Destined in Destin, Part 1

There are perks to being a pastor's wife, certainly.  To name a few...huge network of caring and loving people that are always willing to lend a hand has got to be one of the top perks, but then there are random things like crazy leftovers from big meetings or like this weekend...a trip to Destin, FL!  It's not like we won it or anything, but a sweet couple from our congregation wanted to do a destination wedding and chose Destin, FL as the location.  They flew both Doug and I down this weekend for Doug to officiate.  This would be a great weekend just for Doug and I to be alone (well, Penn is hanging with us, too dependent on me (if you know what I mean) to leave at home) and enjoy the paradise that is the Emerald Coast of Florida, but it gets better...my brother, sister-in-law and niece live here!  We are staying with them at their new home that is right on the bay.  It's an amazing location and a lot more comfortable than staying in a small hotel room with a an on and off fussy baby.  We are so thankful for this special weekend!  

On Thursday Doug took Koen to Kindergarten and then came home to pick me and Penn up for our ride to the airport.  The babysitter (Cookie and Corey, our friends that Doug married last October are staying with Koen and Tavin) arrived at 9am for a quick walk-through and acclimation time with Tavin.  Tav thankfully had no quams about us leaving which was a huge relief to me.  Our travel day was uneventful thankfully with speedy flights, no delays and no weather issues.  Here's my sweet Penn being the amazing travel trooper that all my boys have turned out to be.

We had one major glitch when we arrived at Ft. Walton Beach airport.  We got our bags and Doug got the rental car squared away at the counter and then he went out to bring it around from the parking lot.  Somehow between the parking lot and the car he lost the key.  This was very frustrating.  We spent 30 minutes looking for it as the rental car place said they obviously couldn't give us another car without returning that key.  The time for Penn to eat was creeping up on us and I was close to getting emotional as my baby who had been amazing all day continued to sleep peacefully and I was fearing he would wake up and lose it and we would have to yet again feed him in an airport instead of in the comfort of a home.  But just in the nick of time someone must have returned the keys to the rental car counter because they called me up and gave them to me.  Yay!  We were out of there!  We arrived at Phil & Leah's at 4pm.  I fed Penn and then we got to chill out the rest of the evening with family.  Here's the view from their place.  Not too shabby!

And here's the amazing sunset we took in from the top deck of the dock.

Last night after the kids were in bed we adults enjoyed a yummy meal of grilled burgers and brats with a refreshing salad.  Then Phil & Doug played a little pool before we all turned in.  Here are the "bros" having a nice friendly game.

We all had a great sleep and I need to have a little ode to Penn here.  He didn't make a peep all night and woke up only 15 minutes before 7am.  Tired little traveler!  

After I fed him, we went out to see Doug on the front porch enjoying his coffee and devotions.

While out there we spotted a huge heron perched on Phil's dock deck! 

Penn tired quickly and he took a good long morning nap which afforded Doug and I the opportunity to go for a swim in the bay and do some kayaking!  Pretty amazing to just walk out the back door and go swimming in the Gulf of Mexico essentially!  We did have to take some breaks indoors due to the heat and the little baby, but Penn love an indoor activity we found for him.  We stuffed him in to Eleanor's exersaucer surrounded by towels for support.  He loved it!  He was especially interested in a frog with big bulgy eyes. =)

After a nice, low key morning, Doug and I took advantage of Penn's next nap and got some lunch (local Grouper of course) at a restaurant nearby.  

We made it home for the 1pm feeding and Penn didn't last long before he was ready for another long nap.  He's really catching up today and Doug and I are enjoying the down time when usually our hands would be full with housework, work work or the big boys.  Definitely a nice change of pace.  Doug's off to do the wedding rehearsal and we will both be attending the dinner this evening.  Penn's staying with Uncle Phil and Aunt Leah and cousin Eleanor this evening.  Hopefully he's not too much of a handful. =)  Tune in tomorrow for more!