My Quick Vacation

Vacations are great especially the ones to a beach. It's been three years since our family has gone to the beach or on any vacation for that matter. This year Alex was invited by a friend to go to Myrtle Beach for 2 weeks. Not that Im over protective or anything but I really felt like 2 weeks was a long time for my 13 yearold to be away from us. So I decided to let him go for a week and then I could drive over to get him and stay the weekend, to let Marley play. It would be her first time to the beach. Which I thought sounded like the ideal plan.... until I found out that Chris was on call for work and the band he is in had a show in Atlanta. Sooooo I called my mom and asked if she would like to tag along. The 4 1/2 hr.- 5 hr. drive turned into almost a 7 hr. drive...... with a 2 year old Im sure you can imagine. Finally checked in around 4pm on Friday, and made our way down to the beach. Not knowing how Marley would react going down to the ocean her first time, I didn't put her swim suit on just a sun dress. Well I should have known my sweet girl is not afraid of anything she went right across the sand and into the waves dress and all. 
 This was really a super short trip as said before we checked in at 4pm on Friday and we were checked out by 11am on Sunday. The in between time we spent at the pool, on the beach, at the aquarium, the Ripley's museum, and had dinner at Crabby Mike's. We had a wonderful weekend, but missed Chris bunches! Marley had such a great time, she absolutely loved the water. Hopefully we can make another short trip back to the beach so that Chris can see her in action.




First time on beach playing in the sand.



It's bed time and she is still standing at the door to go back down to the ocean!



Alex at Ripley's Museum

And here is our final vacation picture.... a sail boat that had been achored at sea near our hotel washed ashore during the night. You don't see this everyday......

Mtn. Laural Parade/Festival and Nick's Pre-K Graduation

Whew! Two post already this week, I must be doing better with the blogging world. Really I am  just trying to keep you caught up. Here are a few pictures from the parade and festival. Alex was on float for our churchs youth group, Nick and Nathan were with their little league teams.



Somebody got sleepy waiting for the parade to start

Hanging with Daddy

Great end to a long day- Marley's first icecream cone!


Pre- K graduation. Can't believe how fast this year went by! Nick has grown and learned so much this year, so thankful for the two wonderful teachers he had.

Each class walked in from the back of the gym, Nick does not look please to be here.

Nick is normally outgoing his teacher even stated that he would sing and dance for his entire class! Although during his graduation he stood in the back and was very shy.

Chris and Nick with his diploma. Oh and by the way Nick wants to be a RockStar when he grows up!

Spring Break - Easter & Alex's 13th Birthday

Well I promised a few post back to not get so behind on our family updates, and here I am way behind AGAIN!
Spring Break came and went, Nathan and Nick were able to stay with me the week of spring break. We all had the best time, here is a picture timeline of all the activities from the week.


Somebody got into Mommy's Lipstick!



Watching movies

And then comes a moment when you realize what it was like to be a child. The simple things that make you smile. I remember how fun it was to pick the little white fuzzy flowers and blow all of the seeds away. The way they tickle your nose and get caught in your hair.

Sweet moments like this!

While Nathan ran and found flowers to blow, I was reminded of a sweet group of children living in a tent city in Haiti. On one of the days we walked out into the city, we blew bubbles for them. I was amazed, how the children and adults giggled. They had no idea what bubbles were! Really?? As Americans we take so much for granted- have you ever gave a 2nd thought to bubbles? I bet not, I'm sure you make them at home or run over to the dollar store and grab 1, 2,or 3 bottles. You have probably even given them out at parties or weddings. But to see a child or adult for that matter that has never seen or blown a bubble before, is PRICELESS! And the two pictures above reminded me of just that.


Playing outside getting plenty of fresh country air.

A Caterpillar nest the kids found! We watched it for many days, I couldn't believe how many came out of it.

Our Blueberry bushes, can't wait until they are all ripe.



Movie day and Story time

Resting with Bella- Hope Daddy doesn't see this. Bella being on the couch is a big NO NO!

Easter morning before church

Marley playing with her cousins

Chris's Granny had her 75th Birthday this year and it fell on Easter! What a special day for her. We had an egg hunt, dinner and cake.

Here is Granny with her grandchildren, their spouses, and her great grandchildren.

I come to an end on this post with sadness and excitement! My firstborn had his 13th birthday- a teenager really? It's seems like only yesterday I was holding you in my arms and now you can almost pick me up.

Alex,

You will always be my baby. You are my first! The one who taught me how to love like no other love. Who I watched grow from a beautiful 8lb. 4oz. 21in long baby boy to a handsome 13 year old, and who helped me grow into the mother I am today.  You are smart, talented, and I am so proud of you. I love you more than you will ever know. "I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be"
I can't wait to see the man you will grow into.

Love,

Mom