Like all people, there is that one day where you must take photos on the beach…you know…all dolled up.  Roomie & I chose to wait til the very last possible day to do this.  We caught as much sun as possible before we decided to take photos.  I think they turned out amazing and I even got to act a little crazy during them.  After our photo op’s we hit up Pompano Joes for some yummy Pina Coladas.

Would you look at those waves.  The night we choose to have our beach photo-op the waves were bigger than I had ever imagine.  It would’ve been great to bust out the boogie board I bought and see what I could’ve done out there, but I didn’t.  I figure the board will come out next time, on our next big trip to Florida.

Think you all can guess where I’m headed?  Just wish I had my swimsuit on instead of my dress.  I just might be able to pull off the swimsuit under my clothes next time we do a beach photo shop.

I love the water.  Try to keep me out – I dare you.

A toe goes in.  I was a tiny bit afraid a wave would splash directly up my dress.  That happened later, but I was happy that it didn’t happen off the bat.  It gave me awhile to warm up to the water.

I flip flopped back & forth between the 2 pools at our condo and of course, the beach.  For a solid week I worked on my tan, listened to my ipod, and read a few books.  Not to mention I did hit up the Outlet Mall a few times too.  It was a great vacation and I’m glad I got to spend it with my cousins & the Roomie.

About to show us all what she can do.  It was a week spent perfecting the front flip in the water.  I had to show off exactly what her daring cousin could do, which was a perfect back flip as well as a front flip.  After I did that, I was the coolest cousin alive.

There she goes.  She’s funny to watch because of how she plugs her nose.  Which just so happens to be something her mother does as well.  She loves the water and nose plugs.  Yes, I said nose plugs.  Another mother/daughter thing.

The pool at the other side of our condos.  It was a much deeper pool and I hung out here too, catching all the rays I could.  It was phenomenal having two pools to hang out in and just float and float all day.  I loved not having to worry about a shark coming up from the depths of the pool and biting a chunk out of my raft.  That I truly enjoyed not worrying about.

The pool right outside our condo.  I could’ve jumped from our balcony and landed in the pool, that’s what I mean by it was just outside our room.  Then again, we were on the 3rd floor and I wasn’t going to risk my life for a little fun, so I kept my jumping feelings at bay and stayed on the balcony.

I’m thrilled that we only had one major rainy day in Florida the entire week that we were there.  Just one.  I mean I know there would come a day in our vacation where we’d have rain and such, so the rain was a much welcomed surprise for all of us.  Roomie & I were able to watch the storm roll in.  It was just like being in Oklahoma and watching those storms roll in, except this time there weren’t any warnings of tornadoes popping up which was great because I had no idea where the tornado shelters were.

Would you look at that picture.  The ocean is still sunny, while our condo is engulfed in clouds and what looks to be rainy weather headed our way.

Looking back at the storm headed our way.  It doesn’t look that bad.  It rained for hours and when it finally let up, I hit the beach.  You bet I hit the beach in my bikini after the rain and it was cold.

I was surprised there were still people on the beach after that storm rolled in.  Rain gushed for a little over a hour, which is why I was so shocked there were people still out and about on the beach.  Some of those people were even dry which was even more fascinating to me.  Clearly they didn’t go in for shelter because a majority of everyone’s things were still strewn all over the beach.

This guy was fishing.  I sat and watched him awhile just to see if he’d catch anything, like a shark!  That was a huge negative, he didn’t catch anything while I was standing there.  Thankful again for him not catching anything because I would’ve hated to have seen what would’ve came out of the ocean and what I would’ve been swimming with.

Fisherman casting out again.  His bait looked massive compared to the bait I use here in Oklahoma.  That could be because we don’t have huge fish in our lakes, let alone sharks.

Check out those skies and the sea foam green water.  I never knew the beach was pretty after it rained.  It wasn’t anything I expected to see, it was a nice surprise.

The ocean itself was a different color after the rain.  I didn’t get in, the water was very cold so I just walked around and snapped pictures and people watched.  I love to people watch, especially while on vacation.

