Seaside Or Close Enough
We spent last week in Seaside, Florida, and I’m in recovery mode this week. It was such a relaxing vacation this year…but honestly it was the quickest week ever. It just seemed to fly. And usually I take so many pictures…once more my pregnant slacker self just took a little more laid back approach this time…which seems to be happening in every facet of my life right now.
Our rental place was outdated…think Brady Bunch (or Mad Men?), but it worked perfectly for us and I fell in love with it instantly. I think the family had just started renting it out-it was a family gathering spot for generations. It had such a sweet sentimentality about it. As old as the house was it was in pristine condition inside and out-very well taken care of. You know how much I love the beautifully decorated Seaside houses, but there was something a little more genuine “beach cottage” here.
A beautiful shell collection in the front hallway-my little ones loved this.
Cutting edge-about 40 years ago?
You needed to see a close-up of that paneling in the kitchen didn’t you?
We spent most of our time at the beach of course- we had the most beautiful weather, every minute of every day. Lucky ducks we were.
The Easter Bunny put kites in the Easter baskets.
We rented a paddle board for 3 days and it was well-used…even once by pregnant old me…although getting on that thing was quite a feat.
Abbey took this picture…yes the water is really that color and the sand is perfectly soft squishy sand.
Isaac and his friend went way way way out and did some diving and shell hunting.
Someone remind me to buy Matthew some sunglasses and a hat next time-he has my sun sensitive eyes.
Abbey and a friend went paddle boarding one day and neither were crazy about sea life. One time a school of leaping fish went right over the paddle board, and from the screams that followed I think every beach-goer far and wide thought these two girls were being eaten by sharks.
We saw Isaac for about 5 hours the entire week. To eat and/or to get money to eat. I did get to spend about 20 minutes with him to take his Senior pictures. The one thing I think is so great about this place (or that works well for us with our wide range of ages) is that I can give the older kids freedom and I feel it’s completely safe…and no driving involved for the most part.
Abbey’s bike-how cool is that.
A perfect reading corner.
A few more coming up soon-then I have to get back to real life.
I love these pictures…that bottle green water color and the squishy sand are beautiful.
It sure is beautiful there. I know it would be hard for me to come home. I kind of love that house! It has a lot of character. And you can't beat being right on the beach. Looks like everyone had a great time. 🙂
You are killing me! Looks gorgeous. I can feel the salt air in my lungs.
It all looks fabulous to me, from the other side of the world!! Looks like a great holiday was had by all!! x
What a great spot for a family holiday.
That house is amazing. Coul you share the vrbo number? Thanks
Such a retro feel, with the vintage books it was made for you!
I am curious… do you allow the older kids to text etc when on vacation? Seems so precious to see Abeey reading, and after a weekend away where my daughter was more consumed by texting than lounging or reading I am thinking the phone won't be allowed onvacation this summer!
Beautiful! Love the charm of the older home, so much history. Looks like everyone had a restful, relaxing break.
I love beach vacations! We always do the Atlantic side in fl because of the bigger surf, but the paddle boarding and being able to snorkel would be really fun. I think the house is awesome, I like how the owner embraced it's coolness and kept it authentic throughout. I am a huge Brady bunch fan, however : ). So glad you were feeling well enough to enjoy it. I buy 2 loaves f whit mountain bread every week, we love it! Delicious tasted with home ad jam!
We were just down the road from you but only there for a long Easter weekend, not the whole week (we're from Florida so the beach is an easy weekend trip). 🙂 The weather was amazing!
Oh my goodness, that looks like heaven! Would you mind sharing where exactly you stayed (I would love to look into it, but I wouldn't want to steal this secret little gem you found!)?
I'm so glad you had a wonderful vacation!!
That place is a blast from the 1970s (our) past, right?! I love it!
I'm so glad I'm not the only mom who allows junk food on vacation. What better time to let loose and let the family eat what's fun.
Thanks for sharing your awesome trip. Wish I could get back to Florida. Oh, one thing though–my husband grew up on the water and that "back porch" is really the front porch if it's water-side. We Midwesterners just don't get that, I think!
Ahh… Seaside! Our favorite place to vacation! We'll be there in Sept and I cannot wait! Love all of your beautiful pictures! And the vintage beach house is priceless! So glad y'all had a wonderfully relaxing time!
What a wonderful vacation and beautiful pictures! I'm so glad you all had a relaxing time. I love the "Mad Men" style house too…those light fixtures are priceless!
I'm going to have to live vicariously though this post for vacation this year since it'll be a no go for us.
The water looks gorgeous, and I'm glad ya'll enjoyed your week!
Love all of your pictures and so glad you all had such a nice vacation. We leave for Destin very soon and I can't wait. Seeing that beautiful water gets me even more excited 🙂
Such gorgeous pics!!! We are leaving for Panama City Beach in a week and a half and now I am more in the mood to get there than ever. Such perfect water and sand…ahhhh… I love you old fashioned beach house. I bet this is a year you won't forget!
