Lake fun

We have been having such a great time just enjoying family.  We spent 2 nights and 3 days and Compass Lake, a place where I have tons of childhood memories.  The kids have been there just a few times but this time they are all old enough to remember all of the fun things they did. 


The outdoor shower was a huge hit, as always.  What kid (or grown up) doesn't enjoy an outdoor shower? We had sandy feet for 3 days straight and loved it.

Spending the 4th of July on the lake was a ton of fun and watching my husband, T and my cousin try to make cheer worthy fire work displays was even more fun.  
When we got back to my grandfather's after the lake house my sister and my brother in law had already made it here so we have had a blast of a sleepover. 

My sister lives in Austin, which is only about 3 hours from me but with her work and our crazy schedules this has been our first vacation together in a long time.  

JUMP!

R waiting for her own dock jump

Lighting fire works for the 4th

Father/Son dock jump!

B loving on G while hanging on the dock

R and my cousin's pup, Penelope

My three water bugs

Night time turtle hunting

My girl and me

T made it up on the skis!  His first time to ski and he made it up on his secong try.

My sis and me laughing....as usual.

Tomorrow we leave my grandfather's and head to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort for a little more fun in the sun.  I can't wait to see the resort, I've heard some wonderful things about the place and can't wait to see it for myself.  We will be letting you know about while we're there, including pictures of our digs and the resort itself.  Stay tuned....

Easy going family time....

We made it! 

We left the house around 4:00am on Sunday only to have to turn back around 30 minutes down the road because I forgot my purse. Lame.  We got right back on the road though and made to Alabama in pretty good time. 
We had quite a few stops but only one that lasted longer than 10 minutes.  We stopped at the Mississippi Welcome Center and had a picnic lunch that I had made the night before (mom points!).  It was good for all of us to get out of the car for about 40 minutes and run around. 

Picnic!

I took pictures from an odd perspective and sent "Do you you know where we are?" texts to my mom, dad and sister. This drive has become a tradition in itself.

I am so happy that the kids were able to sleep a lot on the way...especially the big kids.  G kept himself pretty occupied and didn't fall into a deep sleep until we were about 2 hours away. 

Since we arrived we have had a pretty laid back time.  We've been visiting with family, eating out and having a big time.

We made it to the pool today where it started lightening about 15 minutes after the kids got in the pool.  We huddled under the covered area and waited it out.  After the lifeguards saw lightening they had to wait 30 more minutes before anyone could get in.  After the last lightning we saw, we headed on to the tennis courts to goof around. We waited long enough and were able to spend the rest of the afternoon in the water.  Well, B and the kids did...I got to watch the fun and visit with my uncle.

My Papa

Visiting (and obviously R is very annoyed?)

B, my uncle and T

G

G and R

R

T

And then it started raining.....

waiting on the rain to stop

.....but it stopped and we were able to play

Tomorrow we are off to my aunt and uncle's lake house and I am pumped.  Hoping the rain stays away until we have all of our fun.  I hope everyone has a fab 4th!!

Vacation is only a few days away.....

We leave Sunday or Monday for our family road trip to see my family in Alabama and then on to Florida for our Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort getaway.....then driving over to the Hampton Inn and Suites in Orange Beach, Alabama.  After we are completely beached-out (is that truly possible?)  we are going to my aunt's for a few days where I will stay with the kiddos (B is flying out for home the 16th, somebody's gotta work) while T goes to the Auburn Soccer Camp. Stoked! 
The big kids are at Camp Woodmen right now, we pick them up tomorrow morning, so G has been an only child this week.  He has loved it....and he has missed his brother and sister.  I had him put some of T's clothes on his  bed last night after folding them and G came in with his head hung low and said, "Seeing his clothes makes me miss him!" So sweet. Especially since tomorrow on the way home I'm sure they will back to fighting again.

I am truly a procrastinator.  I should be packing right now or even cleaning the house some more, because a clean house is what everyone should come home to...but I'm not.  I'm stalling.
While stalling, I decided to ask G what his thoughts were on what we should pack and what we should do while we're gone.  Here is a 5 year old's take on things....

Quit cracking jokes, I'm not an artist and I realize that my box of crayons looks like french fries and my shark looks like a barracuda.

He did pretty good....except for the whole diving with sharks idea. He also wants to bring along Leni, our dog, but no can do.  12 hour road trip each way, 2 stays on the beach and family hospitality...I'd rather not overstay my welcome with my spoiled Dachshund.  Luckily, my sister in law and mother in law love her too, so they will be dogsitting and of course feeding our old lady, Daphne who won't care that we're gone anyway.  (You might remember Daphne, the bird hunter) 

So, I told y'all about our trip to the water park the other day and I even mentioned my lopsided tan lines (just a few times via Twitter...).  B took this picture when we got home....the picture just doesn't do it justice.  Have you ever had something look so bad that you had to show it off?  Like a badge of stupidity? Yep.

I totally spaced out and have been forgetting about the Photo a Day challenge.  I would love to say that I'll participate in the July challenge while we're on vacation but let's be honest here.  I might do a few while I'm gone.

Today's challenge...the bathroom. 

shower curtain love

Everyone enjoy your Wednesday....I'm off to bathe the mutts so I can have a little less guilt about leaving them behind. 

Happy Anniversary and beach pics!

13 years ago today.....I was a fresh faced, brand new high school grad, barely turned 18 year old and I was absolutely sure I had found the love of my life.  I would like to say that everyone else agreed but let's get real....I had turned 18 less than 2 weeks before my wedding day and my soon to be husband was 21.  Our parents were not too happy...I don't know of many people that were except for his grandmother who I guess was a hopeless romantic like we were.
There have been ups, downs, and all arounds.  We have been amazingly blessed with 3 healthy and gorgeous kiddos and needless to say our families warmed up to the idea of marriage. We have lived every part of our vows.....better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness and in health.....and I am still able to throw my head back and laugh so I guess you can say it's all worth it! 
Happy Anniversary to us! Is anyone else hearing Boyz 2 Men singing in the background?

And now for the rest of the vacation pictures...mostly from the beach.  I want to be back there....like now.

One of my favorite things to do on the beach...we chase crabs! Think flashlight tag with crabs.



Found one!




Daddy found a starfish!  Griff loved seeing it's little "fingers" moving




A dolphin friend stopped by for a little show



Relaxing on Shell Island....if you go to Panama City Beach definitely take the Blue Dolphin Tour!



Rhys having a blast




Tyler's turn



Warning: extreme use of pictures ahead

Just some fun from our vacation! Beach pics to come next....



Oh, Auburn University how we love you





The sweet boy




The Rocky Brook Express....a train I used to ride when I was a kid




The pre teen caboose




Meeting their aunt and uncle for the 1st time!




My Aunt and Uncle :)





Happy 4th!




Boys will be boys




Dance Party in my Papa's office




Hi-YA!




Tyler with my Papa




Peace with Papa