After our family photos on the Destin beach, we headed to meet Torrey & Kat at Stinkys. Apparently we got the salesman waiter (I’m not a huge fan of servers who just tell me what they think I wanna hear)…but that didn’t take away from the food…which was amazing. like quick-lick-the-drops-of-sauce-off-the-table-top-kinda-amazing.
This is probably the best tasting food we had our entire time there. Overall – A! Bravo! Golf Clap! (below is Kat’s dinner – it had some kinda crab cake, seafood pot pie, and fish)
The last two days we had there were overcast and a little cold. We were all feeling a little worn out from the excessive eating and beaching and most folks decided that they were gonna leave a day early. Us – being the cheapos that we are – wanted to milk the vacation for all it was worth and stayed.
On Saturday, we stayed outta the way while most everyone packed their cars – here’s Will with a demonstration of how to pack the essentials:
We talked Jeff & Jill (Lola’s folks) into staying Saturday and leaving really early Sunday. It was nice because Lola and Will were pretty much on the same schedule and it made it a smidge easier to hang out.
Watch those eyes buddy.
The outside of the rental place was really nice. I love the arched windows and the little terraces.
The inside was well-suited for our needs. I do need to remember to bring more socks next time I go to the beach. I always forget these places have tile floors and they are constantly sandy and dirty. (why yes, that is a play area we made for the kids right next to the bar…where else?!)
The one thing I will always remember about this place is the stairs. There were four flights of spiral staircase…only one person could fit (the treads were really narrow) and they were steep. Thankfully all the kids were very aware of them and stayed the heck away. And we all left with better calves than when we arrived.
Mostly Will got to use the elevator. Thank the heavenly host for the elevator.
We joked that we need one in our house.
I was only joking a little.
Saturday we pulled out the bikes and the helmets and headed for a short ride on the beautiful paths.
Right before we pulled my pregnant belly onto a bike, we talked Torrey & Kat into a quick photo (they were heading out to visit Kat’s parents for Mother’s Day and this was the only photo we got with them!) Note Will’s new comfort technique since Operation Paci Extraction.
We also got one with Jeff, Jill & Lola. I was gonna crop out my head. I feel really swollen faced in these. I don’t know whether to blame my fat levels, my pregnancy or the fact that I ate shrimp or crab every single day.
I wish we could have gotten a big group shot…but that was my fault…I didnt think about it on nights we were all dressed and up for photos.
Bike riding was amazing…the first five minutes. Then the wind picked up. Then we went against the wind. With two screaming toddlers.
So we pulled into Whale’s Tail for some beach food.
I let Will do things that Jeremy doesn’t. Let’s be clear on that. Not because I’m undermining Jer’s parental authority…most times it’s things like climbing on a railing. Jer would think Will would get hurt…or offend someone trying to come down the stairs and use the handrail…or a million other things I never think of.
I, on the other hand, take photos. I feel like it’s good training for his television debut on Survivor: Season 68. Seriously though – I want him to not fear things like heights or bugs or trying new things. I want him to develop a healthy respect for things…but not be scared to try. There are many things in this world that we could all do, if we weren’t scared to try.
Afterward, we practically had to walk the kids home. They were OVER IT. And yes, that “Dora” doll that Will has…it’s Lola’s. It’s her little comforter…and she shared with Will. (yes, we took the helmets off for the photo…otherwise you couldn’t see their very cranky faces)
After a very needed nap, we all just vegged. I love vegging. I’m practically a professional vegetable…you can quote me on that.
Will loved watching the wind surfering guys (that should be the technical term).
He also had a blast smashing this wall of sand. Will & Jer must have spent thirty minutes jumping and smashing and crashing.
This is probably the last true vacation that we will have – just the three of us. Before you know it, we will be a family of four and Will’s world will probably be upsidedown. I think that’s why I spent so much time just soaking him in.
We are bratty sometimes….complainers….unappreciative and overpriveledged….but we have our moments of goodness too. We have our moments of pure thankfulness. We have our moments of soak-it-in-because-it-might-never-be-this-good-again-ness. We have our moments of eat-this-boy-up-because-we-lucked-out-ness. We have a lot of moments…and we are trying hard to not waste them. Because there are no guarantees in this life, right?!
