On Sunday morning, we woke up to the fresh breeze and sunshine of Siesta Key, Florida.
To back up a bit, it all started two weeks prior. After receiving over a foot of snow each of the first two weeks in April, we had enough. We found a great deal on a condo and flights with points so we booked it. Little did we know, the following week delivered another foot of snow and the week prior to leaving we received snow as well. We were over it.
We opted to keep it as suprise for the boys. It about killed us. We were so excited that we were dying to tell them. We kept accidentally dropping hints and Oliver picked up on it a few times, but we blew past it in hopes that he wouldn't take it seriously. You saw from the previous days post that we pulled it off. The boys were thrilled and couldn't wait to get to the beach.
I debated on how to approach this post; chronologically or by subject. After much thought, I knew that the only way to truly capture our Magical Mystery Tour was to go play by play. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. Oh ya... I'm also working on some new photography techniques that I'm learning from one of my all time favorite children's photographers, Karen Rubin. With that and 968 photos from four days, you're in for a visual treat that will take you along our journey in a diary of images.
Oliver may have been antsy to get to the beach (Kellan didn't understand yet what was to come) but the rest of us were content relaxing, taking in the fresh morning air, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine and the pressure to be no where at no time.
We served up some fresh hot breakfast and Kellan was the first to belly up to the bar for a mini muffin.
A most critical point of taking pasty white winter skin to the beach is a thick lather of sunscreen. I almost burst with ooey gooeyness of how cute these buns are.
After proper sunscreen lubing, the boys were greased up and ready to rock.
This is Oliver's tough guy pose.
(Don't smile Oliver! We know you want to.)
I love the Broncos colored 80's sunglasses. Do you see the glimpse of Risky Business here?
Kellan's tough guy.
The poor guy was fighting off a cold that provided a constant runny nose.
Ready to Rock the Beach!
We rented a wagon and even though the rental guy may have thought that I was a tad nuts when I requested it, it was the best $10 we spent. It worked like an absolute dream. We would load it up and head on out. It took about 2 minutes for the boys to realize that walking was for the longer legged fellows and there was a perfectly good wagon to ride in. Besides, someone had to support the gear to make sure that it didn't fall out.
Oh Siesta Key, you always take my breath away.
Dudes on a wagon.
Daddy gets Dad of the Year for wheeling these boys and the gear around.
It was great to watch Kellan evolve from day one to the last day at the beach. His first impressions were cautious and unsure. He would watch the water and stay far far away. He wasn't a big fan of the sand that kept getting into his eyes. He wasn't a fan of the bright sun that burned his baby blues. He was a fan of playing, having fun and spending time with and without other people. As Oliver said recently, "We all need our own space, sometimes". True dat brother.
I love the look of amazement that Kellan would get as he discovered the beach. The simplest fun such as putting sand in the bucket was amazing.
Keith was impressed with the umbrella that was provided by the condo and it's ease of use. Once an engineer, always an engineer.
Without hesitation, Oliver was in the water in search of shelled treasures.
After 15 minutes (no joke), Kellan had moved his party to the shade.
This also gave me a chance to practice flash free photography with strong back lighting.
As far as Oliver was concerned, there was no time to be wasted. This boy is a whole 5.5 years old and very well versed on the beach. He may be a tad bit spoiled as he has Florida, Oregon, California and Hawaiian beaches under his belt.
This beach is our perfect dream. The water is calm, warm and shallow. The sand is soft as powdered sugar and it doesn't get hot. The boys are well entertained and safe, so this gives Mommy and Daddy plenty of time to kick back and relax.
Keith working on his tan with an itty bitty chair.
(don't worry... he doesn't have an eating disorder. I think he's guilty of sucking in his gut here while laying on his back :) Plus, he's about 30 lbs lighter since Christmas. I'm so proud of him!
Kellan dug the trench...
... while Oliver delivered water.
Unbeknownst to the boys, they had a tall white vistor eying their pond.
The neighbor girls pond had a fish in it so maybe he thought this one did too.
What, What, What??
Oliver eyes the visitor.
If you make a trench, you must stand in it.
Simple fact.
