Kassouf and Schott Family Vacation

We continued in our journey south with family! This time we were with Andrew’s family (his dad’s side) in Panama City Beach, Florida. Mom and Dad hosted everyone at their time share and Andrew, Tim, and Mark along with each of their families, as well as the families of Andrew’s Aunt Lisa, Uncle Kurt, and Uncle Karl. In total there were 18 of us; across 3 villa’s and we had a blast! Each day the families did different things but each night for dinner we all gathered back together to eat and spend time catching up on our days and lives. We spent a day lounging at the resort, a day at the beach at St. Andrews State Park, a day hiking at the park, and a day visiting Uncle Kurt’s new home.

The beach was beautiful. We were right on the edge of the bay and the gulf. When we first arrived Elisha was not sure what to think. Everyone as so excited for him to see the water; although he had seen the ocean last summer that was for a quick 10 minute visit to just take pictures. This was his first true “day at the beach” we arrived and took him right down to the ocean and at first he was very unsure about what was happening. It was also very loud, I had never really paid attention to how load the waves are crashing on the shore until I was there his with him and he was scared of the noise. We then played in the sand; which he was also unsure about. He did not mind touching it and having it in a bucket but he had no interest in standing or sitting in it (it did not help that it was very hot). After being on the beach for some time he acclimated and he ready for the water. We then got him to get in the water and he had a blast swimming with Uncle Mark, Aunt Ashley, Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa.

Our hiking day was very muggy. We were all set for a lovely day of hiking and then we got there and it was muggy, sticky, and flat (no breeze at all – which was surprising because we were at the same park were we went to the beach so I was expecting an ocean breeze). We were also hoping to see a crocodile in Crocodile Lake or on the trial but we had no such luck.

At the resort we enjoyed spending time playing Settlers of Catan, lounging at the pool (lets be serious the only lounging happened during nap time), playing in the pool, on the playground, and in the water fountain. One day we also enjoyed the wine and cheese hour in the clubhouse.

Our visit to Uncle Kurt’s house consisted of an hour and a half drive west. We went to visit their home because they had had a house fire from a lightning strike and they had just finished re-building. They had not yet moved in but they were very very close. The house was beautiful, my personal favorite was in the kitchen there was a special cabinet that held a Kitchen Aid mixer. There was a “lift” in the cabinet so your mixer could be put away but when you wanted to use it you can use the lift and it brings the mixer up to counter top level! Not only is your mixer now ready to use but your counter has now grown. The cabinet also had a plug built into it so it was literally plug and play ready to use. I was very very jealous- as many of you know baking is one of my favorite things and my Kitchen Aid mixer is probably the most used small appliance in my kitchen (besides my Keurig J). Andrew liked the walk in pantry which was also a huge plus! (Currently, our food storage is in Elisha’s playroom). After seeing their home we went to lunch at a local place which was right on boat docks. Then scenic route back to the resort stopping in the town of Seaside. This is a famous movie town and it was absolutely adorable directly on the gulf. Andrew and I had a fun afternoon taking pictures at all of the beach access points because at every blocks there was a different “gazebo” which was artistically designed. It was a full day but we had a lot of fun!

**Pictures to be added.