If I could write a letter to Will, I’m sure it would have under ten words or be a few novels long. There is so much to say to him. So much to love. But it all boils down to the fact that I know for a fact that God gave him to me for a reason. God gave me him…and him me. And that is so comforting…and so exhilarating.
Will has initiated a kiss from me only a handful of times. I ask him for kisses all the time…and he always obliges the Mommy wishes happily – but asking me for one…without any prompting from me? Yeah. Rarer than a carb free Snickers bar.
So you can consider me thrilled when Will asked for a kiss and Jeremy was there to capture it.
The last day was Sunday. Mothers Day. And we decided to take our time to pack up…empty the fridge…check under the beds…throw the wet clothes in a grocery bag…and loaded up the car to head home.
Even the sea was sad to see us go…
What a wonderful way to end it…spending ten hours in the car with the two men I love is the perfect way to spend Mothers Day 🙂
The picture of you and Will, looking at each other and laughing, just after you kiss – yea, that brought tears to my eyes. So incredibly precious!!
Katie,
Your little kissing photo sequel with Will are the cutest photos I have ever seen!
A D O R A B L E ! Thanks for sharing!
Awwwwwwe! Those pics of you and Will are just too precious. So sweet. 🙂
Katie, the pictures of you and Will are so precious. It’s things like that that make me so excited to be a mom one day! Thanks for sharing.
Katie, these photos are amazing. Your family is so blessed and I am happy that you get to capture all of those moments to keep forever. It looks like an amazing vacation and I am really glad that you got to do this while it was still just the three of you.
Looks like it was so much fun! Glad you got to have a special Mother’s Day trip 🙂 And your little bump is adorable!
Love this! Destin is one of our favorite places to go – we go every spring break and try to go at least once in the summer too. My aunt owns a condo right across the street from Pompano Joe’s (which I think is down the street from where yall stayed – I’ve seen those pretty, tall, beach front places a million times:)) and so it is a nice little economical vacation to go stay rent-free:)
Those pictures of you and Will at the end are absolutely precious! The one right after the kiss where you are grinning is so great because you look like mirror images!! I usually think he looks like your hubby but in that one he is your twin!!! So sweet
I photo that took my breath away was the black and white of you with your back and Will holding onto you. There is something in his expression that is so priceless-like how he needs you and loves you. Also you should do a vertical wall frame with the kiss photos. That series and the colors are gorgeous!
I’m amazed by those kite-surfers as well! Mesmerizing!! And they must have abs of steel.
Great vacation and great reminders to be thankful and soak in the moments. 🙂
Looks like such a fun trip. It’s always sad to leave the beach. I cant wait to take a family trip to the beach next year. My youngest has never been and it will be the first time having all four of us at the beach.
Katie…you made me tear up in the last part. I hope I can be as great a mom as you are, one day. Will & Jeremy are so lucky to have you as a wife & mother! So glad I can keep up with you through your blog, after our college days. ;p
Great pictures! Where are Will’s pajamas from? My son loves button up pajamas like that but I can’t find them! Thanks!
Awwwh how sweet. That smiling shot of you two after the kiss is SO PRECIOUS. I can really feel the peaceful afternoon you had from those empty beach shots. Can’t wait to be near one in 3 days!!
2 things:
1. I just love Destin.
2. I also love that you and Will are making the same face in the post kiss picture.
Beautiful! And now I can’t wait to get to the beach!!
“There are many things in this world that we could all do, if we weren’t scared to try”…. That is so true, Katie! You are a very wise mother.
Love the photos and this blog…beautiful and touching.
p.s. Did you use the same camera for all the photos? Simply amazing!
The pictures of you and Will just melted my heart! I have a soft spot for those unsolicited boy kisses too.
This post made me cry a bit. I get your feelings of sucking in their every moments. My baby (third child) is almost 1. He is our lasted baby. He is growing quickly and I am already missing his smaller stages. I wish I could keep him small, loving, and a complete mama’s boy forever. Aren’t they amazing?!
