Santa Rosa Beach

We had our annual beach trip with Papa Doc, KK, Brad and his family last week at Santa Rosa Beach.  This year we stayed at a house in a beach community, and would ride our bikes to the beach that was less than 1/2 a mile away.  We all had a great time together, and made lots of fun memories!!

Hayden turned 15 while we were there.  This was a surprise "party" that Jennifer put together one night.  

Brad relaxing on the tube next to Mary Varner.  The water was really calm and clear the first day.

Janey got a jellyfish sting the second day so she spent most of her time playing in the sand after that.

Papa Doc and MV playing frisbee

We all rented a pontoon boat one day and had the whole day to boat around in the bay.  We started the day going to the opposite side of the bay to a rope swing that Brad knew about from some of his friends.  We spent a good chunk of time at the rope swing, and then by lunch we headed to crab island.  Mary Varner thought that because it was named crab island that she would be able to catch alot of crabs.  Well, there are no crabs on crab island.  It is a shallow area of the bay where lot of people go in their boats to do some of the fun water activities there.  Crab island has lots of play things for kids to participate in all anchored in about 3 ft deep water.  I could not take pictures because I was out in the water with the girls helping them onto and off of the inflatable water slide, trampoline, and this space shuttle inflatable that you hung onto as it tilted in different directions until everyone fell into the water.  Mary Varner went down the inflatable water slide (yes, just like the one she broke her leg on) about 15 times and loved it.  Janey went down it about four times and cried each time once she fell into the water at the bottom. After Crab Island, we decided to go across to this secluded beach area and hang out on the beach for a little bit.  Allie and Mary Varner caught about six hermit crabs, and Janey (with the help of Aunt Jenny) caught some tiny little fish.   

Hayden and his friend, Colten

Just the kids could do the rope swing because it was pretty shallow water.  Here is one of Mary Varner going on the swing. Janey thought about going but decided not to go once she got up the cliff.

A Paddle Board came with the boat.  Everyone took turns, but soon learned that the younger smaller kids had a much easier time staying on the board.

Mary Varner did a great job on the paddle board.

Janey hanging out with Papa Doc on the boat watching all the activity

Jim's turn

Mary Varner driving the boat

The place that we rented the boat from told us that anyone six and under had to wear a life jacket while the boat was moving.  Janey did not mind wearing the life jacket

Janey decided to cover up in the towels and rest for a short time

Janey driving the boat

We saw lots of dolphins while boating in the bay.  Here is a picture of one as we went along.

Allie and MV lived in the water with these big tubes