Alabama Vacation

Well we planned a sorta last minute trip for us as a family. This summer since we aren't really taking any BIG vacations Austin and I kept throwing around ideas of doing something small as a family. We have a pretty busy fall coming up with a beach trip and a trip to Texas so that's the main reason we didn't plan a HUGE one over the summer. His family went to Tennessee a couple weeks ago and we were invited to join but with us having just gone there last summer and it being such a BIG trip and the timing just wasn't right with us being just finishing up VBS and swim lessons. 
Anyway so the idea came up of us going to The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama. Austin and I had been there 10 years ago but we had never taken the kids. Plus Austin could get us an associate rate which made it even better! So we made the plans and went for it. Well in talking about summer ideas Colby mentioned wanting to go back to the Battle Ship in Alabama. We had gone about a year and a half ago but it was freezing cold and we didn't get to see the whole thing. Anyway so that seemed like something we could easily add to this trip. 
So we packed up and left on Sunday morning. We stopped at McDonald's for a little breakfast though before hitting the road. After that we drove straight to Alabama and only had to stop at the Rest Stop for everyone to stretch and go to the potty. We got to the U.S.S. Alabama about 11:30. We did a different tour from last time then also explore the upper decks. We also did the Submarine. We wrapped up by about 1. I think the kids really enjoyed it...especially Colby. Lindsay really isn't into history yet. I am not sure she ever will or if its just b/c she can't really understand it yet? Anyway we all had a good time but were worn out by the time we got off the boat! Between the heat and all the walking/climbing! We drove a few miles and found a Zaxby's for lunch. After all the walking and such we had also worked up an appetite. After that we had about a 30 min drive until we got to the hotel. We were all pretty pooped by the time we got there. We arrived and our room wasn't quite ready so we decided to walk around a bit. By the time we really started walking we got a call saying the room was ready. We were all quite happy to hear that. We got a Bellman and headed up to check out the room. We were placed on the 2nd floor of the original building. There wasn't an elevator and it was definitely old/historic but we loved it. Our room was huge. We had 2 double beds and a couch that made into a bed. There were also 2 giant walk in closets. It was lovely having so much room. So we got in and rested for a few minutes and put our stuff away. The kids of course were itching to go down to the pool/beach though. So we got dressed in our swim attire and headed down. Our first stop was the beach but we were confused if the chairs were available to everyone or they had to be rented. We decided to go on to the pool until we found out for sure. The kids loved the pool. There was a giant family pool. We found some good chairs on the end by the fountains and zero entry. Also most of the pool was shallow enough that Lindsay could walk in it so that was nice. There was also a slide. She wasn't tall enough for but Colby loved it. So we just played by the pool for probably almost 2 hours. I mostly laid in the chair but I got in once or twice to cool off. Colby even met a little friend out there. After awhile Lindsay wanted to go play in the sand so we went to the beach and sat in some chairs. They had fun playing by the shore. It was really nice to just relax and watch them play. Colby had 2 little friends out there he was playing with. By about 6:30 we were all getting hungry. We had decided to just eat dinner by the pool. With arriving that afternoon we knew the kids would just want to play and so we wanted just a casual, quick dinner. It ended up being really good though. I had a shrimp wrap that was really delicious and Colby had a burger and Lindsay a grilled cheese. After we ate we took our time walking back to our room. We took in the sights along the way. They had yard games positioned all along the green back to the main building. We stopped and played most of those. Once we got back to the room we were anxious to go ahead and bathe the kids and get them wound down. We all went to bed a little before 10 I believe. 
Monday it was nice to just sleep in and take our time getting started. We all woke up around 8ish. We went ahead and dressed in our swimsuits and got ready to head down to the pool. We had packed granola bars and pop tarts to just eat in our room that morning. We figured that would save us money and time. We got to the pool right about 9. It was nice when we first got there it wasn't crowded at all. We got great seats in the shade. The kids were having a blast and were in and out the pool basically all morning. We stayed by the pool until about 11:30 before going to lunch. Since we didn't have a very big breakfast we wanted to eat an early lunch. We once again ate by the pool. It was just so much easier that way! This time I had a salad, Colby had a hotdog, and Lindsay had a pb and j. We ate then went on to the beach. We spent about an hour by the beach. Again it was nice to just relax and sip a cold drink while the kids played in the sand and by the water. I feel like we have finally arrived with our parenting. We can relax and they can play! Around 1 I was getting hot and I knew Lindsay was getting a little tired and hot too so she and I went on up to the room. I was anxious to shower while she watched some tv. I turned on the Disney Channel and she relaxed while I got cleaned up. It felt good to just have some down time. The boys got back up to the room around 2:30. They rested for a bit and we all got dressed and ready to leave for dinner. We got to the restaurant around 4. Austin thought we were crazy for going to eat so early but I told him we would be glad b/c of crowds. Sure enough we were able to walk right in but by the time we left there was a long line out the door! Dinner was good but honestly I think I could have found a better place. We ate at Lambert's...its a fun atmosphere but to me the place just seemed dirty and the food was just ok. I mean it wasn't bad but I don't think I would repeat there for awhile. So after dinner we drove around a bit before heading back to the hotel. We got back to the hotel and decided to walk dinner off. We walked around the ponds and where the boats dock. It was nice seeing some different atmosphere. We headed back up the room around 7 and it was soon time to get the kids ready for bed. It had been a very busy day! We let them stay up and watch some tv though after getting their pjs on. 
Tuesday we slept in until about 7 I think. We all started getting dressed so we could pack up and leave. I think we left the hotel around 8:30. We stopped at a Chickfila on the way out of town for breakfast. After that we were on our way home. We decided in Mississippi to take the scenic drive home. It was fun driving by the beach and seeing sights. We even stopped by Austin's grandmother's old house. We got home I guess around 1. We picked up Subway for lunch. It felt good to get back. We spent the afternoon getting things back in order around the house. 
It was a short trip but we had a blast! I think we will definitely return there! The kids loved it! I would love to check it out sometime in the fall maybe when its cooler and isn't quite as crowded.