Just Keep Swimming....

::carefully::

::goofily::

::curiously::

::sweetly::

::fearlessly::

::maniacally::

::hysterically::

::silly::

::adventurously::

::confidently::

New Face Lift coming soon...

I'm updating my blog look.

In between naps & play time (code for @ midnight) I'll be updating photos, bios and what we've been doing so far this summer.

It'll be worth the wait.

Beach Vacation Pre-Oil

The Gulf Coast.

I've been coming here every year for practically my whole life.

Since I was a little girl, my feet have dug into the powdery white sand.
Since I was a teenager, I have know that I would bring my own children here.

Let them grow up with the same memories I grew up with.

When we were little, we would come in my parents travel trailer.
On good years, our cousins would come from Arizona and we'd caravan to our spot at the end of the strip in Gulf Shores.
We knew we were getting older when our Moms would let us walk down the beach without the Dads.
We definitely knew we had arrived when they'd let us go walking in the evening by ourselves.

The Gulf Coast is our Home Away from Home.

We got married on the beaches of Destin.

Now our Children's future memories are at stake.

They may not ever know what it is like to build sand castles and sand sculptures with their cousins.

Izzy & Sophie may not ever know the hilarity of watching Alexander bound down the beach, jumping into the water only to get stung instantly by a sting ray, run out screaming with blood running down his leg, only to have the whole trip ruined by a loooooonnng wait in the local emergency room. (smile, Josh, you're on the internet:-)

They may never know the right of passage of getting that releasing nod by their parents allowing them to walk down the beach un-chaperoned.

We aren't sure what next summer holds in regards to our family vacation to the beach, but I must share the photos from our lovely vacation this past week.

By the time we left, we still had not seen any traces of oil, but the news said it was coming. It will be there soon.

Regardless of how long it takes us to get back to our beloved Gulf Coast, I will forever have this picture in my head. Izzy & Sophie walked hand-in-hand every morning down to play at the beach together.

Our condo had a lazy river and a twirly slide that the kids L.O.V.E.D.

The kids had a BLAST playing in the sand & building castles with their new sand toys.

(Thank You, Mrs. Sharon!! )

I didn't get many shots of Alexander, he was so busy running with the cousins. I did manage these of him in the water.

We had such a lovely week. Mrs. Kay & Mr. Jimmy, thank you for such a wonderful week of memories that our children will forever treasure.

We love you so much!

Birthday on the Beach

How awesome to turn 5 whole years old on the beach in Gulf Shores?!?!?

This boy got to do that all day!!

Ann makes a Pancake Stacker for each of the boy's birthday breakfast!!

Complete with a candle!!

Happy Birthday DD!!

I'm so glad we were on the beach with you for your birthday!!

Sophie Walking Like a Diva take 5

You lika my glathes? Deys as big lika Momma's

(Translation: Do you like my glasses? They are as big as Mom's)

Are the paparazzi waiting for us?

Suck it in Izzy.
The Camera gets you at all angles.


Where are they, Guys?!?! I wore my best suit today? Really.


I got all snazzed up & they aren't even here.


I have my big Liza Minelli glasses on and everything!


Whatever.

Just, Whatever.