After the boys discovered their hovering and unwelcome guest, Kellan decided to take care of business by chasing it away. His source of defense: sand darts and large roaring sounds.
On a side note: this is one of the many reasons he constantly had sand in his eyes. Take notice of how the powder soft sand flies so smoothly in the air, straight toward his face. The sand and wind also had this same effect as he would flick the sand with his shovel. The results, sand in the eyes and alligator tears. What a combination.
Crocs not only serve as great modes of transportation to and from the beach, but they are good for sand boats as well.
Take note: Sand creeping toward the eyes.
Oliver exploring his sea shell collection.
This guys got skills.
Goggles to keep the salt water, sand and sun out.
He's got all of the above from head to toe.
After some time, we took a stroll on the sand bar. We LOVED the beach and we really LOVED the sand bar. It provided our shallow, warm and mellow beach water. It also provided an adventurous path to the depths of the ocean.
Kellan was a tad apprehensive so he held his Daddy's hand and kept a close eye on Mommy and Oliver.
Oliver had zero.zero worries as he frolicked through the waves.
The further out we went, the more comfortable Kellan got with the water washing up on his feet.
Oliver and Mommy opted to continue our walk out to sea as Daddy and Kellan headed back to the beach with the camera. But first, a parting shot.
When Oliver and I got back, we found a sleeping sweetie under an umbrella.
Be still my beating heart.
Oliver was cool with a snack in the shade.
Remember, I'm working on my photography skilz. So... sometimes, trials end in errors, but when it's a great photo with happy guys, I still have to post them.
Love these two bundles of happiness.
After nearly six hours at the beach, it was time to head back to clean up and cool off. There is nothing better than lounging in underwear after a hot day on the beach and a bath, especially on a cool leather couch. The boys were watching a show while Mommy and Daddy were getting cleaned up themselves and this is what I spotted in the living room. Only brothers can get away with this. It kind of reminds me of what you would find at a Cirque show with legs and arms everywhere. I may keep this handy for teen year black mail.
The first full day was concluded with dinner at SKOB (Siesta Key Oyster Bar)
Keith was delighted to kick it off with a dozen oysters on the half shell for $6.
Kellan gladly swiped a few of Daddy's crackers.
Mommy was over-the-moon that they had ice cold Redd's Apple Ale. SO GOOD!
Before dinner, Oliver asked "if we eat good, can we get ice cream".
When on vacation, do as vacationers do... eat ice cream!
Mommy and Kellan were enjoying a stroll to the ice cream shop down the road.
Make that two kids size Superman cones with sprinkles, please!
With a whole bench, sitting glued together is the best seat in the house.
After dinner we went down to the beach to watch the sunset and explore the Sunday Night Drum Circle.
Before going to the beach, Kellan exclaimed insistently "No beach, No water, No sand."
You can see... he quickly got over that request.
I like to call this "Chasing Chicks".
This is Kellan roaring/growling at birds, or maybe it was the water. It was all kind of the same action.
We figured that we walked over 2 miles, one way, to the drum circle. Oliver RAN the whole way there and much of the way back.
Kellan was often hot on his trail.
Every now and then (Ok, more often than not), Oliver sees one of us in need and he jumps in with kind words or actions. Apparently, he felt that his Daddy was in need of a boost.
When one is fun, two is grand.
Working on some back lighting techniques to make sure the subject is well lit as well.
Kellan, in his crab pose.
He side stepped the entire depth of the beach (which was quite far) from the water to the drum circle. He said that he was a crab.
Finally, we made it to the drum circle that we had been hearing since the beginning of our beach hike.
That's one cool dude standing there with that brilliant idea of a wagon.
Beach beauty on the way to the most disgusting public restroom ever.
Ever. So awful.
The drum circle (behind dancers) with dancers and hula-hoopers in front.
Time to head off into the sunset.
Mommy giving Kellan a lesson in rinsing sand in the shallow ocean waves.
Sweet moments with my sweet boy.
Day one was AMAZING!
We loved it.
Oliver was in Heaven.
Kellan was happy (not quite heaven... yet)
Mommy and Daddy were thrilled and so happy to be in the sun and sand instead of the snow and ice.
Just think, this is only day one!
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