Part 2- Beach Club

So you know what we did during the day at the beach but we also had just as much fun in the evenings. Every night we did something different. One night we went to Lamberts in Foley, Alabama. If you have never been there you must try it. This is the home of throwed rolls. Another evening, we ate at the club house on the resort which was really nice because we didn't have to leave the resort for a nice experience. On Tuesday evening, Josh and I got to go out to celebrate our 9th anniversary (which was the week before on the 19th). We didn't exactly choose the best restaurant but we still had a nice time just the two of us.

Some other activities we did were one night we went to a place called the Wharf. It has the biggest Ferris wheel in Alabama along with a lot cute shops and restaurants by the bay. We enjoyed eating out by the big boats where Paxton and Lorelei didn't have to use their best indoor manners! On Wednesday evening we took the kids to a place called "The Track." It's one of those places with bumper boats, go carts, kiddie rides, etc. Of course Paxton LOVED the bumper boats and he and daddy were soaked by the end of this ride. Unfortunately my camera died here and there are no pictures of this particular evening (of course right?).

One night the resort had movie night down by the club pool. It was the Disney movie "Enchanted", which by the way is a really cute movie. It got to be really late though and Paxton and Lorelei didn't quite make it until the end but we still had fun watching the movie and the fireworks down by the ocean. The last night we went to an awesome little place on the bay called "Lulu's." Talk about a ton of people and long lines!! But it was worth it because we had some great food and a great atmosphere. When we got back to the resort we took their tram to the Beach club village for some ice cream to help end a fabulous week!

We had so much fun last week and Paxton cried when we left. It has been hard coming off vacation this week but we are adjusting back to life here at home. Thanks to mom and dad for inviting us and to Josh, who got the ph in the first place through a client of his. Here are some more pics of us hanging out in the condo and around town.

Our family at the club house.

Me and Paxton hanging out on the balcony.

Daddy and Paxton being silly!

Granny and Lorelei

I love this picture of Lorelei! She is doing a "curtsy" for the camera. (She is into the ballet thing.)

My Little Mover!

My sweet family!

The Beach Club - Part 1

Well, we just back from a wonderful vacation in Gulf Shores. We went for a week with my parents and grandmother. My sweet gracious parents invited us along to stay at a fabulous penthouse that overlooked the Gulf. The penthouse was wonderful and my parents let our family take the master suit (aren't they the best?!!) to spread all of our stuff about in. Lorelei and Paxton enjoyed sleeping next to each other on their make shift beds on the floor, while Josh and I got to sleep in a king sized bed- gotta get us one of those for home!

Our days were spent in the sand and sun down at the beach. The kiddos loved just playing in the sand-dumping it in and out over and over again (we have a sandbox here but I haven't filled it up since we moved-probably should). I was amazed at how long they could spend just playing in the sand and sitting at the edge of the water. We also buried Josh, Paxton and Lorelei in the sand which was a big hit- no, mama, was not into that. Daddy built sand castles for Paxton and Lorelei, or as Lorelei said "Build me a city daddy!" Lorelei was intimidated by the ocean's waves but Paxton was ready to jump right in with daddy. We were very lucky not to have gotten stung by jelly fish, as they were everywhere and at least 4 or 5 people would get stung while we were there everyday!

The pools were also a big hit. There were 5 different pools along with hot tubs for us to enjoy. I am so proud of Lorelei who is now swimming with arm floaties instead of baby float. She really loved playing with her water toys on the steps and hanging out with grandmama near the edge. Paxton is now insisting on wearing his life vest all the time- we will have to work on swimming without it now that we are home again- but loved dunking daddy and having splash fights with mama. The pools were really nice to cool off in after spending a few hours in the hot sand. Speaking of sand, I never knew how sand could be in every crevice of your body and your child's! We were such a mess everyday after spending time at the beach- Josh in particular loved this part!

Anywho, that is how we spent most of our days- besides naps, which by the way they slept great thanks to the incredible automatic shutters that shut out all light from the bedrooms! I will do another post on our non-beachy activities. Here are some of the many many pics that my parents and I took last week- more to come!

The view from our balcony.

Some parasailers. Dad and I almost did this but we waited till the last day and they didn't have any spots left. Maybe next year!

Like I said, the kids spent hours just doing this!

Paxton, catching a wave with his daddy!

My beach beauty!

Lorelei only wanted to get partially buried in the sand.

Where's Paxton? Paxton was our little beach bum this week. He just loved the beach and his hair turned really blond and he has the cutest little tan (yes, I did put 50spf on him like every hour but he still got tanned-not burned!)

Chilln' in the sand!

Grandmama and her little butterfly. I got the kids the cutest towels from Target. They have hoods and are kid sized! Lorelei is a butterfly and Paxton is a shark.

Decked out in their beach attire!

GIRLS WEEK 08'!!!

We just finished up Girls reunion week 2008! It was so much fun once again. This year the girls came to see me! Everyone brought their kids and I had mine with me. I was so excited for Lorelei and Paxton to get to play with Ethan, Caroline, Sadie and even baby Noah! It was such a neat experience to see all my gal pals with their little ones. I am so proud of each of them because they are all such great mommies! I am SO impressed with Christie's ability to love on each of our kiddos this week too! I can tell she must be an awesome kindergarten teacher. I know that my kids wanted to go home with her after the week was over- Lorelei keeps asking for you Christie!

We started the week with a cookout and just hanging out and catching up. The next day we took all the kids and all our gear down to the pool. It was cool just hanging out with each other and playing with each others kids. That night we went to Stone Mountain. We rode the train and watched the laser show. I wish I had more pics, (I am sure Emily will post enough for me!) of everyone there. The kids were so cute dancing to the music and Paxton and Ethan played with their light up swords. It was a super late night- I think everyone was worn out by the time we got home. But, we had enough energy to hit the Aquarium the next day! Another adventure in itself. Once again, my fatigue, taking Lorelei to the potty, and just plain laziness took over and thus their are no pictures (I also think my camera was buried under all the stuff in the double stroller). We were quite a sight- 5 adults, 6 children, a double stroller and two umbrella strollers- and poor Paxton who had to walk since he was the oldest and biggest (NOT happy about the walking). We ended the week with a little trip to Bahama Breeze and an evening of talking and reminiscing. We missed Lynsay, Nichele and Katrina- hope you guys can join us next year!!

I am so glad that each and every one of you girls got to come and visit me and my family. I am so thankful for the role you all have played in my life and I pray that we all can continue to stay in touch and bless each others lives!! (Oh and a belated Happy Birthday to Emily- still feeling bad that I forgot!!)

The kids at the pool- Lorelei, Paxton and Ethan- I couldn't catch Caroline in the pic.

Christie with Noah.

Sadie and Caroline.

Ok, Paxton had a real thing for little Miss Caroline. He wanted to love on her all week! It was actually really sweet!

Josh and Lorelei. Josh hung out with us girls the night we went to laser show. He was such a Life Saver this week!!

Dancing in front of Stone Mountain.

Ethan and Paxton with their laser swords.

Christie and Lorelei

Me and sweet little Noah. It was so great to finally meet little Noah. He is Ashley's first baby and I love him to pieces! He is so precious!!

Ok, Yeah for Me! I did actually take ONE picture at the Aquarium. This is Ethan and Paxton with Deepo- the Aquarium's mascot- looks like Nemo if you ask me!