The Beach, Part 1

Only worry in the world - is the tide going to reach my chair!

I'm not sure there is anything better than a few days at the beach!  It's even more special when spent with my children and grandchildren.  Lindsey and I both believe the earlier you hit the sand the better!  We were able to check in early the first day, so we got in several hours of fun in the sun!  The second day we were actually on the beach before 7:30!



Wipe Out!

This one didn't put herself in a position to wipe out, but she did have lots of fun in and out of the water!

The ocean was warm and clear, and the weather was beautiful!

Our little beach bums!!

Fun at the Oyster House! I am happy to say that eating out with these three is a breeze now!!  

They only found two little crabs, but had lots of fun searching!

Pop had lots of help carrying our wagon full of stuff out!  I love where we stay! You have a gulf front view in front and the pass is on the side! Watching the boats come through the pass is beautiful!  These were headed out to the Blue Marlin Championship.  We also got to watch the tons of boats that headed to Pensacola for the airshow.

Lots of holes were dug!

Fishing, hermit crabs, flying kites and more!

Much more beach fun to come, and  Uncle C and Aunt Taylor join us.

River Trip

Our kids grew up going to the river.  It was a really special time for us, and we hope to be able to share these times with the grandbabies, too!  Maddie has been a few times, but this was the first time for both Lillian and Reed.  All are now hooked! There's just something about being on the water!

All smiles as we head down the river!  They enjoyed helping Pop drive!

This cutie had a ball!

And so did these two! Pop looks pretty happy, too!

After a boat ride, we stopped and played on a sandbar for a while.

We also enjoyed a little picnic lunch in the boat.

Then we played a little bit more!  I happened to pull up the radar and noticed some pretty big storms headed our way.  Pop decided we better head back.

So, we loaded these cuties up and headed toward the landing.  

We had a near perfect day!  As we are riding down the river enjoying the ride, suddenly the boat makes a hiccup sound and quits!  I mean just quits!!  After working on it for a while, Pop pulled out the paddle and we slowly headed down stream.  He handed me his phone and told me to text some friends that we hoped were nearby.  I am happy to report that there are still some really good people in this world.  All 4 responded, and one sweet friend was able to be there rather quickly, with another on standby!  

I might also add that the kids were real troopers during the entire adventure, AND the storm held off until we made it almost home!!

A Birthday and Peas

In this family, we believe in multiple celebrations for all birthdays.  I think of it as more of a birthday month, rather than just one day!  Taylor fixed a wonderful meal for Caleb's birthday. Reed and I and her parents were invited to their house for a special birthday supper.  Have I mentioned how much I enjoy having these two living so close by?

Everything was wonderful!

The birthday boy!! He's blessed with some great in laws!!

Levi wasn't really into this attempt at a family photo!  Notice that Taylor was ready in every photo-Caleb and Levi, not so much!!

And on another note, these three were great pea shellers!  Clothes are optional when shelling!

Happy Fourth!

God has blessed not only America, but also our family.  I love any opportunity to get together, but the Fourth of July is definitely one of my favorite times of the year!  We have been hosting the family for several years now, and I simply love it!!

The night before, everyone except Reed and I ventured down to the sand piles to shoot a few fireworks! Reed had retired for the night!

The next day we got everything ready and then waited patiently for everyone to arrive. Maddie played a little badminton and waited at the end of the drive for the cousins.

These two waited inside on the guests to arrive.

Pop got up in the wee hours to get the meat on.  Yummy!

We changed things up a little bit, and served the food from inside.  I think it worked much better.

 And we set the tables up under the big sycamore tree in the front, rather than around the pool.  It was much, much cooler!

This stinker was playing a little game of peek a boo!

Family, food and fun!

It's awesome having the sweet Hall's as part of the family now!

Perfect day for some fun in the pool!

Happy Fourth!

Birthday Boys

We have been celebrating Reed's birthday for weeks now! But due to one thing or another, we just hadn't been able to get any pictures.  So, even though he had cupcakes and opened presents on his real birthday, we got a tractor cake, sang "Happy Birthday", took a few pictures and celebrated his sweet little self again! Later this week, Uncle C will also be celebrating his birthday.  We always celebrate his birthday when the family is here for the fourth! It seems like yesterday, he was a blonde haired little one like Reed.  We are so proud of the wonderful man he has grown to be!

Happy Birthday to you!! This little one loves some tractors!  Riding Pop's front end loader is his favorite!  The Polaris and lawnmower are tops on his list, too!

Lillian approved of the cake and couldn't wait to share it with Reed.

Papa came to celebrate with us!

First we eat-then we celebrate!

I love his sweet expressions!

Sweet Lillian is as excited as Reed!

Happy Birthday to you!

Blowing out the candle proved to be a little bit of a challenge!



For the entire month of June, Reed sang "Happy Birthday Papa, Happy Birthday to you!"

Papa and Josh enjoyed the fun!

Yummy!!



The black icing was yummy and quite entertaining!



There are no words!  We love this one (and his sisters) to pieces!!



Big Sister got in on the fun, too!

We started our Fourth of July by celebrating this sweet guy!!



He really had trouble blowing out his candles!  Kris fixed him up when some "special ones", and he finally just gave up!!



He was a good sport though!



On a different note, we had a girls day Saturday.  We ventured over to Geyser Falls, and had an awesome time!! This is our before picture!



And this was our after!  In between, we just had lots and lots of fun!  We plan to go back with the guys later this summer!



Next up-An awesome Fourth of July!