Another part of our Port St. Lucie recap that should have happened ages ago.
We hit up the beach again…this time it was way busier.
And I will probably get a lot of grief about this comment but I’m saying it anyway….I loved it because we sat next to a family of little people. I could have cared less about the sand or water or anything else in that moment. I get giddy about little people like other people get around folks with dimples or green eyes or broad shoulders. I can’t help it…it’s a natural attraction that makes me intrigued and want to ask a lot of questions. I think it is because my mom’s cousin is a dwarf and she was so beautifully happy anytime I saw her despite her physical ailments or various limitations. So just the fact that there was a man born with dwarfism next to me and his two seven year old twins were there….it made my day. PLUS…he was a contractor who DIYed for years before going pro. He told me that he built his entire house and personalized the height of everything to make it more comfortable for his family. How awesome is he?! I completely respect anyone that transforms their home with their own two hands to fit them better…no matter how tall or as he put it, ‘height-challenged’ they are…
Anyhoo…after I talked with them for twenty or so minutes I went all paparazzi on Britney Spears…I mean…Will Bower 🙂
He also did an impression of how I feel about the tan-colored-trim in our house.
Seriously though – the beach was really fun…busy but fun…
And afterward, the boys all crashed and we did a little down-time (I just hung out in a hammock – now I want to DIY one…which by the way, I totally have planned out in my head)…
Later that evening we hit up downtown Stuart. It was such a quaint little town – the streets were lined with shops and places to eat and adorable houses that overlooked the water. And you could walk down to where the boats and causeway were…it was beautiful.
I set Jer up with back lighting on this shot and he did pretty good. I’m so proud of him for learning more about the camera. Maybe one day we can do photography together 🙂 That’s a joke honey but seriously…you are definitely improving…and I love what you capture and how it’s different than what I do 🙂
Jer and I joked about hotwiring one of these bad boys and taking it out to sea. I was only partially joking just so everyone knows 🙂
I love that Will is holding Jer’s hand in this…even though the Tinkler has no interest in the photo whatsoever. Will is completely a daddy’s boy…but with me spending so much more time with him alone lately (since Jer has such a terrible commute he only gets an hour or two at home while Will is awake each night), it’s kinda going more in my favor lately. I can’t complain 🙂 But I can say – it’s funny to remember back to March when Will basically thought of me like bird droppings.
Our lovely hosts 🙂 Miss you guys. Move back down here please and thank you.
We ate at a little mexican-inspired restaurant. It was okay. Nothing was out of this world. But nothing bad either.
A lot of our downtime was spent doing random things to keep the boys from being too destructive.
Oh and whenever we were in doubt, we threw on the swimsuits and went back to the beach. One of the days we went was particularly weird. Jeremy went to look for at a car that was for sale (this was before his commute started and he was looking for something that had good gas mileage)…so we had separate cars.
Wow. I miss the beach now.
Isn’t it crazy that summer is over? I mean school has started and it is starting to cool down just a hair…it’s like it flew by.
I forgot to sunscreen the tops of Will’s feet. They got so pink. I felt terrible about it. Lesson learned. I have to remember not to put sunscreen on him when he’s still wearing his shoes.
The beach wasn’t going so well for the twins…and it looked like it might start to storm, so they decided to head back to the house. Jer met me down there and we ended up trying out the Original Tiki Bar
I’m glad we did. It did start to rain a little but just having some down time with our little family was reenergizing. Will was calmer because he didn’t ‘feed’ off the other boys…and it was nice to just sit and enjoy a good meal of fish 🙂
Will was getting drunk off the pepper apparently 🙂
As we were walking out the door, some guys were yelling COME LOOK! And so of course, we did. Beside the boats in the marina was this giant thing that looked like a floating erosion bag….but it was a MANATEE! Yay! Of course we got really excited and took too many photos…the mouth is right there next to that orange leaf…it was eating 🙂
Then we headed to the little shops to hunt for a postcard. We always buy two postcards…one to send to John & Sherry (preferably something risque on the front that will embarrass them and make the mailman think they are into beach pics boasting men in thongs) and one for us…we write everything we did on it while away and funny quotes or events. It is like a little mini diary of our vacation.
On the way out of the downtown area, we spotted this giant train mural. Will was SOO excited about the choo-train. And I was digging the idea of a huge wall mural – that could be painted over whenever and replaved with something even cooler….a la 50 First Dates 🙂
I only have one more Port St. Lucie post…hopefully it’ll be quick and easy because I have kitchen progress to share! yay!
