Gorkow Family Vacation - Pensacola Beach - 2013

Being on vacation made me realize how often I am with our kids, but not really WITH them.  You know what I mean?  I am so focused on the next thing on my list, the next place to be, event to attend, etc that I have been missing out on conversations, fun times, and memories.  I haven't noticed the subtle changes the kids are making in their appearance and demeanor. This vacation was just what I needed to reconnect and refocus my priorities.

In the short time that we have been home, I tried to have conversations, play games, and just be together before they head off to school and our schedule becomes crazy again.

Here are some of the highlights from our trip to Pensacola Beach!

We spent our first night in Metropolis, Illinois and then realized Superman was right next door.  

We then headed to Nashville to spend time with my BFF, Tammy and her family. We checked out this Sky High place that is basically full of indoor trampolines.  The kids and the dads had a blast!

Yes, Tammy, I had to put our photo on here! Send me a bill! ;)

As soon as we got to our hotel, we couldn't wait to get on the beach!

Couldn't you just look at this every single day?

Our view from the balcony of our hotel room.  This never got old!  

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express.  I highly recommend this hotel as the customer service was top notch, the rooms were clean, and the location was perfect! Every room has a gulf view with balcony!

The sunsets were just as amazing as they are in my backyard.

Beach day!

We took a drive out through the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which also led us to Fort Pickens. 

Another afternoon on the beach and the boys tried out paddle boarding.

We took an evening dolphin cruise with Premier Dolphin Cruises. 

I highly recommend the evening cruise. The sunset was amazing and we saw several dolphins.  

The dolphins were tough to catch on camera, but here are a couple photos.

They were a lot of fun to watch and we were treated to another sighting on our last morning.  

We spotted one while watching from our hotel room balcony just off the edge of the shore.  

We had one rainy day and the water was full of vivid and amazing colors 

of greens and blues after the storm came through.  The photo doesn't do it justice.

Being so close to a Navy base, we were treated to a few fly overs by the Blue Angels.  I also recommend visiting the Naval Air Museum if you ever visit this area.  We toured it on our last trip here.  

One of my favorite things about the beach is standing on the edge of the water 

and feeling the tide roll in and out over your feet.  I could do this for hours!

Our last night on the beach.  We hated to leave, but know we will be back again!

Another great Gorkow Family Vacation in the books!