Thank you so much for the love and encouragement on yesterday’s Saying Goodbye post. I honestly feel like I have the best group of girlfriends guiding me through this season! I hope that reading my experience, and others that share in the comments, is helpful to those who are going through it, too, or will be soon.
Sharing my thoughts and emotions has been therapeutic, but this blog also serves as my personal scrapbook. I love that I’ll be able to look back at this time in our life, and have the photos and words take me right back. I know we’ll be sending Little Miss off before I know it, and I’m grateful to have the last 10 years of our life mostly documented here. And incredibly blessed to have shared it with all of you. You’ve always shown my family so much kindness, and I can’t thank you enough for that.
I refer back to my own posts all the time…What paint color did we use for the Kitchen? Where’d we stay in Paris? How old were the kids when we moved? Literally every milestone, adventure, victory, and many heartaches are all here. Ten years and more than 2,000 posts, and we’re still chatting! From the bottom of my heart…thank you!
Today is another scrapbook moment…our family trip to Anna Maria Island, Florida. After five years, there’s a familiar comfort to it we all crave, and it’s a week of fun, food, relaxing, and good friends.
Bodysuit | Skirt | Sandals | Tote | Bangles (look for less) | Tote | Sunglasses
This year was a little different because of our schedules, so Little Miss and I went on our own for the first few days…and it may have to be our new tradition! We loved the dedicated one-on-one time, and the chance to bond closer before the school year began. Eighth grade is an intense age for girls, so I love any opportunity to stay connected with her.
We never have an agenda when we’re here…just days filled with beach walks and fish tacos, and nights of chasing crabs and playing cards. And sunsets take the place of Netflix.
Tank Swimsuit | Cut-Offs | Hat | Bangles (look for less) | Tote | Sunglasses
Ruffled Two Piece | Hat | Bangles (look for less)
After a few days, the boys joined us…and we connected with this darling girl and her family! We adore them, and love seeing them every summer! Our kids have practically grown up together, and have the best time. Can you believe Jen and I met through our blogs?! She’s just as sweet as she is online, and then some, and I treasure our friendship so much.
‘Good Vibes’ Tank | Cut-Offs | Flip-Flops
Cross-Back Swim Top | Full Coverage Swim Bottoms | Bangles (look for less)
Square Neck Tee | Shorts | Sandals | Bag | Bangles (look for less)
His Tee | His Sandals | My Embroidered Tee | Cut-Offs | Her Chambray Jumpsuit
Striped Swimsuit | Bangles (look for less)
We’ve taken this exact picture five years in a row…it’s so fun to look back at the past posts and see how they’ve grown and changed!
His Tee | His Sandals | Her Chambray Jumpsuit
Ruffle Tank Dress | Hat | Bangles (look for less)
Striped Swimsuit | Swim Trunks
Palm Print Swimsuit | Tote | Hat | Sunglasses | Bangles (look for less)
[Where We Stayed in Anna Maria]
This year we stayed in a new rental, The Gulf Front, and loved it! It’s a newly remodeled condo (only 6 units in the building) with two bedrooms/bathrooms, a large comfy couch, huge TV, fully-equipped kitchen, and incredible views of the beach and sunset. It’s literally 10 steps to the sand! It’s a great location on the island, and even has a small pool.
It was our first time renting through Anna Maria Vacations, and we had a great experience. We’ll definitely be staying here again!
As for food and adventure, we hit up all our usual spots. You can find our fave eats and things to do in these previous Trip Reports.
Jean Jacket | Bodysuit | Skirt | Sandals | Striped Tote | Carry-On Suitcase
The trip was especially sweet this year since we took our son to college a week later. I’m cherishing the memories of this Summer, and hoping they sustain me until Christmas Break! Anna Maria holds a special place in our hearts, and we’re already counting down the days until next time.
Find our full Trip Reports on Anna Maria Island here, including everywhere we’ve stayed, our go-to restaurants, best beach rentals, and more!
