rain, rain, come again...

Have I mentioned that I love vacation?
I do. I do. I do.
The only thing I love more than Vacation itself is Vacation Dave.

Vacation Dave is somewhat elusive during the year. He gets a little scared off by my roomie, Save Money Dave.
I've learned to appreciate Save Money Dave in recent months, but I've got a h-u-g-e crush on Vacation Dave.

Vacation Dave is so dreamy.
He never worries about money, budgets, or envelopes.
Vacation Dave doesn't mind shopping.
Vacation Dave says, "Sure" and "Of Course" when I ask, "Can I buy this?"
Vacation Dave never stresses because he enjoys all the benefits of Save Money Dave's year-long hard work and preparation.
He's a little bit of a mooch, but I'm not complaining.

I love him.
A lot.

Every year before we go on vacation, I pray for beautiful beach weather (no one wants to spend time on the beach in the rain)...but in my heart I also pray for just one rainy day.
Because Rainy Days are the perfect excuse for outlet shopping. With Vacation Dave.
Gap, Banana Republic, J.Crew... It's quite possibly the most romantic atmosphere on earth.

I'm not the only one in our family who loves Outlet Shopping Day. Avery loves it too.
She is unquestionably my daughter.



The day was a full one. We wore our little ones out.
This is what it looks like to shop till you... you know...


We woke them up for dinner at 4:45 to dine with the "early birds" and "blue hairs".
It's becoming clear that David and I are officially old.
Whatever. I'm fine with it.
Plus, all that shopping made me some kind of hungry.

Before dining on the yummiest appetizers ever, (fried crab claws and smoked tuna dip) I went to wash my hands in the restroom.
Look what we found on the wall...


Do you notice something horrifyingly familiar about those pictures?
You should.

Can you believe that those crazy fish tiles were massed produced?
What?!?

Avery actually noticed them first.
We walked in the restroom and she said, "Look! Just like our bathtub!"
It took me a second to understand what she was talking about, but once I did I burst out laughing and said, "Oh my goodness! You're right! That is hilarious! You are too smart!"

Then I pulled out the camera.
In the bathroom.
The mark of a true Blogger.

At the end of the day, we relaxed at the condo before heading to bed.
Wait - some of us relaxed while I read 843 books to some very cute and convincing kiddos.

Vacation Dave stopped to take a picture, but not to rescue me.
Good times.
I think I can forgive him since I'm now the proud new owner of several fabulous J.Crew t-shirts and a Banana Republic tunic top.

Oh -- one more thing...
Look what we saw on our drive to the outlet mall:

hee, hee...
Wouldn't you love to have heard the conversation that lead to that specification?