{Belated} Vacay Recap & Picture Dump

As I've mentioned before, Derek was in Seattle for the month of July. Shelby & I were bummed that he would be gone, but the TDY couldn't have come at a better time as July is usually the month that my family vacations every summer at a condo in Ormond Beach, Florida. So instead of being lonely and missing Derek in Biloxi, Shelby & I got to spend the month with my family at the beach..doesn't get any better than that! I posted some of our vacation pictures back in July, but here are a few {in random order} that never made it to the blog...

{beach fun!}

{early morning snuggles with Auntie Em}

{watching the afternoon storm clouds roll in with Grampy}

{we were oh so thankful that there is a good range on our baby monitor, so were able to enjoy some pool time sans baby during naps!}
{first time trying eggs & toast for breakfast..it was a hit!}

I have always looked forward to our vacations in Ormond Beach, but after I moved away from home in 2007 the trips to the beach took on a whole new meaning for me. July was the one time of the year when I got uninterrupted quality time with my family. Yes, we would come home for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but the holidays are always a busy time of year. Whenever we go home, we are always going a mile a minute trying to squeeze as much as we can into our short visit. But when we go to Ormond Beach, everything is laid back, and we just get to be together. This summer was extra special though. Not only did I get time with my family, but Shelby got to spend that time with her grandparents and aunt.

Being away from family is the hardest part of the military life {in my opinion}, so I am very thankful for our time in Ormond Beach. It was a great vacation, and we made lots of memories!