Liam's 1st Beach Trip

August 17-24, 2013  we took a family vacation to Port St. Joe, Florida.  I have to say that I was skeptical because I do not like change.  I loved this place.  The trip didn't start off as planned.  We left late Friday night so that we would get there early Saturday morning and have all day to play and unpack.  I had the Armada's oil changed, tuned up, tires rotated, professionally cleaned and a new tank of gas put in it.  We all packed up and started out after a few stops to get snacks and caffeine to keep us up.  As I am driving down the interstate something is wrong with the Armada.  When I get to 70-75mph the whole car starts shaking.  So we pulled off on the Pelham exit and tried to think of all the things that could be wrong.  We finally decided it had to be the tires so we turned around and headed back to the house to change over to Ryan's truck.  Once that was over the rest of the trip went smoothly.  The guys rode in my dad's truck.  The girl's drove Ryan's truck and John and JoAnn drove the Crossfire.  I don't see how they drove 8 hours in that little car!  I have to spread out!  Liam did good and slept most of the way.  A few melt downs but we made sure to make pit stops and get him out and move around.   

We finally made it Saturday morning and started unpacking.  We all couldn't wait to see Liams reaction to the ocean. His first time to the beach was so cute.  I figured he might freak out with the sand but he loved. it.  It took him a little while to get used to the water washing on the shore but he got over that real quick.  Here he is wearing his birthday suit.  

First steps in the sand!

Here was our house.  It was amazing!  It was right on the beach.  Except for the color pink, it was perfect.  I wish we could just pick it up and move it to Manchester.  It had the perfect layout!  Each couple had their own king size bed and bathroom.  School had started back and we pretty much had the whole beach to ourselves.  The water was not as clear as I expected it but it didn't stop us.  They say we were so close to the bayou and we were getting stuff coming from there and that the water always looked like that.  There were more shells than I had ever seen on a beach.  We picked out some and brought them home to make crafts.  

The beach wore him out!  He couldn't even finish his PB&J!

Liam and Papa spending some quality time at the beach.

Here was our view.  It was so beautiful there!

Building sandcastles with Aunt Maggie.  I was surprised how much he loved the sand!

As part of the Barker tradition we spent a few days flying kites while we were on the beach.  It was super windy at times and perfect for kites.  Some were better at it than others.  I blame it on the kite :)

Eating out at Killer Seafood.

Ryan and I decided to save our Anniversary dinner for Florida.  We took out the Crossfire with the top down.  We ate at a place called Sunset Bar & Grill.  We both had tuna steak, which is my favorite Florida meal!  On our way back, out of no where, it started pouring down rain!  We had to pull over and put the top up.  But it was still a good anniversary dinner!

Grandpa, tell me bout the good ole days. 

My three favorite men!

Eating out at Papa Joe's Oyster Bar.  I loved all the little hometown oysters bars.  There weren't any chain restaurants which was nice.  We found one of Liam's favorites while we were there, Shrimp!

The house also had a hot tub and pool so that when we wanted a change from the beach we could swim in the pool or soak in the hot tub without having to walk or go somewhere else.  Drink of the week was Pina Coladas! They were yummy!  We cooked breakfast every morning or ate cereal.  Lunch consisted of sandwiches and dips.  We ate out half of the week and the other half we at in.  On the first night we ate at a place called Bailey's Oyster Bar.  I am so used to eating at chain seafood restaurants what when we pulled into this place we were all skeptical.  Besides the wait for our food it turned out not too bad.  My favorite place was Indian Pass Raw Bar.  It was a little hole in the wall place with some of the best crab legs I have ever had.  It reminded me of Freddie's.  They had coolers with drinks that you would pick out your drink, keep your tab and then when you went to pay for your food you gave them the tabs and that is how they charged you for drinks.  Talk about honor system!  Apalachicola has some of the best oyster beds in that area, that is why all the restaurants are oyster bars.  Turns out this year the oysters weren't so good because of too much fresh water and a lot of these places didn't have the oysters they were used to.  Food is one of my favorite parts of vacation.  I am regretting all the food I ate now that I am home and have gained all the weight I worked so hard to loose all year long!

On the day we left we spent the morning packing and taking pictures of the place.  I would put those on here but I already have too many pictures so far.  We were sad to leave because we had so much fun and enjoyed each others company.  Most people can't say that a week with parents and in laws turns out to be fun but it was!  We all get along so well and I am so thankful for that!

On our way back home we decided to go through Panama City Beach.  We made a pit stop at Pineapple Willy's for lunch.

Liam loved the fact that everyone was in the same house.  He had everyone there to tend to his every need.  He had about 4 Ipad's to play on if one was taken.  He had his own play room with a TV to watch his movies.  It took some adjusting when we got home.  It is definitely a tradition that I hope we keep up!

When we got home we took the Armada to the shop.  Come to find out one of the tires was separating and we had to buy new tires.  I'm glad we found out before we got too far into the trip!