Vacation 2010 - Day 8

Well, this morning John and I found out that my Mom got very ill while we were out last night. Dad and Mom were not able to leave this morning, because she couldn't travel. I feel so badly for her.

We also found out this morning that some old friends from our church in LA decided to come to Orange Beach after all! We all debated before coming - not knowing how the oil spill would effect things! So far this area is GREAT!

Jack is relaxing!

Grant is looking for the Frisbee.

Shelby is trying to climb back up!

Getting a little help from Dad!

Frisbee with friends!

Ah ... who pushed?

We had a great time at the pool with the Nicholls family! What a blessing to see them! Shelby was a able to hang out with her friend, Hillary, which was a sweet surprise!

Is it movie time or nap time?

Trying to wake up!

After everyone was waking up, John took the kids to putt on the greens. They had fun - some used their golf clubs like pool sticks, others as weapons and no telling what else! While they were out I prepared breakfast for supper. Mom had asked me to not cook this morning because the smell wouldn't have helped her at all! We had planned a BIG breakfast, so we just moved it to the evening meal since we leave tomorrow!

My last Orange Beach sunset for a while!

After dinner we played UNO. Jack had been asking for days to play!

Crazy kidos!

Before dinner John and I slipped out to the surf shop to pick up some t-shirts. John had seen one he wanted, so he got that one. I found the boys all matching ones, then I got Shelby and me one alike! FUN memories of our vacation! So, after UNO we gave the kids their shirts and put them in bed. John and I packed a bit, then crashed!

Vacation 2010 - Day 7 Happy Anniversary!

John started off the day with a little fishing!

First he took Shelby and Jack, then Grant!

We decided to try out the pool at building B this morning.

A new slide to try!

Daddy'o is going slow!

Grant

Michael is just watching!

Shelby is going VERY slow!

Dad, Mom and Paige arrived while we were at the pool. They had checked out of their condo. Dad and Mom were coming to stay with us a night so we could go out for our anniversary tonight, but Aunt Paige was heading home!

Paw Paw and Michael playing around on the balcony.

Everybody kind of rested this afternoon.

Shelby is waking up from a much needed nap!

Happy Anniversary! 15 Years!

We are headed out to do a little shopping and to dinner.

Dad and Mom took these sunset pictures for us while we were gone.

After we went shopping in Foley, I took this pic of the sunset from the car.

Then we were on a mission to find some yummy food for our anniversary dinner.

We ended up at the Oyster House. Everything was great! We split some blackened shrimp then some fish - YUM! After dinner we walked to a pier on the beach. John read a sweet anniversary poem for me, but we didn't hang out long - there was a cool breeze blowing that night!

Vacation 2010 - Day 6

I awakened this morning to quiet! :) For some reason I can't sleep very late anymore ... hum, wonder why??!?!?!? It was very nice to get up and do my Bible Study without interruptions. It was truly a QUIET time.

John got up and headed to go work out. I stayed in and piddled around - answered a couple of e-mails and just enjoyed the moments of watching the boats ...

and the dolphins!!!

Our morning plans were to head to the beach at my parents' condo. We headed that way and the kids were ready. We all went down to the beach. The waves weren't as strong today as they were the first couple of days we were at the beach, so the kids were able to enjoy the gulf a little more without having John right there with them.

Michael had fun jumping the waves with Paw Paw, but I had to bribe Jack to get out in it.

Jack was wanting to stay in today, then he just wanted to stay under the umbrella. I knew he would enjoy getting out in the water since it wasn't as strong today, so I wouldn't let him have his fruit punch drink until he tried it. Jack went out with John and had a blast. He came back and sucked down his drink, then when John went out again - Jack was ready to go again! :) I will have to say, "I told you so!"

We actually were able to take a walk by ourselves! :)

Shelby wanted to be buried like Grant was the other day!

I would be miserable, but they LOVE it!

Michael didn't go as deep, but still LOVED it!

Haven't spent time on the beach with family in a while!

Well, actually, haven't spent time with family in a while period!
Great to see you, Aunt Paige!

All this four year old had to hear is someone (an older sibling) mention the word "sand angel"!

The sand doesn't bother Michael!

Mommy on the beach! :)

Cool kids!

