first beach day of 2012

We went to Gulf Shores beach with some friends last weekend.

The weather was seriously perfect.

The boys dug holes and stood in them.

There was lots of running and splashing in the waves.

We found many broken sand dollars.

Madison posed for a photo.

So did Luke. Kind of. This is one of my favorite photos of him. He looks so mature.

More posing.

Best photo of the day. I love shadow photographs.

Spring time in Alabama rocks!

Tweet

this is NOT my view anymore...

....and I am NOT happy about it one bit.



Tweet

a bit about bums

We are such bums! Beach bums that is! Er, actually, pool bums, seeing that our beach is full of oil. But that hasn't stopped our family from packing up and coming down to Gulf Shores for the week. We have soaked up lots of sun and water over the past few days. And eaten lots of bagel chips and dips. Brady and I are taking a break in our condo untill Daddy joins us and the fun begins all over again.

My Dad has taken the boys fishing and they just love it. They have caught Pin Fish, Croker, and Micah hooked a Red Fish. They were all pretty tiny so we tossed them back. We have a great pier at our condo for fishing.

Micah and Brady have grown to be such great swimmers in the past few days! Micah no longer has to hold his nose everytime he goes under. He learned how to blow bubbles out his nose. No more one handed swimming! Yay Micah. I invested in a Puddle Jumper for Brady and from the moment he put it on he has been swimming all around the pool by himself. He even jumps in and goes under without it bothering his face! Yay Brady. So very proud of my boys!

Luke and Madison are tan as can be! They are having a blast with all their 2nd cousins loving on them. They have been taking turns with our snorkel mask and giant inner tube.

It's nice to be a bum every now and then!

Tweet

family traditions

Every summer, for as long as I can remember, my Dad's side of the family has gotten together to spend a week in Gulf Shores, Alabama. It is a family tradition. Oh, the memories we have made over the years! Like annual fishing rodeos, playing Trivial Pursuit and The Newlywed Game, jet skiing, pontooning, awards night, talent show night, trips to Souvenir City, playing goofy golf, Sam the Sand Crab, fishing off the pier, parasailing, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, staying at the Romar House and crab night! These are just a small sample of the sweet memories I have from all the years staying in Gulf Shores.

This summer is no different! We started our vacation this past Saturday. The majority of our family are staying in beach houses down on the Gulf. What a pleasure it is seeing everyone and spending time with one another. It used to be myself and my cousins as the littles of the family. Now, my cousins and I have grown and some of us have littles of our own! They are the ones carrying on the traditions of fishing off the pier, taking that trip to Souvenir City, and building sand castles. I can't tell you how thankful I am for my ENTIRE family and the precious memories I hold in my heart.

I can't help but picture my brother, Martin, still here with us and thinking about what he would be doing. Wishing he were close by to hear his thoughts on the oil spill, complaining about the weather, making plans to play tennis or see a movie, or planning a water balloon war with our cousins. It is our first summer without him and our hearts ache to have him here. It's just not the same.

I'm off to make plans for the day. The forecast calls for rain, mixed with rain, with a slight chance of more rain! Ugh. What are some of your own family traditions?        

Tweet