Welcome to T-Town

It would have been a shame to leave Florida without a single boat outing, so we penciled one in Thursday morning.

With all twenty of us aboard, the boat was susceptible to capsizing (something we learned the hard way on a previous vacation!), so we took it out in two shifts. 

I went with crew #2 which included Jimmy, Laura, Andy, Kirby and my dad.


We set up shop in Crab Beach and dove into the perfectly chilled water.


Captain Jimmy, the adventure seeker of the family, struggled to balance on the paddle board,


so he stuck to swimming like the rest of us.


On our way back into town, Andy, Kirb and I picked up lunch at Cowgirl Kitchen--a quaint market/café/bakery down the street from our house where they claim the "beach meets West."


Its kitschy decor and casual vibe made for an idyllic setting for a late afternoon sandwich to tide us over 'til dinner.


After several rounds of "categories" in the pool, I took Cecilia to get a bracelet she had her eye on all week in town. Meanwhile, it was date night for everyone else; needless to say, I mastered the art of 3rd, 5th, 7th and even 9th wheeling on this trip.


I stayed back and watched the last half of Toy Story 3 (inevitably a tear-jerker which hits home extra hard with the youngest kids being named Andy and Molly) with my nieces and nephews in the media room.

Post bedtime, those of us that stayed back drank wine and ate cheese on the porch (and Pops had his nightly cigar). We greeted the couples one by one as they made it back and as they filed in, I couldn't help but take in the rare occasion of all of us being together.


The last full day rolled around and us girls came to the conclusion that if the boys can spend an afternoon indulging in one of their favorite activities, golf, so can we.


{La Crema Tapas + Chocolate bar -- where Spain comes to Rosemary beach}
Our activity of choice was a combination of


shopping (surprise!) in Rosemary Beach,


sipping white wine and


sharing a chocolate molten cake from La Crema--a tapas and chocolate bar.


On our way back, we house browsed in posh Alys beach, and made a pit stop at the restaurant two of the couples dined at the night before--Caliza.


The gorgeous homes in Alys prove worthy of the beachfront views they call their backyard. I have a fourth and final installment of my trip recap for BOD, but as for now, I wish you a great shortened week leading up to the 4th!