After a while, we went up to the pool. I went up stairs to get their stuff together. We got the kids dressed and headed back to our place. Grant went straight to bed, but the others ate a bite of lunch. The kids started a movie and we went to nap. When I got up from a well-needed 2 hour nap, Michael was asleep and Grant was up eating his lunch! WOW! We are all wiped out!

We got busy getting our supper plans together, because we had invited Paw Paw, Jen Jen and Aunt Paige to come for dinner. Burgers - a favorite of our family! The boys cooked downstairs on the grill. John made some frozen concoctions for the kids in the blender and it was a great night! A beautiful sun set was on tap and after dinner the kids pulled out the Pit game! Oh the fun! Michael had lots of energy because of his nap, so he and Paw Paw played games of tickle and hide and seek.

John grilling our burgers! Excellent!

Enjoying the burgers!

Another beautiful sunset!

Amazing how different the sunset can look on the same day just a few minutes later!

Aunt Paige and Shelby

Of course Michael wants in on this deal!

Playing Pit!

Amazingly, after our guests left, the kids who didn't nap were asleep quickly - BUT the ones that did nap were asleep almost just as fast!!!! So, I sit here typing as John watches a movie. Good night!

Vacation 2010 - Day 5

Well, I was right. Fishing is on tap this morning! Grant, Shelby & John headed down to check out how the fish were biting! I started making breakfast for the younger boys. After their tummies were full, the other crew came in and ate. Paw Paw came over and they all headed down to fish. Over the course of the morning, they caught over 15 fish. John cleaned two of them and plans to cook them another day.

Can you tell that Jack LOVES pancakes?

Michael likes them some times!

Jack caught 6 or 7 fish this morning! Can you tell how happy he is?

Paw Paw helping with the kidos!

The kids are a little tired of swimming today! We planned to take them to lunch one day, so this seemed to be a great day! We had wanted to take them to a fun place that they would enjoy, so John picked Lambert's Cafe.

Paw Paw and Jen Jen went with us! It was a hit!

We ALL had left overs and hardly anyone ate dinner!

Grant, Jen Jen & Shelby - look at those cups!

I don't think Lambert's knows the word - moderation!

Mommy & Michael

Michael was scared at first and didn't want to go in this place. He kept hearing Paw Paw talk about getting hit with a roll, and he wanted nothing to do with that! Amazingly, that boy ate some rolls!!!!

Daddy, Jack and Michael ... more rolls!

Shelby, that roll is TOO big!

Jack & Daddy

Shelby and Paw Paw

Grant, Jen Jen and our roll "thrower"!

Picture time!

John asked Grant, "So, is this the long black train?"

Paw Paw & Jen Jen, a.k.a. Dad & Mom, a.k.a. R.W. & Jen

We had also set aside a little spending money for each child. So, stopped by a couple of souvenir shops and let the kids spend some of their money. Paw Paw and Jen Jen were good sports!

Souvenir Shop! Can you tell we are tourists?

Today's sunset!

Paw Paw, Jen Jen and Aunt Paige had invited the kids to come to their place to spend the night tonight. We decided to take them up on their offer. We dropped all of them off at their condo, the Phoenix East II. John, Shelby and I came back to our condo, Caribe, and packed them an overnight bag. I was ready to prop up and rest! :)

Swimming at Paw Paw's condo.

Michael - are we having fun yet?

Two cookies? I will have to talk to Aunt Paige about that!

After I rested, John and I headed over to my parent's condo to take the kids crab hunting. They had been swimming for a little while and some had eaten a little dinner. We headed out and found a couple of crabs. The kids were thrilled. Michael had bought a light saber with his money this afternoon, so that was pretty fun on the beach at night!

The first one was small, but this one was HUGE!

Michael's light saber on the beach!

Paw Paw & Michael fighting - Star Wars style!

Shelby went to cuddle with Michael before bed!

We took the kids up and helped them get settled in bed, then we headed out.

John and I went to get a fruity beach beverage and ended up playing some Galaga and Ms. PacMan! That brought back some memories!

We came back to our combo to some peace and quiet! Very much appreciated!

Thanks Paw Paw, Jen Jen and Aunt Paige! Hope you rest well!