It's like a vacation straight out of a movie! What a beautiful place! Even the Brady Bunch charm is attractive to me! I love that house!! I'm glad ya'll got to enjoy some vacation time together!
We live in the west…and I think going to the wrong ocean. The Pacific is beautiful, but often rocky, COLD, and nothing like those clear Florida waters! I think I need to make a reason we need to go out East after seeing these pictures! What fun memories!
I am so glad you posted about Seaside….we have been going to Cape San Blas….but spent a day in the Seaside area last year….loved it. I have no idea which area is which…they all seem to flow into one another…..any suggestions since we have not really been there…..
Gorgeous! Glad you guys had a nice time. do you bring friends with you or meet them ther? My daughter has been wanting to bring a friend on our family vacation and I cant decide how I feel about it.
Completely glorious. Have you thought about college and schedules? Our college kids had two completely dif. spring breaks. Doesn't really matter since we have rarely taken spring break trips. Our "vacas" now are one night stands! LOL…lots of mini trips but I absolutely love a beach vacation and how relaxing it is. And to be on the beach – totally worth it! Love the decor! Glad you had a great getaway!
Beautiful pictures! That looks SO dreamy! I think you have sold us all on seaside! What a fun annual vacation for your family! I'm glad you got to relax!
What a great vacation! I loved the charm in the house as well.
What a fun vacation! And you don't even look prego on that boat picture! You look about 22 years old….out there with a bunch of teenagers!
And I totally cracked up about the pictures you took of the chandeliers. When I was growing up, we rented a beach house in Newport Beach, CA every summer. It was very old….circa 1950s and I swear it had one of the same light fixtures you had there (it looked more like the one over the longer dining table….but it was bright orange)! We still laugh about it today! Good times, good memories!
Love it – please let us know if you are willing to share the VRBO #.
We went to Seagrove for our Spring Break and to celebrate my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. We live in Alabama but usually stay in Navarre. We loved it! I was anxious to visit Seaside after reading your blog for several years. I took lots of pictures. Its too cute. I loved the whole area. It's all so family friendly. We had our family photos taken by a great photographer to celebrate. Glad you had a great trip too!
Oh goodness, I hope the next batch has a picture of your stack of books! 🙂
Love the house, vintage and all! I'm so glad you had such a lovely time, even after all the stress before hand!
I am very happy to honour you with my Liebster Blog Award, Sarah.
Cheers!
Jeanneke.
I love all your pictures, glad you had a great time!! Because of your posts about Seaside, we decided to drive there this year for our vacation:
http://www.vrbo.com/149516
Hoping this is as nice as it looks in the ad!
Beautiful pictures Sarah! I'm so happy you were able to get away and relax with your family. Re-entry is brutal!! Hang in there this week. 🙂
Beautiful pictures Sarah! I'm so happy you were able to get away and relax with your family. Re-entry is brutal!! Hang in there this week. 🙂
Your vacation looks heavenly! I love that you guys go there every year. What a wonderful tradition that your kids will never forget.
looks like a great time!
Someday we're going to Seaside! Thought about it this year but flights have gotten so expensive. Our kids our dying to go to Florida!
That place looks great!! Can't wait for our trip! Do you mind sharing the VRBO info??
That place looks great!! Can't wait for our trip! Do you mind sharing the VRBO info??
those pictures are beautiful, I really miss the beach I am from California and just having the option to go and listen to the waves crash was all I needed to end a stressful day. Thanks for sharing
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw your first picture – we stayed in the house right next door! I recognized the beautiful windows and lone palm tree right away. We love it there too! Such a perfect place for a family vacation, and that location is great too. Glad you had a nice, relaxing break!
Your photos are simply amazing! We would love to give Seaside a try. Will you please share the rental house info, it looks just perfect!
I'm so ready … And this makes me long for school to be out even more!
Um…can I go right now?? It looks so magical. No wonder you love it so much!!
That picture of Jeff reading to Patrick and Andrew in bed is pretty much the cutest thing I've ever seen. If you'll excuse my bossiness, I think you need to frame it.
Sarah: Loved getting a glimpse at your vacation – beautiful stuff! We just got back from a week of adventures in San Francisco (still trying to finish blogging it up) and I'm feeling like I need a vacation from my vacation – a beach vacation like yours, perhaps…
Looks like you had a wonderful vacation!And the sign,too funny!(I'm sure my husband will think it's hilarious!)
Adorable photos! Love the white sand. It doesn't get better than that!
I absolutely LOVE your blog!!! I'm from a catholic family of 8 kids and my husband is from a catholic family of 6 kids…and my family has been vacationing in seaside (actually we moved down the road to Summer's Edge and various places in seagrove because our family outgrew seaside at 32 of us now) since we were kids. My sister actually got married there! I really feel like you could be an "Early Girl". (My maiden name) and reading your blog is like peaking back at my childhood! Always excited to see your next post!