Part three: Coming Home.

So our amazing little vacation continued with trips to the beach, pool time, and walks along the seawall.  I really wish I could have brought home the view for my morning runs.  There is nothing more refreshing than starting your day off jogging next to the water with the ocean breeze and the sound of waves crashing.  Of course, that was also a great way to end the day.  Only, not jogging.  Just sitting under a clear sky with all the stars in clear view, with that same air and relaxing rhythm.

Friday, grandma and grandpa said good-bye and boarded a plane back to Oklahoma.  My cousin Greg and his sweet wife Meredith came for the remainder of our stay.  They only live thirty short minutes away, so it was a quick little get away for them.  Emma loved Greg.  I knew she would.  My cousin is such a fun-loving guy, and Emma caught on quick! (I think his OSU gear was hard for her to resist, also.  She is in training!)

Saturday, we boarded the ferry over to Bolivar island.  Greg and Meredith knew of a fantastic little restaurant right on the water.

Sweet Meredith showing Em the water.

After our little excursion to the island, Burn and Alex had to leave to meet family back in the city.  The rest of the gang headed off for sushi that evening.  Emma was not excited.  Neither were the other guests at the restaurant when they saw us bringing a toddler into a small, packed sushi bar.  But, we are from Missouri, and we were going to have good sushi before we went home!  We made a few trips outside with her to keep her and everyone else calm.  Once the food came, all was fine.  Well, mostly fine.

(Dad found cartoons on his phone to buy a little time :))

On our way to the car, we took the long way to take a peek at the rest of the downtown area.  We found an old time photo place that was still open.  Because dragging a baby to a sushi bar wasn't enough torture, we dressed her up in old time southern wear at 9:30 at night.  Just for kicks.  Luckily, her good pal Greg was there to keep her smiling :)

The next day we came home, with all our added weight.  Good thing swimsuit season is over.  (Except for next weekend at the Gordon Farm.  Don't worry, I won't take pictures.)

Traveling with a child was definitely a lot of work, but also a lifetime of memories.  We learned many things to keep in mind for trips to come, but we were also able to laugh about the parenting-travel fails.

The best part about leaving home for a week?  Coming home.

There truly is no place like home.