YAY! You got to see a manatee! 🙂
BTW, I don’t think it’s weird that you like little people. I think there’s something about being attracted/interested in what you don’t have. Obviously you have a connection to them and that’s great. My aunt’s God son is a little person and he’s always at family events. He fits in so well with everyone that we forget about his size until my daughter, all 2 years of her at the time, asked me about the “little boy”. He’s in college and a little taller than most little people but still short compared to the grown men in our family. It’s hard to teach little kids about things like that. How did Will react?
Your “Will drunk on pepper” picture made me laugh out loud!
Will just lived the kids…I don’t think he thought anything except cool – playmates!
xo kb
A “50 First Dates” reference! KB – you are my favorite!
Makes me want to go to the beach, instead of sending my girls off for their first days of school!
I laughed at your comment about feeding off the other boys energy. SO true! I always wondered why my girls acted like they were possessed at play group:-) Of course, that is kind of what life is like non stop once you have a sibling… as soon as one settles down, the other gets cranked up. Fun and crazy!
Looks like fun! We’re currently planning our first family vacay (that doesn’t involve visiting family or working) so it was fun to see how you did it!
I’m a little confused about the “weird day” story involving Jeremy looking at a car. It seemed to be missing the meat of the story. Am I missing something?
ok, so we totally need to know what embarrassing postcard you sent john and sherry!
Man this makes me crave another beach vacation! Also the picture of Will in his PJs, blowing bubbles? Completely adorable. I’d say frame worthy!
Cute swimsuit ~ where’d it come from? thx 🙂
Things I love about this post:
those three little munchkins…..seriously how precious are they
the olive dress you are wearing, actually that whole outfit
sandy toes
the little people analysis you gave because that is so totally me as well
Wills pj’s…..seriously adorable
the picture Jeremy took, he is getting good!
how great of a mommy you are
the confusion of no baby bump (oh wait, this was months ago, guess I forgot)
the delish food pictures
ok….I think I need a vacation!
I live in Port St. Lucie. It’s so fun to see all our everyday places in your vacation photos. Thanks for sharing!
Such a fun trip!! This makes me want to go back home to Florida (just south of Stuart) and park my butt on the beach.
Love all the pictures!!! I have to admit though I’m ready for Fall. We had a really great Summer but nothing beats Fall in my little world…. 🙂
Beautiful pictures! I love these posts!
Lovely trip! So totally random question, do you know where those doggie and fox pajamas are from? They are too cute. Thanks!
Looks like a lot of fun! Can you please share where you swimsuit (striped top and sold bottom, in the 4th picture) is from? I love it.
Thanks!
Mine was from Lands End Canvas 🙂
xo – kb
I think those are old – from Walmart I believe 🙂
xo – kb
It’s from Canvas – it’s a Lands End company and I got it on clearance a while back but they still carry similar styles!
xo – kb
It was just weird to be on vacation alone with Will while Jer was shopping for a car in a different state. I am not one to plan things like that but apparently my boyfriend is 🙂
xo – kb
These are such great shots! Looks like you guys had such a great day! Will is so adorable!
Do you watch “Game of Thrones” on TV? Peter Dinklage is one of my favorite actors (playing Tyrion, my favorite character), and he’s absolutely fantastic. Also, hot, with a fantastic voice. Also, a little person.
Even if AGoT isn’t your thing, I can’t recommend the movie he starred in highly enough–it’s called “The Station Agent” and it’s about this loner guy who inherits an abandoned train station in a small town, and meets other lonely people, and it’s just quiet and brilliant and beautiful. I watched in in parts on the Tube of You (iykwim) and then rushed to Amazon to buy it the next day. It’s that good.
So completely random question, what kind of jogging stroller do yall use and do you like it? My hubs and I are about to have baby #1 and I cannot decide on strollers so when I was doing a catch up on the Bower’s I saw yours and thought I better ask! 🙂
Thanks!!
It’s the Phil & Ted’s sport – you can find the link on the “OUR STUFF” tab!
xo – kb
After all your beach pictures, I have come to the conclusion that I definitely need to go visit the East Coast! Congrats on creating such great family memories.
Hi Katie,
Love your tan ruffle sandals in the 7th pic. Where are they from?
Thanks 🙂
Thanks Sarah – I got them a couple years ago on clearance at Carnival Shoes. They were in that clearance area for $7 🙂
xo – kb
Just got back from our family vacay (started posting about it here: http://familyjulius.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/back-to-the-grind/) and loved catching up on yours!
Couple things…
1. LOVE your green dress outfit (with the beachy hair and everything) lookin’ good, mama!
2. Totally gonna get a tankini from Lands End Canvas now
3. How excited are you for football, scratch that, STEELER’S SEASON?!?!