Friendcation

Last week we took our first vacation with friends! We went to Orange Beach, AL, right next to Gulf Shores. We decided to split the drive down into two days. Nanny packed car activities for the kids and Ainsley loved playing travel bingo, stickers, and coloring. We took our time getting past Birmingham. Stopping at rest stops to run around, to eat lunch, etc. but we made good time, found a good hotel- went to dinner and played at the pool that night. 

 

 

 

 

Ryan and Kim caught up to us that night and checked into a hotel across the street. So the next morning we met up with them to finish the last few hours to get to the beach house! The kids were so excited to get there and finally be at the beach. 

 

 

 Kim and I took off for the grocery and stocked up for the week. We only ate dinner out twice, and ordered pizza the last night. We made lots of yummy dinners and Ryan made us all breakfast almost every morning. 

 

The house we rented was much too big for our two families. But we got a good deal on it, and it was nice to have room to spread out. Parker and Jack did have their own master bedrooms though lol. Ainsley slept in the pink room, of course, with two bunk beds. And she was so happy to sleep on the top bunk. We had our own pool and were right on the beach, which was so convenient. 

 

 

We spent most of our days going back and forth between the ocean, the pool, and back to the beach after naps. At nap time Philip would usually go fishing and I would sit outside and read, or Kim and I would head to the pool. 

 

 

 

 

We were both surprised at how much Ainsley loved the beach. She doesn't love to get wet or dirty. But she loved running in the sand, looking for shells, getting knocked down by waves, and running all over the beach. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parker couldn't decide if he loved the beach or hated it. Some days he would be so happy to run and let the waves chase him. Some days he would just scream and point back to the house wanting to go back. He was always happy at the pool though. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Philip and Ryan went deep sea fishing the first morning we were there. They each caught their allowed 2 red snapper and brought them home to cook and eat. I had cereal and Doritos instead. But they had a good time and spent lots of time shore fishing. They were pretty successful and the kids had fun with it too. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weather was pretty cloudy for the week, but I enjoyed not being hot and not having to worry about the kids frying. The one morning it rained all morning we went to an indoor arcade/ laser tag. 

 

 

And we played games inside and went fishing indoors. 

 

 

 

 

 

And we did venture outside the house. We went to dinner 2 nights and one morning we went to the gulf state park. And we also went to a pier several miles down from our house and got ice cream and watched people catch fish. This is also where I almost got attacked by a pelican and left scratch marks on Ryan. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several nights after we put the kids to bed we played cards and just hung out. Some nights we passed out on the couch. It was so relaxing and we all slept so good there. The hour time difference threw the kids off a bit but not terrible. 

 

We didn't want to leave, but made it back in good time. We drove straight home and both kids were so good. I think they were just exhausted from the week and happy to watch movies in the car (thanks to Uncle Bubby!). 

 

 

 

 

 We all got along really well, with the exception of the toddlers arguing over toys every now and then. It was relaxing (for the most part), restful and fun. Can we go back now?? :) 

Summer's Here !

Can't believe it's already summertime! The end of the "school year" is always a little hectic. (I can only imagine what it will look like in 4 years). So my blogging has been lacking. 

Wrapping up the year of BSF is so rewarding, emotional, and thought provoking. My first year in leadership has been so much of a blessing in my life. The Lord equipped me in ways i wasn't sure were possible. He taught me so much through His word and fellowship with other Christian women. I am so grateful for this organization and how it seeks to do nothing but spread Truth. 

Philip got me this necklace for Mother's Day. Jesus' final words on the cross took on a whole new meaning to me this year. 

 Ainsley finished her second year of preschool. She kept up tradition and didn't sing a word in her concert. Being on stage is definitely not her thing. But she has learned a lot this year and made lots of new friends. Her and Liam were still best buds all year but she has added Lola and Jackson to her list of school best friends:) 

 

   

 

 

       She also finished her second season of soccer (hallalujah). She told us she didn't want to play but we honestly thought once she started she would enjoy it. Not the case. She hates being sweaty, didn't like to take the ball from people, and preferred to sit on the bench drinking her ice water. Oy. BUT in the last 2 minutes of her final game, she stepped it up, had a breakaway and kicked the ball for half the field, took a shot and almost made it in! I was screaming and jumping like a mad woman. I really wanted her to get to score a goal. But she seemed ok with being the only one on the team that didn't get to score this season. 

 

 

 

Our first 2 weeks of summer we have had Ainsley's cousins Anna Beth & Amelia for a play date, gone to the children's garden, the Orchard with Nanny & Pop, had Liam over, had several cookouts with Philip's family, gone to dinner with Aunt Ellen, been on countless walks and spent most of our days in the backyard:) 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer time is always a breath of fresh air. All the running around comes to a halt and you get time to just relax, be outside and just BE. 

Happy Summer Everyone!