Destin- Day 4-6

Well, I figured it is about time for me to actually post a blog. So here it goes...short and sweet!

I am slowly learning that sewing and smocking are hobbies that take time and patience. These hobbies are ones that require a "mother's love" which gives you the energy to work and finish a project even when exhausted and exasperated. However, I do enjoy sewing for Tate and I especially enjoy seeing her model the finished outfit. My latest project is a bubble that I have actually been working on and off for the whole summer. You can see in the pictures below just how cute she looks!



Reid looking handsome in his monogrammed Johnny that Holly sewed for him!

Destin - Day 3

Today was a 'pool day', as opposed to a beach day. The only time we went to the beach was later this evening - Diana, Tate & I took a walk out to the beach at about 5:30. The weather forecast for today called for a 50% chance of thunderstorms, and I would say that it was a fairly accurate prediction, as for about half the day it was hit or miss in terms of whether or not we were going to get wet. It would be sunny/partly cloudy for a period of time, but then all of a sudden, it would get pretty dark overhead, but not rain -- then be partly cloudy again. Finally, at about 4pm, the bottom fell out and it gave us a good soaking. Luckily, we were already back at the house either smocking (Holly & Diana), napping (Jason, Tate, Reid & Gayle) or making a Target run (John & Randy).














Tonight, after feeding and bathing the kid-o's, we had ourselves an oyster feast. Oysters Rockefeller, broiled oysters, grilled oysters, grilled shrimp, and even chicken & broccoli casserole (if you really didn't want seafood).













Now there's only a few of us still going. The girls are smocking...


























...and I am waiting for David Letterman to start! Tomorrow is supposed to be a very nice day for the beach, so hopefully we'll have some more pictures to share. Good night from FL!

Made it to the Beach!

Well, we made it down to the beach yesterday, and are looking forward to a full week of sun, fun and pure relaxation. The ride down was nice, other than trying to find somewhere to get gas in Andalusia. Every gas station we passed had no fuel, but finally, we found one that did. Tate did pretty good on the drive down. She only slept for about 40 minutes the whole trip, but thankfully GiGi and Diana were in the back with her; that kept her occupied and generally happy. She started coming apart at the seams when we got on Hwy 98, but we were only 5 minutes from our destination at that point. She was just tired of being in the car seat, and frankly, so were we!

Once we got here, unpacked, and stocked up at the grocery store, it was time to watch Auburn play a baseball game against Miss. St. -- at least that's what the score looked like. At least we won. I hope we can say the same thing next week after LSU comes to town.

This morning, we all got up and headed for the beach! Below are some pictures (we'll try to add more as the week goes along)...

Our house (at least for the week!)




















Yeah!!! We're here!!!



















Million dollar smile...













What is this stuff on my hand?!?!?!?













Let's build a castle!!!

Back to Reality... and School!

Well, Labor Day has come and gone... the one weekend you really hate to see fade away, as it represents the unofficial end of constant summer fun. BUT, we had a blast! We spent the weekend at Diana's parents' lakehouse in the water, in the boat, and in the sun! The whole crew was there including us ~ Jordan (came up from Auburn) ~ Holly, Randy & Reid ~ John & Gayle ~ Nancy ~ and Brian, Ruth & Owen. It was a full house, but those are the times you really remember for a long time.

Here's a little video documenting our big weekend...

The Wheels on the Bus Go 'Round and 'Round...

Today was Tate's first day of "school"... well, Mother's Day Out, but it sure felt like school! We were packing lunches, extra clothes, diapers, nametags, "About Me" posters, etc... We even had to turn in a sheet with her likes, dislikes, fears, comforts, favorite foods, and all about her family! Whew! That being the first time we've had to summarize it all on one sheet of paper, it was pretty challenging to "describe" our beautiful little girl in 150 words or less. Sort of surreal, too.

Here she is before leaving for her first day...

When Diana picked her up this afternoon, the teacher said "She cried on and off, but she ate all of her lunch!". Not exactly the first words you want to hear after your kid's first day of school. At least she has her cousin Reid to stick with ~ they're actually in the same "Little Lambs" class together (what a blessing!). Hopefully it will get better, and we will just continue to pray that she plays well with others and has fun. We'll also keep the teachers in our prayers -- not only that they will teach our kids with the same love as Jesus would, but that they have the same patience He would, too!