West Coast FL Birthday Trip

The last few days we took an impromptu trip for my birthday...

We got a last minute find at the Alden Suites hotel in St. Pete Beach - it was really nice!!

It had a couple of pools that the girls loved, beach access...and best was that it had a little mini kitchen so I cold make breakfast and lunch, and I had premade food for the girls so I could put it all in the fridge and unpack all the food. If you're going to travel with kids, better do it in some suites!  

For dinner that night, we went to the Guy Harvey restaurant.... it wasn't worth the prices, especially with the kids in tow, but the huge fish tank was a bonus. 

Then we promptly headed out to the beach for my first west coast sunset!

Side note, I wasn't expecting the gulf to be so salty - that was a surprise!

West Coast family sunset pic!

I would NEVER get tired of this view!

My 3 girls... they did this all on their own. 

These girls DRIVE.ME.CRAZY.... but, good gosh, I love them!

This is BY FAR one of my favoritest pictures ever!

Friday morning walk on the beach with coffee and family. We found TONS of shells to bring home!!

Then we went to Fort De Soto state park for the morning... Pictures just do not do the beauty justice.

The west coast is the clam meca of the state.

Then we went back to the hotel and the girls and Ron went to the pools and the big waterslide that was on the beach, while Caroline and I took a nap - she had a HORRIBLE night the night before.

For dinner, we went to Crabby Bill's. The food was really good and the atmosphere was great.

I tried getting a picture of Autumn in her awesome sunglasses she found with her awesome shirt. 

But she wasn't interested... haha

But when we got back to the hotel, she saw an awesome car she would do it next to - ha!

Then it was BACK to the pool and beach for one last sunset.

This is one of my FAVORITEST pictures. 

Those who know me, know my situation with my biological father. I've never really known what a daughter's love for her father was like, until I've watched it through my girls'.  It really is a beautiful thing.  

by the way.... vacationing with kids got us like...

haha! 

I have learned that you can't expect to go on vacation with kids - it's more like going on an adventure. It is NOT relaxing and it will NOT be all that you envision...so just stop trying to set those expectations...but don't STOP going.

I really truly don't think I would ever get over the beauty that is in this world!

Birthday morning walk on the beach for more shells! I mean... there was plenty to pick from..

Then we headed to the Florida Aquarium!

We paid the extra money to do the Penguin Pass... the girls LOVED it.

Then we headed to Lakeland for the drive in movie!

Again, don't set your expectations, because having a 1 year old who has a mind of her own, does make things more difficult...but the other girls loved it...and I love doing the drive in..as the kids get older, it will be easier...but this is one thing I want them to have in their memories, just like I do.

So now, I'm 34. 

I'm around another year to make more memories!!