Baby Wallace Blog: Here in the Real World

(Warning, there will be alot of pics in this post. I hope we don't break the internets.)

All good things must end.
After nearly a week of white sand, emerald waters and cool breeze, we're back in the land of noxious ligustrums, muddy water and 100% humidity.

Oh well.

It was a good week, and I think a good time was had by all, each in their own ways.
Despite hating the beach and the pool, Riley had a blast just having the chance to run around in a new environment and see lots of birds (his new favorite observation).

We stayed in the Westwinds at Sandestin. Our unit was at the end of a hall on the first floor with super convenient access to the pool and beach. The building was very family friendly and I would highly recommend it, especially unit 4706, to anyone looking to vacation there at non-peak times.

The drives weren't too bad. Just a mix of short naps, entertainment by Mommy, and Riley's first purposeful cartoon viewing.

We made it there with 2 stops and back with 1. Definitely a surprisingly pleasant outcome.

At our "there" trip lunch stop, the boy learned that he could climb up onto a table from the booth bench.

Upon arrival at the Destin-ation, he figured out that skill transfers to luggage carts , which doubled our unpacking trips since he was taking up space on every cart.

Despite not cooperating with hats or sunglasses for the past 6 months, the trauma of hating the pool broke his will, and he finally gave in to both.

He was fine for the first few minutes on the beach.

Then he decided he hated it, and wanted absolutely no contact with either water or sand.

He and I biked all around Sandestin one day, and he slept for over an hour. I guess it's easier there than here though, since they maintain their roads and it's not populated with inbreds trying to cause public deafness with their exhaust systems.

Back in the condo, he enjoyed the shared attention of six adults and being able to play with Cousin Caroline (in the fleeting moments when they were simultaneously awake)

Mr. Safety wanted to wear a seatbelt on the tram, but didn't quite nail it.

His new favorite word is bird, and he can spot them better than most adults.
His new favorite game though is "Spin The Wheel".
Anywhere he can find a tire, he is trying to turn it.
Usually it is a stroller wheel.

But he did happen across a large , competition BBQ trailer with its front axle jacked, and spent a good bit of time giving it a whirl.

On a side note, next time you're in Destin, try Lillie's on Pigs Alley. Its a small BBQ stand on Hwy 98 between Sandestin and the outlet mall. and it is really good.
I probably would have eaten there more than once, but they were closed for a few days to go compete at Memphis in May.

In 2007, they won Memphis in May for best sauce and best pulled pork.
Their pork was pretty good, but........(you can guess where this is going).......... I honestly think that Johnson's Boucaniere's is better. (vote Johnson's for best BBQ in the Times of Acadiana)

As usual, the star doesn't want to go anywhere without his shoes, even if he hasn't yet changed out of his pajamas.

We did some shopping at Destin Commons one day where he had a blast playing with their two fountains.

Uncle Paul's quick shutter finger caught these action shots of Riley being put on his butt by a surprise water cannon to the face.

No other real stories.

Overall, it was a good trip and Sandestin seems like a great destination with kids in the offseason.(I've heard it is too packed at busy times).

Also, prices are down right now, because owners want bodies in the rooms.

Now here's your grab bag of various pics that i like.

Pretty Boy