The Hoopers: destin vacation

Approximately 6 hours after I got home from Girl's Camp, we left on our trip to Destin (talk about exhausted after only have 45 minutes of sleep the night before). Exhausted or not, we made it and we were MORE than ready for a relaxing week at the beach with friends.

That Sunday was Father's Day. We felt a little guilty spending Father's Day on vacation with other families, but we tried to make it special. We sure love this guy and are SO happy to have him as the DAD in our family. These boys really do look up and admire that man. He's the best!

The Cooks brought their Wii and any free moment the boys got, they were up close to that TV playing. I'm pretty sure Boston played MORE than his fair share of time for the summer.

Hey, it was vacation.

After our Father's Day dinner, we told the kids we would take a walk on the beach. Well, with boys a walk along the sand doesn't stay that way for very long.

Quickly, they were soaking wet even though they were TOLD to stay out of the water.

The next morning we loaded the men up and set up shop on the beach for the day. The kids can honestly play ALL day at the beach. Something about white sand and clear water that can keep them busy for hours.

The Smiths rented this kayak for a few hours. Hudson was all for it but got a little nervous when we almost tipped. I was a little nervous because there had been shark sightings at other beaches near so I was keeping my eyes PEELED.

After getting a little too much sun and a few rashes from all the boogie boarding, we decided the next day we would take a break and head for a movie instead.

"How to Train a Dragon 2" really was a cute movie.

This sweet little baby Grace is a celeb in our home. Hudson always talks about how I have baby Grace in my belly...it's taken some reiteration to tell him otherwise.

Even though Hudson doesn't looked thrilled in this picture, I'm not sure WHAT boy wasn't excited about riding the train around the mall.

The next day we went a little more prepared at the beach for the boogie boarding. I'm not a mom who buys rash guards (they aren't my thing) but I learned that in this case, they are probably necessary. So we improvised and used one of Boston's shirts made of similar material. He didn't want to take that thing off all day. I think that rash made him paranoid.

Hudson ONLY wanted Kent at the beach. He is Kent's mini me. So, they hung out in the water all day

Until he finally conked.

Shortly after laying him down, Cooper told his parents he wanted to lay down like Hudson and he passed right out too! They slept for at least 2 hours!

Boston was determined to dig a hole to the other side of the world. It was all fine and dandy until people kept falling into it when he took breaks between digging.

Hudson become quite the little fish while we were there and even swam without floaties at the pool. He just DID it and caught Kent and I completely OFF guard.

I have zero pictures of me on this trip. This is the proof that I was actually there.

That night we went in search for ghost crabs. It took us a little bit to find some but after awhile we starting collecting quite a few (thank goodness for dads).

The biggest crab was gifted to us by some kids on the beach. He died shortly the next morning.

The next day the dad's rented some of these scootercars. They were quite entertaining.

The kids LOVED just playing at the pool. Pretty sure I need one when we buy our house. How else do you keep them entertained all summer long in the Texas heat? To have one in your backyard would make life SO much easier.

We went out to dinner with our BIG group. I think it's the only shot we got of everyone together (minus Kent for taking the picture). It was such a beautiful evening and the kids ran and played out on the grass after dinner.

The next day was our final and last full day in Destin. The Buchanan's took us hermit crab hunting under the bridge that brings you into Destin. I was surprised at how many everyone found. The Cook's kids even convinced them to take some home as pets. Bless them.

By the way, water under the bridge isn't NEARLY as pretty as the water on the beach.

Then, we headed to the beach for our last day. Boston made us re-dig a new hole with him.

Boston and I spent quite a bit of time out in the water just floating on the boogie board and talking. Loved our little bonding time.

The kids built a little home for the hermit crabs on the beach.

And Hudson decided he wanted to be HALF buried in the hole he dug.

I can't pass up buying matching swimsuits. Having one boy in the big boy section and one in little boy section makes it difficult to find matching stuff. So when I spot it, I buy it....even if it's NOT needed sometimes.

I know, I have a sickness.

By the end of the week, we were wiped but in a good way. Hudson went and put himself to bed that evening and we didn't even know it until I walked in and saw him passed out.