Day 1: Rosemary

Before leaving Prattville – I got up and had an amazing run along the golf course (it was 81 degrees and felt like 65 to me!).  It was GORGEOUS.  A grounds keeper even brought me a bottle of water!

The kids were so happy to be in a hotel – that they probably would have been ok if we would have stayed there!  But, not Mommy – so we headed out on the 3 1/2 hour drive.

Only to almost have to stop our drive.  My car kept “skipping” and sounded like it my die.  So we pulled over and checked under the hood (literally all of us except me and the kids).  With no explanation – we “rolled the dice” and pushed on.  Beach or bust was our moto.

And thank goodness we did because around noon – we were “home.”  And what a home we’d chosen.  Luv.  Luv.  Luv.

We hit Hot Dog Man Du for lunch; put the kids down for naps; and RAN to the beach (Pops & J-J took 1st nap duty)!

I forgot my camera (swear this will be the last time) – so crappy iphone photos was all I had.

Our house is right across the street from my favorite pool in Rosemary.  Felt amazing!

We got the call the kids were up and RAN to get them.  They were so excited!

Con was the first to try out our outdoor shower!

After cleaning up – Bo and J-J took the kids to Barrett Square for some golfing.  Pops and I got din started and then I headed to meet them.  I rode the bike that came with our house!  So. Much. Fun!

Love Crawford “racing” Con to the fountain!

I’m not thinking the LPGA is in Con’s future.

Felt so good to have all of my family under one roof enjoying cold drinks, great food and amazing company.  I cooked up the baked fontina (addictive!).

How lucky are my kids to have both sets of grandparents to spoil them rotten!  The granddad’s

Our house is 3 stories – looked up and this is what Con was doing!  Note to self…!!!

Pops cooked up shrimp-n-the-pot!

We have a HUGE dining room table that can hold us all.  My dream!

Con claimed her spot in the house.

Speakers are wired throughout – so the grand mother’s taught us how to do the “push!”

What MUST you do on your first night at the beach?  Go crabbing.  I had the nets; Babe had the huge flashlights.  Still not sure what the kids were more excited about!

Crawford made us promise we’d build one of these.

While Crawford should have been getting his jammies on…he found Matt and I tucked away in one of the many secluded spots on the property.

Love that the pic above is the last one of a busy, busy, fun, fun day!  I am so blessed to be in this amazing place with my amazing family!

On the Road!

We left this morning around 6:00 – destination Prattville, AL (approx – 9 1/2 hours away). The car literally was packed all of the way to the top. J-J and Sue-Sue followed behind us.

The kids were so excited to wear their new headphones!

First stop – Russellville. Why is it so much fun to eat in the car. Love Con’s set up with her lap desk.

Second stop – West Memphis to meet Babe, Pops and Uncle Matt.

Con couldn’t make it to the third stop before she conked out! We stopped in New Albany, MS for lunch.

Thanks to Kyle and Amanda for scouting out Prattville for us. GREAT place to stop right outside of Montgomery.

Crawford was so excited to check out the golf course.

There was even a Bass Pro.

Con looks so much like me in the pic below. I had a coon skin hat growing up. Wish I could find the pic!

Bo and I thought the grandparents would keep the kids and we could go grab a bite. They turned the tables on us – the 4 of them went out to eat Matt was nice enough to watch the kids while Bo and I went and picked up our to-go order! Destination tomorrow – Rosemary Beach.

Happy 35th to Me!

I’m still a bit shell shocked – but today I turned 35!  I really don’t “mind” birthday’s –but today I just didn’t feel like celebrating.  All I wanted to do was pack and get ready to go to Rosemary.

The kids helped a ton.  Here’s Crawford watering our redneck tomato plant.

But my family and friends had other ideas.  All day people called, popped by and facebooked to send me birthday wishes.  I’m telling you a birthday on facebook will remind you just how many people are your “true” friends!

Well  - my hubby is amazing and he planned a “surprise” party for me!  Thank goodness it was just our family because my house is a wreck and I hadn’t showered!   After 16 years – he knows for sure that sunflowers always work and a cake from Rick’s with sunflowers – a surefire winner!

The kids wouldn’t have believed it was my birthday if there wasn’t a cake!  They loved every last bite!

So there are a few more lines in my forehead than I would like – but honestly – I couldn’t dream of a more happy place to be in my life.  I am so blessed to have the most amazing husband and a wonderful family.  Here’s to the next amazing 35 years and growing old with the man I’m still crazy about and the kids that I adore!!!!

Thanks to all of my family and friends.  Love you all!

Treasure Chest

We are leaving on a 14 hour road trip on Friday – so today’s mission was to stock a treasure chest full of goodies that is guaranteed to prevent all melt downs.  After a full morning of trips to:  the bank, Walgreens, Dollar General (don’t judge amazing coloring books and markers for dirt cheap), haircuts, Hastings, Sue-Sue’s, Best Sports and the mall – I think we are all set.  The kids were so excited.  In the past I haven’t shown them what’s in the treasure chest.  But, now that they are older – I thought the bribe factor was worth it.  So – they know what’s in there and they know that they have to be good to get it…so wish us luck!

Speaking of treasures – my b-day isn’t till Friday – but everyone keeps giving me my gifts early.  Not that I’m arguing

Sick!

This morning – Con woke up with no fever – so of course off to school we went.  Flash to me leaving for lunch…picking up my phone..only to have missed calls and texts from school!  Con apparently had a super high temp; got lethargic; really gave her teacher a scare.  Now flash back with me to July 4th and Crawford’s ER visit – I was TERRIFIED she’d start doing what he did.

So – rushed to get her and make a doctor’s appointment…for 4:20.  Don’t judge – I’m going to be out of the office next week on vacay – needed all of the time I could get.  Sue-Sue to the rescue.

When I got her home she really was registering 103.9!

Per our doc – the stomach bug is going around and this strain brings SUPER high temps.  So $25 later – I was told to keep doing what I was doing (fluids and rotating Tylenol and Motrin) and that she should be better by Wednesday (tends to run 5 days).  Also was told she “might” get a rash – but that we should be beach ready by Saturday!  So – please pray that Con gets better – and that Crawford doesn’t get it.  I’m so excited about this vacay – would be crushed if they didn’t feel well!