Nap Time

Sleeping

On The

Beach Makes

For Some

Mighty Sweet Dreams.

The P.S. Part of Our Vacation

Our family trip to Florida was capped off by a little extra vacation with family in Alabama. Let me just say Southern Hospitality is not a myth. :) The time we spent there was the perfect spot to rest after our vacation! The kids were spoiled rotten (Thanks so much for loving on them!) and Doug and I had a wonderful time catching up and enjoying watching our kids make new family memories.

It didn't take Hope long to find this plant stand and decide it was her personal drum. We were intermittently serenaded throughout the day with songs like "Jesus Loves Me" and "The Farmer in the Dell". As long as she had "M's" attention she kept singing.

They even had a bike that Ty and Becca were going to take turns riding. Until Tyler realized that "K" was willing to throw the football. Be seen and possibly photographed riding a pink bike...throw the football. What's an almost nine year old boy to do?

The football play continued later as Daddy laid out the "play" on his hand and they tried their best to learn the art of running routes.

Meanwhile Hope was enamored with the newly filled bird bath. She "helped" by putting all the rocks in and then washing them repeatedly.

Later Doug was throwing the football while Ty tried to crab walk and catch the ball, Becca and Hope got "K" involved in a game of "house".

This naturally led to a fire in the chiminea which had to be followed with marshmallows.

Breeley was ready to be tucked in, but she held out for a little while around the fire.

I have never seen Ty, Becca and Hope fall asleep so fast. Thanks, K & M for such a wonderful day.

Wordless Wednesdays - Sisters

Growing Up

Every now and then I get a new look into ways my kids are growing up. The other night we stopped at a roadside park that normally has some cool stumps in the ocean, or great driftwood to sit the kids on to take pictures.

Some posed obligingly, others not so much. I'll let them remain anonymous.

I knew the kids hadn't brought their camera's and I have yet to pass kindergarten when it comes to sharing my "nice" camera. They are getting good with it, but walking on a beach in the sand. Um, NOPE!
So I pulled out my nice, but no removable parts camera and let them snap away.

It's a fantastic place to watch the sun go down. While I captured pictures - and posed for a few - the sun sank into the ocean. A sight our little family never can watch too many times.

When I downloaded the pictures, this is what I saw.

Their perspective. Their ideas. Their composition. A small glimpse through my children's eyes.

Wordless Wednesday - Florida edition

A Small Story

It all began when good little children are going to bed. But instead of being tucked into bed, we tucked our children into car seats. And drove. All. Night. Long.

Doug after driving most of  the night.

In the morning, the sun came up and the children were surprisingly happy. (The 5 adults counted their blessings.)

Even the baby was happy. Can you guess how many hours of prayer went into this trip?

 

The two big kids were happy to be out of the van and riding with Grammy and Papaw, so unfortunately there are no travel pictures of them.

We soon arrived at our familiar destination and found a wonderful surprise. The kids were elated to find this.

  

And so were the parents. The kids ran off some  a lot of energy. 

Breeley sat in sand for the first time. 

She eventually warmed up to the idea and gave me a grin. And then went to work.

And then tasted it.

After a quick clean up she went to join Grammy and Papaw and "the boys" as they are known on the swing.

Then we headed down to the beach for a quick run. This beach was a little muddy and not so much sandy so we headed out rather quickly.

We heard from the locals that a refurbished ship was in town and headed off for a tour. Ate lunch at a local (wonderful) Mexican restaurant, got some groceries and headed toward our rental home. That night some sleepy eyed kids watched a movie. The grownups unpacked and cleaned up dinner.

The day ended with  a beautiful sunset. And soft beds.

The days since have been filled with sun and sand. Wind and waves. Beautiful sunrises (not that I've seen them) and beautiful sunsets. Moonlight shining on the waves. Sandcastles and shell collecting. 

Today I'm sitting on the couch. Watching the waves crash, the porch swing sway in the breeze and the clouds play peek-a-boo with the sun. I'm so grateful to be in this beautiful place with some of the ones I love best.

Not So Wordless Wednesday- Home Life

Love those deep brown eyes!

What happens when naps don't happen.

Sleepy mornings.

She's not camera shy!

Where did my baby go?

First spaghetti face!

Look, Grammy! I'm wearing the dress you made me.

My 7 year old. Thanking God for these precious years.

Nine months already. I love the "Pebbles" look.