Sun and Sand

Sanibel Island, Florida...gulf coast, lots of shells, and some sun and sand!  Well, it was more overcast for most of our stay, but the sun did peek through during the days and our last day there was the most beautiful.  Jason and I had been before when I was pregnant with Raleigh and thought it would be fun to go back because it was a quiet beach.  Well, it was either because we were next to a public beach access or more people have found out about it, but it was far from quiet.  The mornings were more peaceful than the afternoons, but it didn't keep us from having a great time!

Raleigh getting her first look at the beach!

 

Loving it!  We can thank Papa for her having gum right after breakfast (or any other time of the day) and always having it show in pictures...at least it's sugar free!

 Working on her first sand castle!

 The finished product

 The ocean was great!  The worst part was walking over all the shells to get in and the waves were just big enough to jump at times!

 We even found a feather floating in the ocean one day!

 With Grandma and Papa

 The wind on the beach was perfect for flying a kite.  Raleigh was so excited to fly her kites, but after about a minute of it she was done!

 I love this little girl...

 and then she turns around and tells me to STOP taking pictures!  :)

 Trying to see her footprint

 After you play in the sand you have to wash off the sand...this is how it's done Raleigh style!

 Building our last sand castle of the week!

And if we weren't at the beach then you could always find us at the pool.  Raleigh preferred the pool over the ocean...especially if our new friends were there!  We met the sweetest family that lives in Orlando and they had three kids.  Not that Raleigh would play with their daughter, but she sure did love to talk like she did.  They also helped her some with her swimming when she watched them (their 2 year old could swim better than her!)  I however was very jealous of the mom's job she had before kids...she was a dolphin trainer!  She worked at Discovery Cove and filled us in on the Sea World info...jealous!!! The pool time was filled with...

jumping in

 swimming...Raleigh would swim the whole length of the pool with just the noodle

 dancing like the dolphin girl

 playing basketball...look at that form!

 swimming with Papa (for the record Grandma got in too, but I didn't get pictures of it...she stood in one spot the whole time!)

 throwing the frisbee

 practicing more swimming

 more jumping

 shooting the water gun

 floating

 family time

 and just being silly!

I love the beach and the pool!  We even have a little bit of a tan to prove we were there.  :)