Beach Boys {and Girls}

We headed out Tuesday morning for Orange Beach. The five (+/-) hour drive was better than expected (although I'm pretty sure I broke a law or two and possibly gave some passersby an eyeful as I climbed back and forth from the front seat to the back). That's the life of a mommy, I guess:)

 Ready to go...just in time for Luke's morning nap! :)

 

 

Fast forward five or so hours and a few stops...

 

 

Wednesday: Time to hit the beach!

Luke Man's first touch of sand:)

E was ready for the ocean...

My little Gilligan:)

E went back and forth from the sand...

...to the ocean!

We came in for lunch...

...and a little bottle!

That afternoon Justin had a "cow meeting" (I know...it sounds

so glamorous:). E played hide and seek while I got ready.

 They always feed the families that night, and E made

friends with another stockyard owner's granddaughter,

Stella. Isn't she the cutest little redhead you've ever seen?!

On Thursday Daddy and Luke skipped out on beach

time in favor of a little nap. E and I played in the sand...

When Luke woke up they joined us at the pool.

That night we cleaned up and headed out for supper and a little ...

...go kart riding!

(*I know, the pictures are all blurry. I never claimed to be a photographer...I did, however,

figure out how to shoot some really good ones "in motion" AFTER they finished. Next time...)

Friday we had a lazy morning and decided

to forgo the beach and do a little shopping.

I must share our sleeping arrangements...when E was a baby we always took the pack 'n play with us and stuck her in a closet or bathroom so she had a "quiet place". This year E slept with me (notice the "me" and not "us"). She's a tough girl to sleep with. We had a king size bed, which she slept sideways in with her feet pressing into my back. Justin slept on the couch (and I would have HAPPILY traded places with him). I don't think I'll ever complain about my queen size bed again (at least not for a month or two;). We had two bathrooms, so we squeezed the pack 'n play into one the bigger one...and I do mean squeezed. The door wouldn't even shut, and we had to put pillows and towels in between the pack 'n play and the toilet and wall so he wouldn't hit his head! Here is E climbing in to play with him...

That evening we headed to the beach for an attempt at kid pics...

...and he's off!

We got back from the beach and decided to pack up and

drive home...AT NIGHT...WHILE THE KIDS WERE

SLEEPING:) I hated to leave a second earlier than we had to,

but it was a much more peaceful drive. We dressed them in their

 sleep clothes and their airbrush beach shirts and headed to CC!

We had a great trip, and we're ready to go

back already (the girl and I are anyway:).

Happy 1st-4th of July!

This month has started off in a busy kind of way! Let's recap...

We spent Friday night at the ball field cheering Daddy and BBC on. Although our cheers weren't enough to put "Ws" in the book, we had a blast! Emma got the chance to bond with her "future sister-in-law", ha! (Makenna's sweet Nana and Aunt have it all planned out. I wouldn't have any complaints if it did turn out like that one day...in about 40 years, right Krystal?:)

On Saturday we went to a family reunion. These sweet

kiddos had enough of the heat and came in to cool off.

We attempted a few family pics...

Ella Kate hung out afterwards and took care of Luke! :)

Sunday we headed to GA to visit PawPaw DeWayne and

Aunt Robin (and all her crew who were here from CA).

Emma and Dillon played and played and played!

He was thrilled to NOT be the baby!

Kyle & Luke

Logan & Luke

Another attempt at family pics...

Left to Right: Logan, Luke, Kyle, Dillon, Emma &

Peyton (who was the ring bearer in my wedding!)

PawPaw, Luke & Emma

Get this...PawPaw had REAL GRASS (as opposed to the

dirt and weeds that we seem to grow at home)! Of course,

I had to put Luke down in it and take a few pics...

Both kids were completely exhausted and fell

asleep before we got out of the subdivision!

Happy Independence Day!

I'm thankful for all those who have helped to

make this country free! We spent the day playing,

swimming, and eating at "PawPaw Richard's".

Once upon a time...

there was a happy little family, which consisted of Mama, Daddy, Big Girl, and Baby Boy. Baby Boy was sick, so Mama had to take him to the doctor three days in one week (sick check, test, and re-check). Daddy offered to take Big Girl to work with him on these three days, which was greatly appreciated by Mama. At the end of the third day Daddy looks at Mama (who keeps Big Girl and Baby Boy all.by.herself. every other day of the week, and most of the time has them fed, bathed, and in bed before Daddy gets home...you get the picture)...anyway, he looks at Mama and says, "You have no idea how exhausted I am! It has been a heck of a week." You can fill in the blank with what kind of response Mama had to that. =)

The End