Gorgeous photos Katie, and a lovely post!! Sounds like a wonderful get away. I love those kinds of trips. The ones that sometimes stop you in your tracks with overwhelming gratitude and the surprising ability to be wonderfully present. Happy for you guys 🙂
I don’t know what got me crying more… the words about god giving you to Will, and him to you… or the 4 shots of “the kiss” between you and him. So sweet.
Your notes about a letter to Will the adorable pics of you two made me remember something. I always wondered after having our 5 year old, “how could I ever love another child as much as I love this one, is there really enough crazy/all out mad love in me?” Yep, there is! Enjoy your time as 3, but I guarantee life as 4 is even better. My boys (ages 5 and 15 mos) were rolling around on the floor just laughing at one another last night and it gave me the chills. They make eachother so happy, it adds another layer to the love I have for each of them.
The pictures of Will asking for a kiss and your hubby capturing it is probably the most precious thing I’ve ever seen!!
I love your blog and felt the need to comment because I live in Destin…and freaked out when I saw you vacayed here. Hope you enjoyed your vacation!
Oh my goodness. Those pictures of you and Will are adorable. As the one who is usually behind the camera, I’m sure you will treasure those!
Is it odd that I got teras in my eyes when I saw the B&W picture of Will in your arms as I read “Jeremy was there to capture it”? Then I saw the next few pictures and cried some more. Way to go Jeremy! I can only hope someone (ahem husband) will pick up my camera once in a while and capture moments liek those for me. Damn I still have tears….
love love lovvvvvvvvvvvvvve the pics! and the pics of the kiss caught in action too!
PS – you must tell me where the pink sweatshirt-esque piece came from!
It’s also from the outlet for Banana Republic. I got it last year (super sale item) but I think that they still carry it in different colors. Super comfy!
xo – kb
LOVE the pictures of you and Will, especially of you and Will running between the umbrellas.
I LOVE those pictures of you and Will – what special shots 🙂
thanks for sharing this little bit of loveliness 🙂
Didn’t realize we were in Destin at the same time as you, but we had to leave Thursday after lunch. I thought Thursday and Friday were supposed to be the two most perfect weather days in the entire history of Destin. If Friday turned out overcast and coldish, I don’t feel so bad about leaving.
We just got back from a visit to Destin this weekend (a babymoon of sorts since I’m due with our first in 7 weeks). We ate at Stinky’s one night and DANG it was good. I noticed too that a lot of their food is Cajun or Creole, so it’s saying something that this Louisiana couple was impressed. Sooooo good. We also ate at Dewey Destin’s which I discovered by trolling the comments on your first Destin post. It, too, was crazy delicious, and much cheaper than Stinky’s. This is a beautiful post, Katie. I’m glad y’all had such a great time!
Katie. PERFECT timing. We were planning a vacation to the Domincan Republic, but when the vacation turned into a Babymoon (!!!) we needed to find somewhere stateside. The hubs was trying to convince me of Destin, but since it’s only about 3 hours away from home I was resistant.
You have talked me into Destin 100 times over girl. Thank you! (And thank you from the husband too).
xoxo
Yup – same camera and same lens 🙂
xo – kb
Aww Heidi – everytime I hear that commercial on air of yours I think of you and wish you lived closer 🙂
xo – kb
Those are old ones from Walmart – but I know that they still carry them sometimes!
xo – kb
Oh Dominican Republic is amazing…amazing amazing…but yeah – I haven’t been to a beach like Destin in the states before. So glad we came 🙂
xo – kb
Next time we’ll have to try Deweys!
xo – kb
Katie – the kissing/giggling pictures of you and Will are make-me-puke-all-over-my-work-computer cute. For reals. His face in the black and white giggling one makes me want to drive to hotlanta and force you to let me be your live in nanny. You have been warned 🙂
Oh man, I grew up going to Destin and I miss it so much I could cry. Definitely need to guilt trip my parents into renting all of us a house next summer.
