Memorial Day Weekend

Yesterday, we had the great pleasure of spending our Sunday with some of our friends at Barrancas Beach, a quiet beach located on base at NAS Pensacola.  It is one of those famous white sand beaches Florida boasts about.  Since it's located on base, most people there are military or dependents, which means a little less of the craziness you get when you go to Pensacola Beach.  In my opinion, it's a better place for the family to hang out.  There are plenty of cabanas, grills, and ample parking.  Lifeguards were present when we were there.  One of our longtime friends went there early to snatch up a cabana before they were all taken, which was smart since we managed to get there about thirty minutes late due to all the last minute packing.  Hubs asked me if we were moving in!  Men.  They just don't understand that you have to do a lot of preparing for the "what-ifs" when you are dealing with kids.  

 

This was Sylvia's first visit to the beach.  We all had a blast! Hubs played with the older kids in the water while I stayed on the beach under our canopy with Sylvia. She liked the beach with it's white sand, but not the water or the noise it made.  There were manatees and stingrays passing by which made the kids have to leave the water, but made for a beautiful experience since they were able to run along the shore watching them in their natural habitat. Overall, it made for a beautiful day and a wonderful memory.

We passed by Barrancas Cemetery with all of the flags by the tombstones and Kennedy asked who put them there.  I told her that student volunteers from NATTC Pensacola and other organizations go out there every Memorial Day and place them out there.  It's a great thing to see.  It really puts things into perspective when you see all those white tombstones and beautiful flags out there honoring those that sacrificed their lives for this great country.  So while you are spending time with family and friends, barbecuing, or just relaxing, spend a couple of minutes thinking about those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.  I know that we will!