Bittersweet Memories

About to load up and head out.

Lizzie & Nikki

The beach at Emerald Rv Park

Lizzie, Nikki & Ryan

Some of the good food, wish I'd remembered to take the pic before we started eating.

The whole crew.

The Boardwalk with the Johanson Band.

The view from our front door.

Ryan & Shane just before we left to come home.

   A few weeks back we had the pleasure of making a trip to Emerald Beach RV Park in Navarre, Florida, with four of our grandchildren.   This trip was for what our granddaughter Lizzie calls the "blood kin grandkids". lol  No, we don't make a distinction, that's just the way she has chosen to explain to those who ask.  Ryan (17) our firstborn grandson, Shane (17) our second grandson, Nikki (16) our first granddaughter and Lizzie (14) our second granddaughter, my husband Dick, our canine companion Killer and me....lots of folks in a small area but it was such fun!  We drove down Friday morning, picked up the rental car and got set up.  Then it was off shopping at the Santa Rosa Mall.  The girls went one way, the boys the other and we found a good place to sit and people watch.  We got a snack and just rested and enjoyed ourselves while the kids were spending money.   The boys came back after buying their girlfriends jewelry...nothing for themselves.  The girls found a few things they wanted and then it was off to dinner.  The lady at Enterprise car rental had suggested a barbecue place on Hwy 87 so we decided to try it.  I wasn't sure about it when we pulled up but the lady had told us that it didn't look like much on the outside but the food was good.  The closer we got the more my misgivings rose...the music was loud and it kind of looked like what used to be called a "roadside tavern".   After we were seated I saw other families with their kids so I relaxed a little and decided to give it a try.  The food was very good and plenty of it.  There was a small dance floor and a couple of ladies who were feeling no pain. lol  We got a kick out of watching them dance and listening to the band.   When we pulled out my husband turned left and we quickly realized he should have gone across the road further before turning left...yep, u got it...we were going down the wrong side of the road.  He quickly turned but not before some serious ribbing from the grandkids.   The boys went down to the beach with flashlights and buckets going "crabbing".   Late nite, we made it to bed around 1 a.m.
   The next morning we all decided to go swimming...it was really nice.  This place is bayside so the waves weren't too bad.  It was such a gorgeous day and we all enjoyed it.  My husband met two other fellas who were from Alabama and spent some time talking with them and crabbing with the boys.  After showers we headed over to Crabs We Gott em and if u haven't eaten there, I suggest u try it.  The food is fantastic, the service is great and it's right on the gulf.  After stuffing ourselves Nikki decided she wanted a dessert called Death by Chocolate so we ordered that and left.  Now for more shopping at the mall across the street.  We found a nice area to sit and listen to a band called the Johanssons on the boardwalk.  They were really good, and watching the moon come up over the gulf was so nice.  Around 8:30 we decided to head back and let the kids have some beach time before bed.  Dick went to bed early but I didn't get to sleep til 2:30.  The next morning was spent just cooking breakfast and packing up to head home since 3 of the kids had to be in school the next day.
    We enjoyed the company of these wonderful young folks so much!  Each one is such a blessing and it was nice to have them all together...something that I don't know if we'll be able to do again so I was extra thankful for this weekend.  They each have a full life and busy schedule...Ry and Shane are seniors so they will be off to college next year, Nikki is in the 10th and Lizzie is in the 9th grade.  It's hard to realize they have grown up so quickly but young adults they are.  I thank Heavenly Father every day for them and our other grandchildren...Aryn (18), Miles (16), Erran (19), Allison (13) and Kayla (16).  All these wonderful young folks hold a special place in our hearts and lives.  We are so proud of them all!
   I'm fairly new to blogging so I hope to add our pictures of the trip.  It's been a long time since my last post and I hope to change that from now on.  I enjoy all the blogs I follow and I realize how nice it is to "hear" from them every day so I will make the effort to post more often...it won't be every day because we aren't on the road that often but hopefully at least every week.