Key lime donuts from the donut hole are the best. ever.
You have such a way with words! I don’t know if it’s your writing, the pregnancy hormones over here or a combo of both, but I loved every bit of this post. Will (and your new baby) are just so lucky to have you as their mom!
This post made me cry, too! We are headed to Destin in a few weeks and I am now more excited than ever! Also, wanted to thank you for the photo tips yesterday!!!
I’ll take it! I need a nanny…but who will watch Will 🙂
xo – kb
Hi Katie!
I’ve loved reading your beach posts and especially the ending of this one. So very sweet! If you don’t mind my asking…I am curious who you got your vacation rental through? We’re thinking of planning a trip there and I’ve been scouring the web for nice places in the area and since we’ve never been there it’s liking fumbling around blindly :).
Looks like a fun time! I can’t get over those photos of you and Will and then of the 3 of you. So adorable! What a blessed Mama you are!
I wish I knew. We didn’t make the arrangements…so we are literally no help at all!
xo – kb
I think the second half of this post was my favorite ever on your site. Thanks for sharing such lovely photos and sentiments. Y’all are truly blessed.
I love reading your blog. My son Reed its a day or two older then Will and I love your honest posts about him as I swear Reed and Will are exactly the same kids. I’m curious what you did for Operation Paci Extraction; we’ve decided that after this weekend this is something we’ll be working on with Reed.
Well if you must know…Will decided to feed a $25 stuffed animal a red lollipop and so we ended up buying it because he ruined it. Thankfully the red came out. That is when I decided that he just traded his paci for Zebah…his new expensive stuffed zebra. Whenever he asked for it, we said “Paci is gone. Here’s Zebah.” And it went surprisingly smooth. He still asks for it (it’s been about two months) but we just say Paci’s gone…where’s Zebah?!
xo – kb
Hi Katie–love your blog! We’re going to Destin at the end of the summer–is Stinky’s on the beach? I have a compulsion to eat beachside every night–don’t want to miss a minute of that view!
Sounds like something Reed would do!! Thanks for answering so quickly!
Ah Katie those photos of you and Will are precious! I’m glad you had such a great vacation!
Loved your vaca update! My son turns two in a few weeks, and I love reading your posts, because you have many of the same issues/experiences as me. 🙂
We’ll be traveling this summer too, which means eating out and that is something that I now dread with the little guy. It’s so hard to keep him in his seat and focused while we wait. He has ants in his little toddler pants. Any ideas for keeping meal-time drama free??????
Oh my Gawd that pic of you and will is the cutest, in fact the ones of Will giving you kissed are all the cutest! He is so much like you!!!
I have tears in my eyes from the pictures of you and Will kissing! 🙂 That is THE. SWEETEST. THING. EVER.
kite boarding ……… windsurfing is completely different
Katie – your Will looks so much like you… My goodness he is your mini me in a boy body… 🙂
too cute.. precious times – precious moments all caught on camera… thanks so much for sharing your pride and joy and yes lucky you to be blessed with so much love from your 2 boys… xoxo Patty
Beautiful photos of you and Will! Did Jeremy take those? If so, he is quite the photographer too! So precious…
Katie are you aware you are supposed to seriously limit your intake of seafood while pregnant?? (Im not being sarcastic Im not sure if you know or not- having never been pregnant myself I dont know how much is acceptable but thought Id put it otut there)
Oh my goodness. The photos of you and Will on the beach are precious. I never realised what a mini-Katie he is! Each expression is identical. Love it!
I so enjoy your hilarity, awesome photography and design inspiration that is Bower Power.
