Back to the Ocean

One Ocean!!

One ocean

The girls at the beach

Hi friends. 🙂 How’s the morning going? I hope you enjoyed the long weekend! Why can’t every weekend be 4 days? It sure is nice to have my favorite buddy around, especially when it comes to wrangling the kiddos. We took turns sleeping in, crushed to-dos around the house, and took the most amazing little getaway with the crew to a beloved spot: One Ocean in Jacksonville. 

One ocean jacksonville

One Ocean has always been one of our *places*. It’s where we visited when we were first getting settled in Valdosta last time we were here, as newlyweds. It’s where we said “see ya soon” before the Pilot left across the world, and where we celebrated being reunited after months apart. It’s charming, beautiful, and located right on the beach. It was pretty surreal to head back, years later, with our babies! 

I couldn’t help but wonder if some of the magic had disappeared over time. Sometimes resorts or favorite places tend to get dingy or lose some of their sparkle over the years, and others have the rare gift of timelessness I thought that maybe we’d return and it would be like, “meh, it’s different” but we’d be glad we went back to check it out again. Nope. It was even better than we remembered.

While we were there, Liv said, “I don’t miss home at all.” 

I feel ya, Liv.

Tom and Liv in the waves

Girls on a turtle statue

We had such a great weekend. When we checked into the hotel, they had a platter of crudités with dips waiting, along with a bottle of Cabernet.

Crudites

We changed into our suits, and walked down to the beach, where the girls splashed and giggled in the waves. The water was SO WARM, and even this chicken (<—me) could get in, waist-deep, without shivering. We played for a solid hour before heading back to the room to get ready for dinner. 

We walked down the street -there are so many new restaurants!- and decided on an old favorite: Ragtime Tavern.

Jacksonville street view

Pilot walking with the girls

P and a pink Balloon

Sisters

We’ve consumed many bowls of gumbo (so good) in this restaurant. 🙂 They seated us downstairs by a wall aquarium, which was clutch for pre-dinner entertainment, and the food came out quickly. We shared a hummus appetizer and giant plate of sweet potato waffle fries, and for my entree, I had the blackened mahi with red beans and rice.

blackened mahi mahi

We walked back to the hotel, and I put P down for bed while the Pilot and Liv went swimming in the hotel pool.

Sunday morning, we decided to have breakfast at the hotel, which had an amazing spread of all of our favorite breakfast treats.

The family that rompers together…

Gina in a romper

(Super similar one at Target)

Tunnel to breakfast

hotel breakfast with P

Liv and Tom at breakfast

The rest of the day was spent at the beach, building sand castles, collecting seashells, and chilling in the shade.

Beach with the girls

(Suit is here // hat )

Building sand castles with the girls

(P refuses to wear a hat, so we spent some time under the umbrella and I’d hold my hat over her to give her a little extra sun shield)

We made a stop at another favorite place on the way home.

Trader Joe's

This TJ’s was LEGIT. They had two tasting huts, wine tasting (whaaaaaat), and a treasure chest with bars, pouches and lollipops for the kids. We stocked up on some staples, and made the drive back home. Both girls napped most of the way (YES), and the rest of the time Liv watched Moana, while P asked for ice cream (she’s obsessed) and played with her buckle toy. This thing may be the best $20 I’ve ever spent. 

I hope you had a wonderful weekend, too!! What’s one of your favorite destination spots or resorts that you love? Favorite thing you did this weekend?

xo

Gina

Blasts from the past:

Valentine’s Day at One Ocean (when I didn’t know what a macaron was. shame)

when I gave the Pilot spirulina

Melting Pot and One Ocean

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31 Comments

  1. Kari on May 30, 2017 at 6:26 am

    Great family outing!!! These are the best days. Love the sandals you are wearing with the romper…can I ask where they are from?

    • Fitnessista on May 30, 2017 at 9:56 am

      thank you! they’re old from white plum. the brand is BC

  2. Christine on May 30, 2017 at 7:09 am

    Love reading about your adventures. Can you do a post about how you all travel with two kids and stay in the same room???? The more details the better!! I want so badly to travel more with my kids, I feel like we are missing out. But both sleep in their rooms, with black out shades and noise machines. I can’t even imagine the chaos that would happen if we were all in the same room.

    • Fitnessista on May 30, 2017 at 9:55 am

      sure, i can definitely do that!! i was scared initially too, but the more you do it, the easier it gets

      • Liz on May 30, 2017 at 2:32 pm

        Yes, I was thinking the same thing. How in the world did you get P down while Liv & pilot still had fun. We have one kid and it’s still like me and hubby sitting in the dark from 7pm on.

        • Fitnessista on May 30, 2017 at 7:10 pm

          we usually take turns taking liv out while the other person puts p down for bed (or for naps at the hotel)
          i turned the lights out and hid in the bathroom reading a book until she fell asleep haha

  3. Kate on May 30, 2017 at 7:12 am

    Great post, looks like a fantastic family outing! Love the sandals you are wearing with the romper. Can I ask where they are from?

    • Fitnessista on May 30, 2017 at 9:54 am

      thank you! they’re BC brand- i got them a long time ago from white plum. just checked the website and it doesn’t look like they have shoes anymore :/

  4. Emily @ Pizza and Pull-ups on May 30, 2017 at 7:25 am

    One Ocean looks beautiful! I have such an itch to make it to the beach this summer, I think the babies would love it. Glad you guys got a nice, long weekend together.

