operation vacation

we are leaving for destin soon...but, it's not a vacation. let me explain...last summer, i told a friend we were leaving to go on a vacation for a week with the kids...she quickly corrected me and said, "brandy...there is no such thing as a vacation with your kids. what you are taking is called a family trip! vacations only occur when the kids are left at home" i love it. and it is SO true :) but we are going to have SO much fun...i can't wait. there are about 50 of us going...all from my mom's side of the family. lots of cousins for the kids...lots of alcohol for the adults. here are a few of the fun things i have packed to go...

a cooler for each kid for down @ the beach. ellis will love getting to pack hers every morning :) from target!

you can't tell from this picture but these are BIG oversize shovels...his and hers. from petite maison :)

i had to throw in their matching plates!

little miss spoiled gets to open a present every 50 miles...oh yeah, did i mention we were driving? good times. anyways, i had an aunt who did this for a road trip we took to colorado when i was young...such a fun idea :) when she saw these presents she said "is it my birthday already?"

so beckett is OBSESSED with popsicles. really, truly obsessed. all day long he stands at the freezer saying "pop pop"..."pop pop"...if i didn't know him i would think he must have a disorder of some sort. my friend cassie gave ellis one of these holders for her birthday last year...my kids LOVE them...dripstick is the brand. they are being packed :)

"MELMO" is beckett's other latest obsession. he smiles bigger than ever when he sees elmo. and i am pretty sure he thinks all of the puppets are him...all of the red ones for sure. "MELMO, MELMO..." all day long. when he takes a break from the freezer that is :) so this is one of beckett's new toys for the car...i am not wrapping his because he doesn't know the difference!

along with these items, i have his and hers flashlights for crab spotting at night, his and hers fans for the beach, h & h sand buckets, h & h towels, etc. and of course, "matching" swimsuits. you knew that was coming right? also...bebe has bought every single DVD that target & wal-mart sell. i think we are well equipped...now i just want to GO!