H
haha…see!? Shows how much I know!
xo – kb
We didn’t have much luck. We had the terrible toddler at all the places to eat except Stinkys – for some reason, he sat and ate really well there. I do recommend finding places they can be loud – like outdoor patios or places that have live bands (for some reason toddlers are like drunk people and they behave differently with live music playing!). Other than that – just always have a backup plan – like for one dinner Jill and I took Will and Lola to the nearby fountains and let them play. At some point you don’t care if they are wet – as long as they eat and let you do the same!
xo – kb
Stinkys is near the beach but not on it. It’s actually not much of a view most of the places we ate (except Poppy’s) because the sun sets on the other side of the curve…does that make sense?
xo – kb
I think you are supposed to drastically reduce your mercury intake and reduce the overall shellfish and fish…I think it’s average of 2 meals a week is a-ok. I had two full meals of shellfish (one crab and one shrimp) and a couple bites on the other nights of appetizers. So that’s what I meant – but good point. I don’t want people out there thinking I ate Shark every night 🙂
xo – kb
Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing! Bee-tee-dub, do you watch The Bachelorette? Doug looks like he could be Jeremys brother.
Ahhh I love your bump!! So jealous! You’re adorable 🙂 🙂
The b&w of you and Will together is perrrfect. You’re creating such good memories for your family.
haha…someone else said that today!! We said that Doug looks like an extreme fighter or bodybuilder…like he’s gonna open a can on someone. So I think Jeremy would approve 🙂
xo – kb
I must go back to destin!! And I have that front riding bike seat for my 2 year old. We love it!!!
Oh and those pics of you and will are absolutely precious!!
Katie B, seriously, those photos of you and Will made me do a deep inhale, then exhale, then “ohhhh.” You just cannot get any sweeter than that. I think I will Photoshop mine and my son’s faces onto yours and Will’s. That wouldn’t be at all weird.
What a stunning blog – I hear my family going mental in the back ground while I sit here and zone out and read your time at the beach. I also have a Jeremy who is a gem your family pics are just lovely!
Katie – The pictures of you and Will are SO PERFECT, and I totally have that pink sweatshirt you’re wearing! Love it. Looks like a great vacation.
Beautiful photos of you and Will having your moment – to be treasured. Looks like you had a lovely holiday. x
You mentioned writing a letter to Will. I started writing my daughter a letter every month since her birth a year ago. I’m very frank and list the good times and the struggles. I tell her what she is like as a baby and the milestones she hit. I tell her we’re proud of her and we love her. I’m not sure it will keep up if we have baby #2, but I think these are things we’ll both want to remember when she’s older!
Everything about this entry was just beautiful! you have the cutest family ever! Blessings on the new baby!
I got some Firetruck ones at Marshalls this past winter. I think they are Carter’s brand. They had lots of cute ones.
Check out VRBO’s site. Tons of great rentals and lots of affordable ones too. There are some incredible houses down there, especially in Seacrest, Santa Rosa Beach, Rosemary Beach (more expensive), Magnolia Cottages (love). I’m drawn to the homes that look like a Pottery Barn catalog on the interior, which are a ton of them! Wish I lived closer b/c I love the homes and beach down there.
The series of pics of you and Will kissing are so precious and utterly priceless…wonderful capture by Jeremy!!
That pic of Will kissing you and then laughing brought tears to my eyes. It may be the pregnancy hormones (cause I’m not a crier), but that is the most precious thing. My little man is like that, rarely does he ask me for kisses or hugs. I cherish every one of them!!!
I love that pink sweater you’re wearing in the last few pics. Where did you get it? It’s a great colour on you! Thanks for sharing you pics. The pics of the beach help this city girl get through the day.
Katie — those pictures of you and Will kissing just totally melted my heart! Adorbs!! My son, Eamonn, is almost exactly the same age as Will (a week younger, I think), so I can relate — he’s willing to give hugs and kisses upon request, but almost never asks for them. I say almost because he has asked twice recently…while he was being naughty. He knows exactly how to manipulate his mama!
P.S. You look fantastic — baby-growing works for you!
Susie
Those pictures of you and Will made me all mooshy-goosebumped-and-teary-eyed at work! Beautiful!
The pictures are all amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Oh my gosh, the smoochy Will pictures? So. Freakin. Adorable. Then the scrunched up smiley faces at each? I die!
Kissing baby photos are the bee’s knees. So sweet! 🙂
I’m dying, these pictures are amazing! You always try to focus on what you are blessed with, which is such a wonderful attitude to have in life. It looks like you all had a fun vacation and it is great you got to spend some more quality time with Will. And that adorable baby bump of yours is making me want #2 soon!!!
