The Zorio Family: Our Family Vacation

Last week (October 3-10) we took our first vacation with Dawson, and we had a wonderful time! Unfortunately we’re now back to the real world, but we took lots of pictures!
On Saturday, October 3rd one of our friends, DeeDee, was so nice to drop us off at the Huntsville Airport so our vacation could begin. You would not believe how much luggage we had tot take so we would have all of Dawson’s “necessities.” In January when John and I went to Fort Lauderdale we took 2 bags. This time, however, we took 2 suitcases, 1 duffel backpack, 2 carry-ons, the stroller, the carseat, and the carseat base. After arriving at Huntsville International and checking our bags we found out that what was supposed to be a 1 hour layover in Atlanta was going to be 5 hours due to a delay. Although we were concerned about Dawson flying and now the long layover, we really had no reason to be because he did GREAT! We could not have asked for him to do better. He even did surprisingly well eating his rice cereal in the Atlanta airport Chili’s that night. Dawson slept the entire flight from Atlanta to Tampa which was a nice break. We were excited that the particular plane we were on had personal tv screens that got ESPN. So we actually go to watch the Tennessee game in the air (even though they lost). Not to mention I was excited because we got to fly on one of Delta’s pink planes; it was painted pink for breast cancer awareness month.
We finally arrived in Tampa around midnight and my Dad and Logan were there to pick us up and take us to the condo where we were staying in Indian Shores Beach, Florida.
On Sunday John’s parents, Emily, and Drew flew down to spend a few days with us at the beach. Sunday we just enjoyed the sun on the beach. My parents brought a swing for Dawson to use on the beach which was great! We lotioned him up with 60plus SPF baby sunscreen, put him in a hat and under the umbrella in the swing and he was a happy camper on the beach the whole week. Despite all the sun protection by the end of the week we could tell he had a very slight tan line on his pale legs!
On Monday we were beach bums all day, but had dinner at the new Bubba Gumps Restaurant at John’s Pass with everyone. John and I have been to a few Bubba Gums before, but it’s still fun to look at all the memorabilia and use the “Run, Forrest, Run” sign when you need your server. We took several pictures here that you’ll see below. After dinner we walked around all the beach shops on John’s Pass. It was really fun for me to take Dawson to John’s Pass since I have been there so many times growing up.
Before we went on our trip I decided I wanted to rent a waverunner on the ocean while we were there since I have never done that before on the ocean. So on Tuesday, Dawson stayed with his Nana and Aunt Emily while John and I rented a waverunner. We had so much fun! I would rent one again. While we were out on the ocean we came within 5 feet of several dophins and had fun on the waves! That night for dinner we went to the Italian Villa and had the biggest pizzas I have ever seen (and good too)!!
Wednesday was a beach day again! My Dad, Logan, and John fished off the shore. Then that evening John, Dawson, and I went to dinner with John’s parents, sister, Drew. We tried a new (to us) place in St. Pete called Philthy Phil’s. Although it doesn’t sound appetizing, it was a fun little place with good food.
Thursday morning we were sad to say goodbye to John’s parents, Em, and Drew as they had to go back to Tennessee. We were glad they got to come though. That morning John, Logan, and my Dad went deep sea fishing with Hubbard’s Marina. They all came back with a lot of fish and some stories. We are planning to cook all they caught the next time we’re all together. They caught close to 50 fish and kept about half that many. While they fished Mom, Dawson, and I spent the morning on the beach.
That evening Dawson stayed with his Lolly, Pop (my parents), and Uncle Logan while John and I had a dinner date at a local steak house, Sam Seltzer’s. It was nice for us to get to have a date and for Dawson to spend time with his grandparents.
Friday was unfortunately our last day at the beach, but we had amazing weather again. The whole week we were there the area was experiencing unseasonably high temperatures. The temperatures were like they are there in July and August. It was nice though, as I don’t mind the heat at the beach. Friday I tried fishing off the beach with the net for bait and with the fishing pole like the guys had been doing all week. It turned out the fish were definitely biting that afternoon. We were catching one mackerel after another.
We stayed out on the beach as long as possible on Friday since it was our last day. For dinner we went with my parents and Logan to one of our favorites-Crabby Bills. After a great dinner we all had to sadly return to the condo to pack.
Saturday morning Dad and Logan dropped us off at the airport at 4am and we were back in Huntsville and back to reality by 10am. Unfortunately we returned home to rain and temperatures in the 60’s.
We had a GREAT vacation and are grateful to my parents for inviting us, letting us stay with them, and helping with Dawson. We’re also glad the Zorio’s came and thankful for their watching Dawson some as well! We could not have asked for a more wonderful first vacation with our son, and it was great that all our family got to be there too! We took a lot of pictures, some of which I’ve put below! Enjoy!!