Beach Trip 2013

Before school started, we took a day trip with the Caldwell's to the beach.  We left early Saturday (8/24) morning and followed Justin down there.  We spent about 4-5 hours on the beach, showered before leaving, then had dinner at Dockside.  The entire day was a blast and it was so nice to get away before the start of school.  Neither Bryce nor I had our camera so here are some pictures from Nicole.

The weekend of September 14-15, we spent the night with the O'Janpa's at their vacation beach house like we did last year.  They spend the entire week down there (which would be awesome) but we cannot do that:(  Maybe next year, I will take Monday off from work and stay an extra night.  We left early again and got down there at 11:00.  We changed and hit the beach before lunch.  The kids had a blast and took great naps while the adults watch the Texas A&M vs Alabama football game.  It was funny because the big TV didn't work so B and Vic tried everything they could to fix it.  What ended up happening was they took a smaller TV from one of the bedrooms and hooked that up on the side.  It worked for us. 

After naps, we hit the beach again before dinner.  Vic grilled out hotdogs and hamburgers for us and they were yummy.  The kids of course had another awesome beach session.  A got the hang of body surfing and W just ran up and down the beach chasing Julia.  This ended with good showers, dinner, then bedtime for the kids.  All 5 kids (except for E) slept in the 'kid' room.  There were 2 bunk-beds so R & Bella took the top, Julia on the bottom, A on the other top, and W on the bottom.  It worked out great and they were so tired!  We adults talk and played some spades before we went to bed.

 Sunday morning, B made us all pancakes and patty sausage.  It was really yummy!  As soon as breakfast was over, we hit the beach again until it was lunch/nap time.  And again, after naps, once more until dinner time.  We had spaghetti that Kristen made and the kids gobbled it up.  It was sad, though, because we had to leave.  Of course the kids didn't want to leave, but B and I didn't either. 
We stayed as long as we could, and I think we pulled into our driveway around 11 pm.  What a fun weekend!

Vic and Bryce dug out a pool for the kids

mud pies

E will be in this picture next year

scary looking jellyfish that washed up next to the kids' pool!!!

Kids Update

As summer is over and school is starting back, I'm afraid my blogging is going to fall to the back burner.  I'm going to try to attempt to blog while I'm pumping (which feels like it's all the time), but I also use that time to look online and plan my lessons for school.  I would love to say that I could blog once a week, but that might not be the reality.  We have so much going on in our family and so much that I want to document, but just not enough hours in the day.  I will try though. 

Here are some pictures from our last few days together over the summer.  We went to the pool, we hung out, we watched football and lots more.  I love my family and praise God for them all.  Yes, it may be crazy and loud, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  When I come home from work and W & A greet me at the door, it doesn't matter if my day at school was bad or not.  When R gets home from school and she's excited to see me, I love it.  Even E nurses longer when I feed her at 4 (I believe it's because she misses me).  What can I say?  I love my kids. 

None of this would be possible with B.  He's amazing and anyone who knows us well, knows how great he is.  He's so involved and loving to me and the kids.  Most of the dads in our small group and awesome dads, but I'm partial to B :)