…a picture’s worth a thousand words, and the 29 I kept from this trip tell most of the story.

four sunsets, all beautiful. and really one of my favorite parts of our trip. we went to the beach for three, packing just a bottle of wine, our cameras and a blanket (and remarked several times how much easier a beach trip is without small children!)

the first night was the only one with clouds.

and I thought those were the prettiest until this year. truly, the ones that started from a clear blue sky were stunning.

holly had a great time “off-leash” – she loved running around in the sand, chasing after the little seagulls…but made sure she didn’t get her feet wet. and she didn’t seem to mind getting sand in her whiskers (and surely in her mouth?!)

but she also loved to walk along the water. these two photos (thank you katie!) are favorites.

we enjoyed one sunset from our balcony – four stories above the street. the sunset really shows off the unique architecture of rosemary beach.

and we ate (and drank – especially loved katie’s gin cocktails with fresh herbs and club soda and lydia’s popsicles and wine…always a favorite and even more fun now that katie is learning about – and loving!! – it too!).

and went for morning walks (karen & lydia) and runs (mary & katie). I love the architecture in alys beach – thank you instagram!

the photos don’t tell how much we knitted and read (and then read and knitted…those photos just aren’t that interesting!).

mostly, though, it was about relaxing, enjoying the views and the company.

it was perfect.