    • Fitnessista on May 30, 2017 at 9:53 am

      thank you! hope you had a wonderful weekend, too

  5. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on May 30, 2017 at 8:14 am

    The family that rompers together SO CUTE!!! I am in need of some serious beach time.

    • Fitnessista on May 30, 2017 at 9:53 am

      or even a sedona getaway 🙂

  6. Jamie @ madrediem.com on May 30, 2017 at 8:45 am

    P’s dress in the top photos is so cute! Looks like you had a ton of fun at the beach – I love when the water is warm. I have the feeling I’ll never swim in the ocean again once we move up to RI – way too cold! Maybe in July/August?

    • Fitnessista on May 30, 2017 at 9:53 am

      thank you!! yes, hopefully it will warm up a little. i’m such a chicken with cold water haha

  7. Jessica @ Semi-Sweet Tooth on May 30, 2017 at 9:05 am

    Love that you guys had such a relaxing, serene weekend – and that you guys kind of have a lot of family traditions in one place! We’re that way with certain spots in the mountains (where we got engaged, married, bought our first place, etc.) But one resort that you can now share with the whole family. So much fun!

    P.S. The girls are looking adorable. They’re definitely having a ton of fun. 🙂

    Have a great rest of the week!
    XO, Jessica
    http://www.semisweettooth.com

    • Fitnessista on May 30, 2017 at 9:52 am

      thank you so much, friend! hope you enjoyed the long weekend <3

  8. Brittany Taylor @ The Gourmet Financier on May 30, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    What was the other toy P like to play with while traveling? Was it a latch book?
    I always save recommendations to my Amazon wish list to go back!

    • Fitnessista on May 30, 2017 at 7:15 pm

      yes! the melissa and doug latch toy

  9. Amanda @ CheerstotheWeekends on May 30, 2017 at 2:21 pm

    Looks like such a fun weekend! I miss east coast beaches!

  10. LeeAnn on May 30, 2017 at 4:15 pm

    What a fun getaway! Looks beautiful!!
    Also, super jealous of the TJs! Miss it so much!

    • Fitnessista on May 30, 2017 at 7:15 pm

      i miss tj’s SO MUCH

  11. Erika S. on May 30, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    Looks like a nice beach weekend! Girl..that TJ’s…I’ve never seen one look like that from the outside. I’m in Virginia and mine always do wine tastings…and each time, I’m there just sampling them all…even the beers…hahahaha! I do usually end up buying one …but for some reason, they always taste better while sampling. Occasionally, I get them home and it’s like, “hmmm…I don’t remember it tasting like this, oh well…it’s still drinkable!”

    Lately, I’ve been into quiet & calm getaways. There is a rustic B&B (Goodstone Inn) in Middleburg, Virginia that is just so charming. Otherwise, I love Miami (fun, sun & drinks the size of my head!)

    • Fitnessista on May 30, 2017 at 7:22 pm

      hahah that is so funny! our tj’s in tucson would do wine tastings occasionally, but the one in jacksonville had this whole thing set up
      quiet and calm getaways sound perfect 🙂 i haven’t been to miami in years.. we need to change that!
      xoxo

  12. Michele on May 30, 2017 at 6:34 pm

    Thanks for the buckle toy recommendation!! I just ordered it. I am flying with my 16 months old in month and am in desperate need of airplane toys to keep her occupied for 4 hours. I would be grateful if you could offer any other suggestions if you get a moment. Thank you!

    • Fitnessista on May 30, 2017 at 7:21 pm

      i hope it goes well!! usually i feel like i’m always more stressed than i need to be, and most of the time it goes well
      she LOVES that buckle toy. it keeps her entertained constantly in the car. i need to find one with more buckles, or more challenging buckles haha
      here are some more of her faves + tips for airline toys (she loves things she can take apart and put together):
      -Small tupperware twist containers she can unscrew with toys inside
      -this what should i wear book: http://rstyle.me/n/cn2gw4b5i37 (she loves dressing the baby and we’ll sing happy birthday to the baby when it’s her party, etc)
      -this latches board: http://rstyle.me/n/cn2gx3b5i37
      -all the snacks! she had her very first lollipop on the plane here to atlanta (i get the yum earth brand) and it was a HUGE hit. it kept her busy for like 20 minutes she said “yum” like 100 times haha
      it will go great!! <3

      • Michele on May 31, 2017 at 3:38 am

        Thank you so much!! I appreciate all of the ideas. I will definitely be stocking up my bag!
        Traveling with a toddler is much different than an infant! HA!

  13. Bethany on May 30, 2017 at 9:10 pm

    Don’t you love the east coast water? I enjoyed San Diego and all but the Gulf Coast has my cold natured heart!

  14. Juliette | Namastay Traveling on May 31, 2017 at 5:16 am

    What a beautiful weekend! And I’m right there with you…why can’t all weekends just be long weekends?! Oooh and that, TJ’s, swoon! We have a tiny one near my house that I visit at least a few times a week, I can’t imagine the goodies inside one that big!

  15. kelli @ hungry hobby on May 31, 2017 at 7:39 am

    My hubby and I really want to do an east shore vacay this is giving us some good ideas!

    • Fitnessista on May 31, 2017 at 7:56 pm

      you would LOVE jax

  16. Kristin on June 9, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    Just catching up. I totally forgot about Ragtime — spent many nights there with the wives when the ship was out. Used to go to Sliders too. Good times!

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