Wednesday, April 13, 2011

First REAL RV TRIP-THE BEACH!

Below is the typical scene while the RV is rolling..
Twas a long drive from KS to FL!
We were blessed to have all 8 kids with us!

I filled the RV with word searches, dot to dots, coloring books, LOTS of paper, pens, markers, pencils and crayons and TONS OF SNACKS oh and some XANAX & earplugs for myself (JUST KIDDING). 

Bean says "Hey mom, LOOK, I found a vacation word search."
Too precious NOT to share with you all, hopefully the Pope won't take offense.
He's our "blonde".

We REALLY ARE SO THANKFUL for the Wal-Mart Parking lot!!
You all know you can stay in your RV FOR FREE!
It's officially called BOONDOCKING.
It's so safe and did I mention FREE? Saves on the budget, plus, if you forget any groceries-BAM, you just roll out of bed and YOU'RE THERE!
We were ALWAYS in the company of at least 3-5 other RVers at each Wally World!
My "crew" PROUD to be BOONDOCKERS!

This was the FIRST VIEW of the ocean we got as we cruised into FL!
GOR..GEOUS!

Because this RV can't seem to make it ANYWHERE without SOMETHING BREAKING or going wrong, we had to have a flat tire RIGHT as we were pulling into our Resort-CAMPING ON THE GULF.
The nice gentelmen below came to our camping spot and fixed it right away!
We were literally parked on.the.sand. WOW is all I can say-WOW!
The kids RUSHED to get their suits on and get in the ocean!
The view from the beach to our RV..

I'll admit, it was ROUGH waking up to this view each morning...

The kids had a BALL!
They entered a sand castle building contest!

AND WON a ribbon and Free ice cream for all!

They had a VERY INFORMATIVE Animal show given by Nonie's Ark Animal Encounters-the kindest lady!
Here's Bakers with her chinchilla! Which one is cuter??

And the kids with the python..

They enjoyed the 2 pools, an indoor pool and and outdoor pool-SO AWESOME!

They enjoyed playing in the sand ........

and eating some..

Eating The Captains yummy grillage..

Riding the HIPPO SLIDE!
The Captain and I BOTH went down-super FUN!

Kite building...

and flying...

lots of wave jumping..

And just being together as a family..away from every day pressures. Being close to the ocean always makes me feel close to God. Just listening to the waves and marveling at all his creations..including our 8 wonderful kids!

We all came home FRIED!!! Except Bakers! That white sand'll GET YA!

This was really the first time we "lived" out of the RV for a week. I'll admit, I was scared, nervous and cried the first night on the beach because of ALL THINGS I forgot Bakers swimsuit! I felt I wasn't "organized" enough. The Captain comforted me and said "it's our first time, we're still learning honey." LOVE THAT GUY!

Our other trips, we have stayed in friends & families driveways along the way.
We have now covered 14 states in our RV since we got it in February.

CAMPING ON THE GULF was "perfect" in my eyes...
I don't know if I will ever want to stay anywhere else.
We didn't leave the camp once..

VERY kid friendly, staying right on the beach, the pools, RIGHT across from a HUGE outlet mall and just a few blocks from the grocery store. What more could a mom to 8 ask for?

I WANNA GO BACK NOW!! 

NEXT STOP
HIGHLANDS RANCH, COLORADO


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9 comments:

Alicia_B said...

Looks like an amazing trip! My hubby wants to rent an RV for a vacation so bad and seeing this makes it think it might not be so bad!

Serving the King said...

Oh.My.Gracious. I would comment on this but first I have to run to my nearest RV store and buy one so we can stay there too! Gorgeous!

Ashley said...

Looks like tons of fun! Glad you enjoyed your trip!

MyLinda said...

I am so jealous, that looks like a great vacation!!

Cheryl said...

Wow! That looks like an amazing place...and so much to do! I love the picture of WyWy jumping into the wave! Don't know if you know, but Preparation H ointment works wonders for sunburn...sounds silly, but it takes the pain/burn and itch away!
We'll have to go camping together sometime...we don't usually go very far from home, but hoping we'll venture a little farther this summer. :o)

bearhugs2u said...

Wow..what a neat trip!! Am so glad you had such a great time. The RV is going to be a blessing in so many ways (when it gets rid of all the kinks!) Just looking at all the smiles makes my heart happy!

bearhugs2u said...

such a great trip...seeing all the smiles makes gramma's heart happy!

Kelly said...

Okay. I hate to be this way. Really I do. But I am going to have to stop reading your blog if you keep posting about this RV. Just kidding but you are seriously killing me with these posts. I am so horribly jealous. But just as happy for your family. I told my best friend about your RV and blog today so she can be jealous with me. :)

Lori said...

Delurking here....
Wow! What a great time you all had. Love the baby and the chinchilla-so sweet. We have a summer place on the beach and there is no place I feel closer to the Lord than looking out over the water early in the morning.
Lori in Canada
PS quick question-what about seat belts while in the RV? Are they required? Can you tell I'm a worry wart (: