The water was absolutely beautiful - so clear!
We wondered why so many in St. Louis head to Destin for beach vacations -now we know. It was a great week!
The fishing pier is off in the distance beyond the beach grass. Destin is known for its excellent fishing - even off the pier.
Lauren is checking out the mini-dunes. The sand was beautiful - it felt and looked like flour.
We spent lots of time looking at the ocean from our balcony.
There was a family fun area across the street from our condo. We somehow convinced Annika to ride in a go-cart with me. It was a wooden track and halfway through (after being passed by Daddy and Lauren) she turned to me with a look of fear and asked, "Mommy, how do we know these boards aren't going to break?"
A and L enjoyed the kiddie rides.
While Grandpa and Grandma watched A and S, we ventured out on a dolphin watching cruise with A and L.
Just beyond the channel the water was an incredible green color. Let the dolphin show begin!
I spy a dolphin!
This man (Mr. Marler) was our tour guide. He was in his 80's. His Dad was one of the men who founded Destin and the bridge between Okaloosa Island and Destin is named the Marler Bridge. He spoke with nostalgia about the early days - before the beachfront was covered with condos. I can only imagine how discouraged he is by the effects of the oil spill.
The boat captain looks a little concerned that Lauren (especially with that sinister grin!) has taken the wheel .
Ahhh, now we can all relax . . . Annika's at the wheel.
It's kinda hard to keep your "eye on the ball" when your eyes are closed, BUT they are both loving playing softball which makes us very happy.
A and S loved climbing under this piece of furniture.
It was pretty nice to have a large balcony where we could feed the babies and look out over the ocean.
A and S's "bedroom" was the master bath. Thankfully there were 2 bathrooms in our condo.
Yes, that is Karl and me. We were crazy enough to try parasailing and, no, we did not take the children (thanks Grandpa and Grandma!).
For our date night we went to a seafood restaurant, took in some fireworks, and walked the beach.
No, Karl did not eat all this. It was a delicious seafood sampler for 2.
This is the view from the porthole on our balcony. If you look closely, you can see Karl and Annika in the pool.
It was fun to hang out with Aunt Lesley and Uncle Eric for the first part of the week.
This face says, "I LOVE swimming!
Daddy and Uncle Eric hanging out at the pool with A and L.
The set up at the condo was perfect for our family.
Who said surfing requires water?
About 30 stingrays swam next to shore.
Family dinner at a seafood restaurant on the beach.
Don't they look like little grown-ups? I'm not quite sure why Annika has her goggles on. I don't ask too many questions these days.
Bath time for Sami.
Annika became braver and braver as the week went on. She was the only one of the kids who eventually braved the ocean by herself. 
Hanging out on the fishing pier.
We had a great week with Grandpa and Grandma!
The fishing pier is off in the distance beyond the beach grass. Destin is known for its excellent fishing - even off the pier.
Lauren is checking out the mini-dunes. The sand was beautiful - it felt and looked like flour.
We spent lots of time looking at the ocean from our balcony.
There was a family fun area across the street from our condo. We somehow convinced Annika to ride in a go-cart with me. It was a wooden track and halfway through (after being passed by Daddy and Lauren) she turned to me with a look of fear and asked, "Mommy, how do we know these boards aren't going to break?" 
A and L enjoyed the kiddie rides.
While Grandpa and Grandma watched A and S, we ventured out on a dolphin watching cruise with A and L.
Just beyond the channel the water was an incredible green color. Let the dolphin show begin!
I spy a dolphin!
This man (Mr. Marler) was our tour guide. He was in his 80's. His Dad was one of the men who founded Destin and the bridge between Okaloosa Island and Destin is named the Marler Bridge. He spoke with nostalgia about the early days - before the beachfront was covered with condos. I can only imagine how discouraged he is by the effects of the oil spill.
The boat captain looks a little concerned that Lauren (especially with that sinister grin!) has taken the wheel .
Ahhh, now we can all relax . . . Annika's at the wheel.
It's kinda hard to keep your "eye on the ball" when your eyes are closed, BUT they are both loving playing softball which makes us very happy.
A and S loved climbing under this piece of furniture.
It was pretty nice to have a large balcony where we could feed the babies and look out over the ocean.
A and S's "bedroom" was the master bath. Thankfully there were 2 bathrooms in our condo.
Yes, that is Karl and me. We were crazy enough to try parasailing and, no, we did not take the children (thanks Grandpa and Grandma!).
For our date night we went to a seafood restaurant, took in some fireworks, and walked the beach.
No, Karl did not eat all this. It was a delicious seafood sampler for 2.
This is the view from the porthole on our balcony. If you look closely, you can see Karl and Annika in the pool.
It was fun to hang out with Aunt Lesley and Uncle Eric for the first part of the week.
This face says, "I LOVE swimming!
Daddy and Uncle Eric hanging out at the pool with A and L.
The set up at the condo was perfect for our family.
Who said surfing requires water?
About 30 stingrays swam next to shore.
Family dinner at a seafood restaurant on the beach.
Don't they look like little grown-ups? I'm not quite sure why Annika has her goggles on. I don't ask too many questions these days.
Bath time for Sami.
Annika became braver and braver as the week went on. She was the only one of the kids who eventually braved the ocean by herself. 
Hanging out on the fishing pier.
We had a great week with Grandpa and Grandma!
