Beach Trip (Part I)

Last week we finally took a family vacation to the beach. This was our first trip as a family of 4.

When we scheduled our trip, little did we know that my grandfather would become extremely ill before we were set to depart. Although he was still sick, we decided along with the rest of my family to continue with our plans and take the girls to the beach.

Our destination was chosen because Audrey has been asking for months to go to the beach...and I'm so glad she wanted to go. Our trip was absolutely wonderful. Just perfect!!!

After a visit to the hospital to visit Pawpaw, we set out to Gulf Shores. On the drive down it rained, no that is an understatement...it STORMED most of the way down. It was raining so heavily that we were traveling about 15 miles per hour on the interstate! Talk about nerve-wrecking!!!

It was dinner time when we finally made it to the condo. We just threw everything in the condo and headed out to find some dinner. It was still storming :( Desoto's Seafood was where we chose to eat. This was our pick because of the location just a few blocks from the condo. Due to the storms, we didn't want to venture far. Boy did we make a good choice!! That place was delicious!!!

After we got our bellies full, we went back to the condo and crashed. I said a prayer that the weather would at least be somewhat decent in the morning because I had a 3 year old that desperately wanted to build sandcastles on the beach.

When I rolled out of bed the next morning, this is what I saw...





So I grabbed my sweet Audrey and headed outside...in our PJs. We left Addison and Corey at the condo and we just shared some mommy/daughter time walking down the beach, holding hands and talking. Memories I'll cherish forever.

After some breakfast and a quick change into our swimsuits, we hit the beach. I was a little concerned about how Addison would react to the sand. I didn't know if she would like it or hate it and pitch a fit...

...Obviously she loved it! Haha!

I couldn't keep her from putting it in her mouth...so I just gave up!

While Addison and I played in the sand, Corey and Audrey ventured into the water. She has a blast jumping in the waves. The water was a little chilly, but you got used to it after being in there for a few minutes. The only bad thing was that there was jellyfish EVERYWHERE!

Then we made many, many sandcastles. It basically went like this: Corey and I would build the sand castles. Audrey would fill her watering can with water and pour on top of the castle while Addison did a little demolition to it as soon as we finished.

(...see part 2...next post)

Playdate with Zoe Kate

My friend, Diana, had an engagement to attend the other day so her cutie-pie ZK came over to play with us for a while. She is such a good baby and the girls and I LOVE when she comes to stay with us for a while. It is so cute to watch the 3 of them playing together.

ZK and Addison see what all they can get into while Audrey is the little "mommy" to them. I just love watching the interaction.

Audrey giving ZK loving.




Audrey said she was "babysitting".



Audrey taking photos of the babies.



The red ball was "the" toy of the day. Both girls kept taking it away from each other. Not sure what was so interesting about "that" ball...especially since there were 5 more to choose from.

Now are those some guilty faces, or what????

Pumpkin Patch (Part 2)

Grammy and her "Sunshine"



Audrey really enjoyed that blue cotton candy!



Checking out the teepee.





Grammy and Addison searching for the perfect pumpkin.



Finally found it!


Our little pumpkin in the pumpkin patch!



Audrey and Daddy looking for her perfect one...

...and still searching...I think we walked the entire place ...

...before finding the one she loved...

We enjoyed the hayride.

One happy little girl!

Addison watching Audrey play on the inflatables.

Audrey had tons of fun on these things.

And we browsed the petting zoo.

Our family!! We are so blessed! And we had a fabulous time!

Pumpkin Patch (Part 1)

This year we took the girls to the "Grand Ole Pumpkin Patch" in Clanton. Since we were soooo close to our family, we asked Grammy to meet us there. We had such a wonderful time! The weather was perfect. The crowd was minimal. The company was fabulous. How could it get any better than that??

Audrey sporting her cute blue pigtails that her daddy bought.

Audrey enjoyed a horseback ride. She was so brave!




And poor Addison had to watch Audrey ride from the stroller. You can tell that she is taking it all in...and REALLY wants to be riding also!

Grammy and her girls!

Sweet Addison with her adorable smile. I had to shoot these photos fast because she wanted to eat that hay.

And my precious Audrey, who, VERY reluctanly smiled for the camera. Yes, she is in "that" stage :(

My two blessings!

Sisters

I could just watch these two play together all day long! They have so much fun together :)

And they love fun evenings ganging up and climbing all over Daddy.