LAST DAY IN ORLANDO...BOO HOO

Our last day in Orlando....I'm so sad, but it was definitely a nice wind down day!

The beach was a stop we wanted to make for the kiddos and just because we were so close and didn't get to go there our last trip.  We weren't sure what beach to go to but everyone was saying to go to the gulf side because it was much cleaner and more kid friendly so we decided to go to the Atlantic side (only because it was closer) and made our way to Cocoa Beach.

Cocoa Beach seemed a bit run down and sun faded but we were there for the beach. We weren't really sure where to go so we asked a guy at the gas station and he pointed us in the direction of a little beach away from the touristy beaches and it was perfect. Not very many people at all so we got a little section of the beach all to ourselves.  We did meet a nice couple who took a few pictures of us and scared the birds off when they tried to get into our food. The little boogers actually tried to peck open our food that was all sealed up.

I'm not a super huge beach fan, only because I remember when I went to the beach when I was younger (much younger) and all I remember is itchy sand in my swimsuit and a huge wave that knocked me into the dock where the coral cut my leg so the salt water made it sting the whole time...such happy memories. I was still, in fact, looking forward to the beach and hoping my kids weren't as particular as I was.

Good news (depending on how you look at it)...the day at the beach was the kiddos favorite stop!  The thing about the Atlantic side is that the waves are huge and very powerful which kept the kiddos busy for hours.

 Zakk, however, was running away from them much of the day but at least it kept him busy.

It is so hard to put into words how awesome it is to be at the beach and look out into the massive ocean. It's so surreal. There is no end to it...that you can see!

Tyler was buried in the sand and left to experience high tide...hee hee...

 

 And the kiddos made a river...

We showered up and took our sunburned selves back to Orlando for a nice familiar dinner at Olive Garden.  But not before we made a stop at Ron Jon's Surf Shop.  It's a good thing we didn't stop there before the beach or we would have spent all our money on boogie boards and sand toys.

It's always nice to get home but it's not nice when you come from 80 degree temps to 60's and rainy...blahh! And that is the end of our 2013 vacation. We had a great time and brought back many great memories!