Annual St. Simons Island Vacation with Gram

We returned home Saturday from a week long beach vacation to St. Simons Island with Gram. The kids and I look forward to this annual trip each year. This year was our third time. We soaked up every minute especially since next year will be a little more challenging with a six month old baby in tow. :)

Gram completely understands how to have a successful trip with two young kids. The key is staying busy the entire time, and Gram was up to the challenge. We spent our days visiting the beach, swimming at the pool, eating a lot of ice cream, exploring the local shops, climbing the lighthouse, checking out the fishermens' catches on the pier (the favorite was the sharks!), and eating out every night for dinner.

Tuttle was obsessed with the ocean, and we could hardly keep him out. I attempted beach pictures at dusk one evening and turned around to find Tuttle swimming in his clothes!

Maggie liked the ocean on the first day until the tide started to come up. She completely freaked out and was not calm until we were on the boardwalk and away from the water. I think she was under the impression that the water was coming to get her. The next time we went to the beach she sat in Gram's lap and would not get within an inch of the water. Hopefully she overcomes this fear because Tuttle and I had a blast riding his boogie board and crashing into the waves.

Gram's favorite memory of Maggie was watching her hunt for shells on the beach (before the tide incident). We found some shells that contained residents, so Maggie was very cautious with each find. She would lean in very closely and say, "Hello! Is anyone in there?" It cracked us up! :)

Like every year one of the highlights of the trip is the beach house. It is so comfortable, and the rooms are decorated straight out of a coastal magazine. The kids definitely think it is our personal beach house.

We found a few new restaurants this year that we will return to every year from now on. Our favorites included Bubba Garcias, Palmers (for breakfast), The Half Shell, and Palm Coast Cafe. 

I cannot thank Gram enough for our trip to St. Simons Island. She is providing the kids with lifelong memories, and I love having special time with my mom away from the hustle and bustle of real life. We love you so much, Gram!