Here are some tips on how to have a fabulous family vacation –
If there are twenty of you, make sure the house you rent is big enough.

Eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms. Each room had its own full bath, so with the possible exception of the room with the four teenage girls, there was never a wait for the facilities.
Make sure there’s plenty of seating for everyone,

but don’t be surprised when someone starts a jigsaw puzzle on the floor.

Make sure the backyard comes with a pool and hot tub.

Having a couple of trees in the backyard for a hammock is a plus.
Make sure the pool is heated when you go to the Emerald Coast in December.

Then expect it to be busy most every day, regardless of the ambient temperatures! But be sure to enjoy some ‘Adult Pool Time’ after the kiddos go to bed.
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Make sure the beautiful white beach is within walking distance!


Because it doesn’t matter what the day is like…

the beach beckons.

Get as many people involved in games as possible!

And maybe hide the electronics if possible.

I’m sure they were all checking out miniature golf options, right?

Plan a couple of outings that may or may not include alligators

or fireworks

(Happy New Year!)
or arcade games.

On a more practical note, makes sure everything is labeled,

find a central spot for the shoes at the end of each day,

and take full advantage of the golf cart that is included in your rental!

Throw in a surprise beach photoshoot


and I don’t think you could’ve asked for a better family vacation! Thanks to all of our kids for making it so very special – and for letting Pops take all the naps he wanted to!

Oh – and if at all possible, bring along some ‘littles’ –

It’ll do your heart good!

PS – I know there are a lot of pictures in this post – but if you’d like to see them ALL (well, all that I uploaded), you can check them out HERE!