toes in the sand

this picture is a favorite for several reasons:

1. Kyle took it.

2. If I had to pick one picture out of the few I took that sums up vacation for the kids, this would be it.

3. It captures the essence of kids and their love for swimming pools. All three longed for the pool, not the ocean. Silly rabbits.

4. It gives you an idea of how great this place is. Over behind Hayes is our cottage with the purple chairs... just steps away from the pool. And on the other side, the beach. This place was probably the oldest around and some aspects definitely showed the wear, but you just can't beat the view. 

5. You can see some scratches on Hayes' chest. A reminder of a crash with an oncoming biker earlier that morning that brought our family bike ride to a halt. It wasn't pretty. But it was a little bit funny. After the fact, of course. :)

6. His crack is probably showing on the other side. What is it with these boys and keeping their pants up?

7. I love this kid.

***

Fifteen hours in the car ain't so bad when you are headed south to make memories in the sand. We enjoyed having Daddy all to ourselves for seven days, exploring the little beach towns from Pensacola to Panama City Beach and deciding that we BELONG there. Oh wait, that's just me.

We could not have asked for a more pleasant time in the car with the kids. Daddy surprised them at one of our many potty breaks at Walmart with a new
DS of their own. Their little faces lit up when he told them to each pick a color. Smart man. Knows how to buy himself some peace and quiet. :)

After our first day of driving, we woke up in Birmingham and headed to the children's muesum. The kids had a blast running around and exploring.
Now who's the smart mama with the idea to get them all worn out for the tail end of the car ride?

We also got to meet up with Drew, Liz and the boys AND Matt, Dion and the girls.
Talk about cherries on top!

You'll notice a good amount of pics of this cutie patoot. There's a reason for that. If there was a trip trooper trophy to give out, Ellie would win it.

She was always up for everything, having fun with whatever we did. She was my beach buddy and I can't wait for more walks in the sand with my girl.

That first picture may sum up vacation for the kids, but this one sums it up for me.

happy father's day!

We couldn't ask for a better Dad to lead our family. Your sacrifices, we'll never be able to repay you.

We can only learn from you. Learn how to work hard, help others and walk in the way of Christ. 

We're really too young to truly understand how good we've got it, but Mom tells us... we got it good. :)

We love you!

***

This was too cute to not add...

moonlit

I spent the weekend with Kyle on his small town ER shift. He may be blaming me for the busy Friday night

(which never happens... He finally got to bed at 3 am.), but I think he enjoyed having a buddy to explore all the sights with the remainder of the weekend.

I forgot my camera. Boo. So the iphone pics will have to do.

Breakfast in his lovely room, which doubles as a sleep study room during the week. Not too bad.

Highlight was having to walk down the hall to an empty patient room to shower. :)

We found plenty of places to fish. If only that pager would stop going off.

 

We ate dinner at the two fine dining establishments in town.

Nothing on the schedule. Bliss.

Lots of relaxing, reading and driving through some of God's beautiful country.

We also met some cows... lots, actually. And when's the last time you rented a movie from the one gas station in town?

Sure was a nice change of pace. 

Thanks babe for letting me tag along.