Labor Day Beach Trip 2013

So last Thursday afternoon Chris and I left work early and headed down to Gulf Shores. For those of you who haven't lived in Alabama, you may not realize that beaches in Alabama exist. Well they do, and they are beautiful! We went down for Memorial Day weekend, and decided to get in one last summer trip this labor day. I am so glad we were able to go. We went with Chris's sister, her husband and son. We always have the best time with them! We all get a long so well, and it is just so easy. Plus Will (our 3 year old nephew) is pretty darn entertaining and keeps it real!

Andrea and Chad got down Wednesday night, so Thursday while we were working and traveling, they were nice enough to do all the grocery shopping for the week. While we are down there, we always make biscuits or have donuts for breakfast, have sandwiches and chips for lunch, and most nights we cook dinner in. Usually one night we try to grill out, and there is always one night that we try to eat out because we do love some beach food. Crab claws are a must, duh!

This trip did not disappoint! It was just so relaxing to not have any real plans. We all got up when we wanted to, did or didn't do what we wanted to and just relaxed. Nearly every moment down there was time spent soaking in the sun at the pool. And the views. Amazing.

 

 

On Monday morning, Andrea and I headed out to get some water bottles, we ran out as we always tend to do. We were driving back down Fort Morgan Road, and you could see a storm rolling in over the bay. Next thing you know, I saw a waterspout start to form! Andrea and I were watching it as we tried to find a side road to shoot down so we could see it better, there were a lot of trees blocking our view. As soon as we got down a road and parked, it sucked back up in to the sky. It was incredible. We weren't able to capture any pictures of it, so we headed back to the condo. A few minutes after we got in, another storm rolling in over the ocean. We sat out on the balcony and sure enough, another waterspout formed! It is amazing to see in person. I am much less afraid of waterspouts than land tornados, for obvious reasons. We all stood out on the balcony and watched the storm for a good 20 minutes. I was excited because I tweeted a picture of the waterspout to James Spann and he retweeted it, put it on his Facebook page AND started following me on Twitter. So I am kind of a big deal now. (Just kidding, but I was for real excited about it, for those of you in the Birmingham area.....you know James Spann is the man!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can literally see the sheets of rain falling in this last picture. Like I said, it was incredible!

 

 

 

Monday evening we went for dinner at Mikee's. We love this place! It is not a touristy type of place, they have amazing appetizers and their Amberjack fish is just to die for. I got amberjack, new potatoes, corn fritters and hush puppies with my meal. We ordered crab claws and cheese sticks for the appetizer. We have had their fried pickles there last time and they were awesome too! 

 

The picture below is from our last morning at the beach. It rained off and on our entire way home.

 

Wednesday morning I picked up the fur balls from the boarding place. Mac was so happy to see me. He ran up to me and gave me lots and lots of kisses. He did not move from my lap in the car, and stared up at me most of the way home. Just a sweet heart.

 

Gracie was her usual Puggle self, and she was angry with me that I left her for a week. Woe is me she says. Look at that face. Just ridiculous! It's OK Gracie, mommy still loves you even if you half heartily jumped up on me after you ignored me for 3 minutes and walked with one of the vet techs when I came to get you. I saw your tail wag....you can't fool me.