Super sweet.  Too bad I didn’t have anyone to send this home to.  Maybe next year I’ll be able to send something like this back to the person I am in love with, better yet, I hope that next year I’m with the guy I’m in love with.  A girl can dream, right?

Just a random beach condo right on the beach.  I would’ve love to have rented from here, but there is no way I can afford to do anything like that now or until I’m employed.  This college girl is on a budget.  Yes, college girl and budget may not fit in the same sentence, but it’s a word I must live with for awhile now.

Now this is what I really wanted to say.  Rent out the entire house and live right on the beach.  I could only imagine falling asleep to the ocean sounds at night.  Waves crashing on the beach and peering out the windows and seeing what’s lurking outside cause you never know what you’re going to find.

This was the very first time the kids ever saw a beach.  I mean any beach.  They were a bit ecstatic to say the least.  I mean they ran across the street from where our condos.  Then proceeded to run down the stairs and onto the sand for the first time.  Seeing the kiddos react to feeling the sand between their toes and seeing the ocean for the first time was priceless.  It was great getting to experience that with them and seeing the reactions of their faces.  Hopefully they will all remember their trip to the beach with Roomie & I.

My Shadow going Oh My Gosh, this feels amazing.  She didn’t want to leave the sand and the huge smile on her face was priceless.  I don’t think she could quite get over just how good the sand felt, she had to squish it between her toes and wiggle her feet beneath the sand.

All 4 kiddos enjoying the sand between their toes.  This was the first time they had beach sand between their toes.  Soooo happy I got to experience this special moment with them.

Puhlease can we go see the water?  Wish granted girls, wish granted.  I mean we absolutely don’t have to go change into our suits, let’s just go full force into the ocean in our clothes.  Yes, that’s a grand idea!

Sisters.  They crack me up sometimes.  I think they were both shell shocked they were at the beach and had the ocean behind them.

Little Man wanted to get closer to the water, so off we took to walk down to the water.  First the kids all were lectured on the ocean and swimming and such.  They were really ready to go change into their swim suits and jump in the ocean.  They were really ready to do this, instead their father had different ideas!

What was the bright idea?  Just go stick your toes in!  Anyone wonder how well that idea worked out?  Let’s just say I was the only one who left the beach drenched.  Only because the guy with the bright idea decided it would be fun to run into the water Baywatch style and knock me over.  All I have to say about that, guy with the bright idea, is that you’re lucky I didn’t have a camera in my hand!

This is cool!  That’s all I kept hearing the entire time we were in the water.  I think he really enjoyed experiencing the ocean and I loved getting splashed…while I was still clothed.

Video equipment rolling,  fancy smancy camera snapping away and 2 awesome cousins to keep the little ones happy and content; check, check, check.  I thoroughly enjoyed getting to act like a big kid again and do things I wouldn’t have otherwise.

After the Arkansas clan left the condo, Roomie & I had our own down time fun.  We went parasailing, rented wave runners, and even did some more shopping.  800+ feet up in the air is breath taking.  It wasn’t windy and it was super quiet.  Roomie & I talked and looked at the marine life from up in the air.  We saw lots of fish, sting rays, and lots of other marine life.

800 feet above the ocean water.  It did cross my mind about what would happen if the rope snapped.  I didn’t want to experience that, but I’m the risk taker so I welcomed the big risk Roomie & I took on our Parasailing adventure.  I’m very thankful she chose to tag along and took the big risk, despite her play it safe attitude.  Now do you see why I’m the wild child?

We weren’t flying too long before our guides started pulling us back in.  I wanted to keep going.  The views were amazing from where we were.  You could see for miles.  I didn’t want to be pulled in, I wanted to keep going.  Still chatting away.  It was extremely peaceful while we were up there.  Roomie & I talked about our next game play and what we needed to do for the remainder of the week.  We did spot a few massive stingrays while we were up there and I must say I’m happy I wasn’t in the water down there with those huge aquatic animals.

If you’ll notice the helicopter behind Roomie & I, it was out hunting for sharks.  No, I’m not kidding.  Just before we going to get dunked in the water a helicopter is hunting sharks just behind us.  Roomie & I had no idea this was happening until we got back to the condo and saw this photo as proof.  Then it was a little unnerving.