A few days after Thanksgiving, after eating all our leftovers and emerging from our turkey coma, we packed our bags and headed down to the beach for a few days of sunshine and Florida fun. We tried a new (to us) location this time - Anna Maria Island - which we've heard wonderful things about. We rented a charming little bungalow, right off the beach, with a heated pool out back and plenty of lizards running around the yard to keep the littles entertained. The waves were cold, but the sunshine was warm, the sand was so soft, the tidepools were teeming, the seafood was savory and the light was absolutely Lovely (with a capital L). Plus, the beaches were nearly deserted and we felt like we owned miles of white sandy stretches. Basically, the whole place was a photographer's dream, so it's no surprise that I took a million photos. I had a very hard time narrowing it down to less than 100 to post today!
Every morning we'd take the kids to the beach at low tide to check out all the fun creatures in the tidepools. We found all kinds of crabs, sea slugs, conch, sharks teeth, hermit crabs, puffer fish, whelk, minnows, snails and every type of shell imaginable. We watched pods of dolphins swim by, skipped sand dollars, chased seagulls, fed heron, fished off the beach (caught a shark!), made sandcastles, found buried treasure, collected shells and just splashed in the waves. Evenings were also lovely, with some of the most spectacular sunsets I've ever seen. It was a really wonderful little getaway and someplace I'd love to go back to and explore a bit more.
Until we meet again, I'll be dreaming of the islands...
Gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteCan I shop in Mim's closet?
Wow, great shots!! Beautiful photography and it did seem like you guys owned the beach! I've always thought about checking AM out. How does it compare to Rosemary Beach?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds and looks amazing! I love the pictures. What kind of lens did you use for them?
ReplyDeleteAlmost all of these were shot with my 50mm f/1.4 lens. That lens never comes off my camera. A couple are iPhone pix. ;) I'm sure you can tell the difference!
DeleteAMAZING. That pic of you & Mac with the sunset - breathtaking. You gotta make that one into a canvas print or something!
ReplyDeleteWould love any info on where you stayed :)
Wow! These pictures are absolutely beautiful. Looks like you all had an amazing time!
ReplyDeleteLooks beautiful. I had done some research and inquired about staying there last year and then my husband lost his job. Some day we will get there. A friend of mine goes there frequently and loves it.
ReplyDeleteHow in the world did you ever bring yourself to leave? That place is literally every sea-loving kids dream! I can only imagine how much Mac and Mim loved it all!
ReplyDeleteAs always... these pictures are DREAMY. I'm obsessed with all the sun drenched ones. I don't know how you convinced yourself to leave... but I love seeing your kids just play. You're doing such a great job with them, mama!
ReplyDeleteYup, I totally want to be on that beach RIGHT NOW! I look out my office window to see piles of snow & slush. :(
ReplyDeleteWow! What a gorgeous beach! We really need to get the kids to the beach again sometime SOON. It's been 3 years! I have never seen THAT many shells (or seagulls!) on the beach- amazing! Your kids look like they soaked it all in and had a blast and what beautiful photos you got!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
curlycraftymom.com
LOVE these pictures so much!!! What a wonderful vacay!!!
ReplyDeletePlease come photograph my next vacation, my lord, these pics are gorgeous and tell such a story of a fun time had. What a treasure.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous gorgeous photos !!! Looks like you all had a wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics as always!! Your kiddos are really starting to favor so much! You can definitely tell they are siblings.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, these pictures are giving me serious vacation envy, especially because it's currently during down rain. Whenever I think of a beach trip, I always think of Hawaii because it's close, but we really need to take a trip to the East Coast! We're missing so much beauty!
ReplyDeleteSara! These photos are so dreamy. Mim and Mac look like they are in their happy place!
ReplyDeleteI know I say this all the time, but your pictures are phenomenal!!! So dreamy and the sunlight/glow is just beyond perfect! Looks like such a fun getaway!
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