Actually – I would give you mad props if you could do that successfully 🙂
xo – kb
haha…I love the phrase “my family going mental”…it is so funny to me 🙂
xo – kb
Okay Miss Katie. Seriously.
The pictures of you & Will, pre, during & post kiss? TOO SWEET for WORDS!
Now – let’s be real. The one in B&W – with the two of you having a smiling contest. The two of you are identical!!! Except for the cute boy, pretty Mommy difference,
I-DEN-TI-CAL!!!!
love the pics! which lens did you use for the beach?
the photos of you and Will are just too much. perfection. that series is a framer for sure!
and WHO leaves form vacation early????????!!!!!
Totally random – the photo of the windsurfer looks like a flying tiara to me… I first thought you had brought a tiara to the beach and had thrown it in the air in celebration, like a graduation photo.
Congrats on the burgeoning baby bump, by the way! Praying for a successful VBAC for you – I have had two since the c-section of my oldest son, one assisted with oxytocin (intense!) and one totally natural (also intense but amazing!) I am sure you are flooded with lots of helpful suggestions, but I highly recommend “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth” if you haven’t had a chance to read it yet.
And thank you, again, for brightening my day!
I know right?! I guess it probably had something to do with the cruddy weather.
xo – kb
I used my 24-70mm for all these 🙂
xo – kb
Oh. My. Word. First of all, your baby bump is simply precious. I really don’t think you could be more adorable.
Second, the series of photos of Will and the whole “God gave me him and him me” and “God gave him to me for a reason” stuff… I am a blubbering mess at work! So thanks for that. I’m newly married, and kids probably won’t be on our radar for a while. So, to make me so sentimental about motherhood–that’s an accomplishment. 😉
I was at the Whales Tail that day!!! I probably missed you by like an hour! I totally would have been freaked out if I saw you, & it probably would have been pretty awkward for you. haha
The pictures of you & Will are so sweet!!
Katie!! You should have called me 🙂 I babysit!! You all could have had a fun “kid-free” night! I babysit for all my friends that come into town. I live near 30A and Destin and absolutely love this area. I have a 9-5 job but do love my kiddos so it’s my way of “really good birth control” 🙂 as my husband would say. If you’re in the area again…let me know! I would love to keep the kids!
Katie-I really hope I can be a mom like you one day! I tend to get so wrapped up in housework, projects, work, tasks, etc. I want to be able to cherish every moment I have with our children (if God choses to bless us with one or two, or four. Love the pics! They melted my heart!
Hey Katie!
I am a new reader to your blog, courtesy of YHL.
I MUST comment, because I’m a destin native and love reading what everyone says about it. <3
So here's my 2 cents if you're interested:
For THE BEST seafood anywhere, visit Nick's across the bridge in basin bayou. They only serve what they catch, plus gator, chicken and Alaskan king crab. They own most of the blue crab traps in the area, so if you're eating blue crab anywhere else it's just more expensive. Get the blue crab, cobia, snapper or grouper. Always bronzed as opposed to blackened, grilled or fried.
(7585 Florida 20, Freeport, FL)
For a romantic expensive dinner, The Beachwalk Cafe on crystal beach drive (old 98) get the grouper Vince!!
Or Seagars, get the Chilean sea bass and bananas foster. (According to my southern hubby their steaks aren't very good because they don't have enough southern flavor… But I think they're good, just pricey)
For fun educational kid stuff, visit the Indian temple museum and the science museum in fort Walton beach.
Norriego Point at the jetties (where the gulf meets the harbor) is the best beach for snorkeling/diving, but don't tell anyone, because it's always been my favorite, crowd less spot and where my hubby proposed!
And if you need a local hookup next time, let me know!
XOXO!!!
Hi, I have a 12 month and we are looking to going away for the very first time. Where did you find your rental? It looks perfect and we want to go to destin. Thanks so much for sharing your story!
We found our rentals on VRBO. Hope that helps!
xo – kb