Point Clear, AL

Thursday we got up and drove to our second destination, The Grand Hotel at Point Clear, Alabama.  We have never beached in AL, so I wasn't sure where to look for a room.  And it was last minute.  And Brad wanted to use his Marriott points, so we were limited.  There was nothing available in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores or any place we had heard of, so we just went with The Grand.  It was on the bay, so it wasn't the white sand and turquoise water that we're used to when we visit the Gulf, but it was a really nice, historic hotel and exactly what we needed for this trip.  Our room was right on the beach.  We didn't have to drag any towels or chairs or umbrellas or coolers.  The resort had everything we needed.  We never even left for food because the restaurants were so good.  And the pool was awesome!  They also had lots of fun activities for families: waterslide, playground, bicycles, kayaks, sailboats, jet skis, croquet, ping pong, putt putt, boccie ball, an old cannon fired daily, and a really nice spa and golf course.  It would be fun with or without kids!


We hit the pool Thursday afternoon. You can tell both kiddos were a little worn out!

Aunt Jenn was the best!  Brad kept joking and calling her the nanny, but she really was so helpful with the kids!  She was photographer/entertainer/bathroom duty/hold and carry/pack and play/super aunt!  She drew the line at sleeping with the little critters!  Ha!  Not really, but here's how the sleeping arrangements went down.  In Orlando we had a suite, so she was able to have her own space even though she was on a pull-out couch.  ME stayed in our room on a pallet made out of the couch cushions.  And Rhett slept great in the packnplay!  But at The Grand, we had a room with double beds.  I saved Jenn from sleeping with ME by putting 2 chairs together, piling blankets and pillows around it, wrapping a curtain around it, and calling it a tent.  ME thought it was super cool!  Thanks, Jenn for coming with us and being so fun and great with the kids!

Sweet, sweet boy

Can you spot ME?

She was too little to ride the waterslide, but Mommy and Daddy may or may not have gone down it without her ;)

Supper poolside

This boy was a vacation trooper.  Worst part about traveling with a baby...washing bottles in a hotel sink.  Ick!

Mess!

Sunset posin'

Saturday morning we went to the yummiest breakfast buffet.  Then we walked around the resort and found these poles with fresh bait on the pier.  Of course Daddy and ME had to drop a line.

 

Nothin' bitin'

Then the girls hit the beach!  And would you believe...took a kayak out on the water?

We saw a HUGE crab with blue claws, but I wasn't quick enough with the net.

I actually got to LAY on the beach for a while.  Jenn and I took turns building sand castles ;)

The boys were napping and didn't show up until lunchtime.  We were ready to eat and move to the pool!

He loves the water just like sister!



Can you say chubba wubba?

We had a great time, minus staying up late every night to watch the Hogs lose to SC in the CWS :(