Gulf Shores 2009 ~ Cannaday Style!

We just returned from a fabulous 2 WEEKS in beautiful Gulf Shores, AL. This first post is all about week #1 with Zach's side of the family. We have spent our summer vacation here for several years, but for the past 3 we have actually stayed in the same house. It is so fun to know exactly where we are going, where we are staying, and what to expect. {Not in a boring, repetitive way though} Each year brings so many fun, new memories!

Our family likes to start vacations early, so we head out a few nights before the week of vacation. This year Zach and I decided to break the trip up a bit and drive to Houston on Thursday night to stay with his brother. That way the next days drive was cut short by a few hours. On Friday we all meet up at a resort in Point Clear to get the party started! :) We spend the day swimming, hanging out, and chatting about how excited we are to be on vacation. They have an amazing pool area perfect for kids of all ages. Ella especially loved the water fountains and the water fall. The next day we spent a little more time in the pool and then head on to Gulf Shores!

Mommy rarely makes it into pictures...
(The camera was fogged up b/c of the moisture)


The best part is driving up to the house that we have grown to love. After unpacking we all immediately change into our bathing suits and head to the beach!

We were somewhat worried leading up to the trip about how Ella would like the sand and water at the beach. Would she hate the sand or love it enough to eat it? Would she be scared of the waves, or run full force into them? You know, the kind of things that would make or break the vacation. :) It was a relief to find out that she LOVED everything about both and had a great time playing at the beach each day! Since we have been several years in a row, we have already done the "touristy" things, so we skip that to relax and enjoy the house as a family. There were days when we got out for lunch, or to shop a bit, but for the most part we spent our time hanging out at the beach, playing paddle ball and volleyball, and catching up with one another. Night time is our favorite though because we make THE BEST dinners and desert and sit out on the deck listening to the waves and good music. I was terrible about getting pictures of the family this year because I was busy chasing around a very active 15 month old! Here are some of the highlights...

This is the only picture I got of our family and we all look a little crazy! Ha!
(Zach believes in "roughing it" completely on vacation! He hates to shave, brush his hair, or change out of his swim shorts. Guess I can't blame him since he gets dressed up for work every other day of the year!)


On Thursday of our trip, the guys (and a few girls) ventured out for an all day deep sea fishing trip. This is definitely Zach's favorite part of the trip and he looks forward to this all year long. My dad and some other extended family members also came in for the fishing trip. When they came back to the docks that evening we took all the kids to see their catch. It was unbelievable the amount of fish they brought in! Huge too!

Miss Ella had to get her hands on some fish too. Yuck! Wet wipes were in use directly after this photo was taken. :)


Zach also made it onto the leader board at the marina for catching this big Amberjack. He was so proud!


On the last day we decided to get a picture of all the grandchildren together. Little missy was not too happy about this after a long day in the sun and dinner time was approaching. We were able to snap one that she wasn't screaming and crying in though.

Marley, Shelby, Abby, Connor, Haley (with Ella)


Still not happy even with mama...


Man, do we hate to see vacation come to an end! {Well, Zach hated to see this one end more than me because he was headed back to TX, while Ella and I still had another week with my family.} Good news it that we already have the house booked and are looking forward to Summer 2010!!!

COMING SOON: Gulf Shores Round 2