As soon as we unpacked, we headed to the beach.

Emma and her boogie board

Katie and hers

Surfer Girl

 So a few beach trips ago, the girls discovered The Hangout and now it is one of their favorite places.  It can be insanely crowded at night, but they actually do a great breakfast every morning.  We did that for the first time this trip and it was wonderful.  There is a Pirate and Princess theme and they even do a scavenger hunt for the little ones.  Its no Disney character meal, but a nice time.

mom and Katie

Dad and Emma

Beignets!  The girls' favorite

The beginning of the scavenger hunt (Emma is in there somewhere!)

So here is the cool thing about Facebook.  I have loved getting in touch with some of Mark and I's favorite former students and players.  One of the one's I am "friends" with is a ball player from Belaire days named Brad.  We were at the Hangout and he was there with his family (wife and two kids!) - makes us feel kinda old!

Brad and Mark 

Emma and one of the "princesses" at The Hangout

Me and my honey on the beach

 My sister, Kim and her husband Richard met us at the beach on Thursday of that week and we had a great time hanging out the Nannie Kim and "Mr. Wizard".  That night we ate seafood at Wentzels.  It was wonderful.

Katie and Nannie Kim

the Carroll family photo

Nannie Kim and Mr. Richard

Emma tries raw oysters for the first time

She decided she wasn't too crazy about them

The next day we had more beach time - taking advantage of the good weather times:

My beach bum

The whole gang visiting having beverages!

Representing LSU among all these damn Alabama fans!

Missy looking kinda rough here!

Mr. Richard burying the girls

Peek a boo!

The family got a lot of sun that day, so the next morning we decided to take a break from the sand and waves and do some goofy golf at Adventure Island.  Mark kept score and supposedly he won, but I didn't verify this!

Say cheese!

The lefties playing some serious golf!

We had a great time and were sad to go home.  But Jovi and Lilo were so happy to see us.  Unfortunately reality sets in as we get home and start to prepare for the beginning of school! Bye bye beach - see you next year!