For anyone who asked for more details about our recent family getaway, here’s a full recap of our week in Destin, Florida. Since we were already in Atlanta for the Haven conference and my family wasn’t planning the usual beach week, it made perfect sense to accept an invitation from the Bowers to join them for a week on the Florida panhandle. We ended up taking a relaxing, kid-friendly vacation that blended beach days, pool time, bike rides, and a few local meals.
Katie’s husband Jeremy handled the rental search and found a comfortable house near Miramar Beach. It wasn’t beachfront, but it was an easy walk to the sand and much more budget-friendly than a shore-front property. The rental also included a small pool and a courtyard, which proved invaluable for our group of four adults, three kids, and one chihuahua. The house had practical touches like bunk beds that delighted the little ones and lots of space for everyone to spread out.
The outdoor areas were definitely a highlight. Vine-covered arbors and a sheltered courtyard separated the house from the nearby road and bike path, creating a calm, private zone for morning coffee and evening chats. Just beyond the courtyard was the small pool that became our second home. It wasn’t large, but it was ideal for toddlers, casual laps, and general splash-around time. On a particularly sunny afternoon it even doubled as an impromptu synchronized swimming practice—Clara loved it.
Of course the real star of the trip was the beach. We’ve vacationed on Florida’s Gulf Coast before, but the sand here felt especially white and the water was remarkably clear, calm, and warm. The gentle waves and shallow entry made it easy for Clara to gain confidence in the ocean; she spent much more time playing in the surf than she has on past trips.
With the water so tranquil, we decided to rent stand-up paddleboards for a few afternoons from a local beach service. Once we got familiar with balancing, we took the kids out for short rides. The boards were straightforward to use in that calm water; most of us took at least one tumble, but that just added to the laughter. We learned that sitting or kneeling on the boards made it easier to bring the kids along and kept everyone more stable and comfortable.
Despite the paddleboarding, most beach days were happily spent in low-key activities: building sandcastles, swimming near the shore, and letting the kids explore with minimal structure. Around lunchtime we often packed up and pedaled along the bike path—our rental provided bikes, which was a nice convenience. Clara rode on her iBert with me on several rides, and our favorite little game became guessing the colors of dog collars we saw ahead on the trail.
Having other kids on the trip made a big difference. Clara and Will had plenty of time to play together, and Weston joined in the fun as well. Of course there were the expected squabbles—sharing is still a work in progress for any three-year-old—but overall it was really sweet to see them build friendships over a week of shared play. It was also helpful to have extra parents around for moral support during the inevitable tantrums.
We ate out a few times and enjoyed several local recommendations. One memorable meal for me was at a red-hued neighborhood spot known for its lively atmosphere and fresh seafood. Sherry’s favorite was a spicy shrimp dish at a casual fish camp, and I also enjoyed coconut shrimp during a beachside lunch that had a cheerful, coastal color palette that made the whole meal feel like a vacation highlight.
We were lucky with the weather. Some nearby areas had seen storms the week before our arrival, but we mostly had sunshine, with just one overcast afternoon and a few brief evening thunderstorms. That one dreary afternoon gave us a chance to try outlet shopping and a go-kart track—always a hit with the big kids and dads. The variety of activities kept the days balanced between active outings and pure relaxation.
On our final day we scrambled to fit in a few things we’d missed: sea kayaking, thrift-store browsing, and a quick family photo on the beach. The sea got a bit choppy for kayak photos, but we managed to capture some candid shots of Katie working her usual pro-photographer magic. The sunset that evening was the perfect end to a week that made us reluctant to leave.
We packed up the next morning and drove back to Atlanta for an overnight with the Bowers before making the rest of the long drive home. Clara continues to be a surprisingly good traveler—years of long drives from infancy helped—and we kept her entertained with books, toys, snacks, and a few iPad games for the toughest stretches. After about 11 hours on the road we were all a little stir-crazy, but we made it back safely and grateful for the restful time away.
Thanks again to the Bowers for the invitation and for making the week extra fun. After 12 days away that included the conference, we were ready to sleep in our own beds, recharge, and jump back into projects at home.
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Forum highlights: four interesting projects, chats, and questions from the community this week include a painted piano before-and-after, a buyers’ remorse discussion, a DIY chunky wooden floating shelves thread, and ideas for decorating a little boy’s bedroom. We also announced this week’s giveaway winners on the site—check the giveaway post and Rafflecopter box to see if you won.