Gulfarium

On our last full day in Destin we took a trip to the Gulfarium. Boy was it hot! The sun hats I found for you came in handy...except you refused to wear them! I was able to snap this picture right before the hats came off. Good thing the shows were under a covered area. Evan, I caught you in mid-snatch! Ry, you were right behind him buddy! We were on our way to see the dolphin show right before this picture was taken, Unfortunately, Mommy broke the camera right after this pic too. :(

This was a BIG sea lion! His name is Kyle.

You can't go to Florida and not take a picture of an alligator. That would be just plain silly!

This was the end of one of the shows and we were on our way to dinner. We were famished! Ry, Mommy was holding you while this picture was taken. You were hungry and ready to GO! As you can see, Daddy was very serious about keeping you two hydrated!

The next day we packed up and headed back to Alabama. It was a wonderful trip; one that we will never forget. You two had a great time and it was our pleasure to be able to take you. You two are the absolute best. Thanks for being you, Ryan and Evan!

Interuppting Vacation Recap-Letter to say...

today, on two different occasions, Evan took a few unassisted steps! He really wants to walk and has been toying with the idea all last month. He actually took two unassisted steps last Thursday August 5th. Today he just up and did it again. I am soooooooooooo proud of this boy! And his big brother too:)

Days at the Pool

One great thing about the resort is the pool. You could really never leave the resort ans still have a great vacation. These pictures are from your day at the pool. This was your absolute first time! Evan, don't let the shocked look fool you! You loved every minute of it!

Ryan, Evan and and turned back around to get something and when we made it to the pool this is what we saw! You were crawling all around the minute you hit the water.

Since you two loved the water so much we decided to get you these floaters. Can you say

ca-yute! See that pretty little girl between you two? That's Baby A, the Turners' beautiful daughter. She loved the water too!

Ryan had to check and make sure that Evan's float was blown up properly! You are such a great big brother:)

Daddy took you all around in the pool and you couldn't get enough of it! There was a waterfall and lots of kids playing-so much to see. Both of you enjoyed kicking your legs and feet all around. We'll make sure you two learn to swim soon. Don't be like your mama on this one!

But, I was happy to take a picture with the two of you in the shallow part!


We were glad to see that you enjoyed the water so much. Though we won't go out and have a pool installed in the backyard for you, we will make sure we blow up the pool you got for your birthday and let you play in it. Not quite the same thing, but close! :)

Reflection

Something about this picture makes me teary. I think it's because when I took this shot we were leaving the beach and I couldn't help but think about last year this time. Last year my babies were in the hospital; they were feeding and growing, and working on a little thing called breathing. Oh, but this year.

This year our boys played at the beach, splashed in the Gulf, and walked in the sand. They could see and hear and feel. And then they were all tuckered out.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...Mommy?

Before we went to the beach we did a bit of sightseeing. Boy was it hot! We kept you two hydrated and you were good to go! Ms. Curtisha wanted to do something fun; something we would ordinarily do. We noticed the "Zip" attraction.

Now let Mommy tell you, being "zipped," as they call it, is definitely not something I would ordinarily do. But we were on vacation, Ms. Curtisha wanted to try it, and your daddy was convinced that I wouldn't do it.


Here I am--about to be zipped! Was I scared? Ummm...YES! I was fine walking up the long winding staircase to get to the top, but once I was all harnessed and out on the ledge I almost backed out! You see that ledge near the outside of the gate by the guy's hand? That's the ledge you had to walk out on until you were suspended in air! YIKES! Mommy felt like she was walking the plank! But, I looked down at your daddy and the two of you and...

I did it! I got "zipped" from one side of the wharf to the other!

Weeeee.......................

Here is Ms. Curtisha being "zipped!" She even managed to strike a pose as she was going across! LOL :)

I'm telling you guys this because I want you to know that sometimes it's okay to take a chance and try something new. I don't want you two to grow up and be controlled by fear. Trying something new can be a good thing. I want you to have common sense, of course. Just don't do any old thing! BUT, some risks are worth taking. I took a chance and did something new, and it was actually fun. I'm glad I did it. I was afraid at first, but I overcame that fear. Having said that, if I had been too afraid and backed out, that would have been OK too. I also want you to know that it's OK to be afraid sometimes. Sometimes you should be too afraid to do something. Follow your heart...and your gut. Life is beautiful! Live life, my dears, but be smart about it.

Peas at the Beach!

There was the HUGE crisis in the Gulf this year because there was a major oil spill a couple of months ago. We all decided to stick with our beach trip, though. There was no oil! We took a trip to the beach after a day of sightseeing.


Here are the Turners. We had so much fun with them! Your daddy got to hang out with Mr. Jeremie and laugh it up like the always do, and Mommy and Ms. Curtisha had a spa day, went on a shopping trip, and helped each other out so each of us could have 2 baby-free minutes while on vacation:) You fellas had a blast playing (messing!) with baby girl A this year! She's 5 months old now, but the next time we go away together there will be three of you to chase around:)

Here you are playing with Ms. Curtisha in the sand. Evan, look carefully at the look on your face...

You were SO over the beach 5 minutes after we got there! You are like your mama:) The beach is beautiful and all, but sand and babies do not mix! In this picture you look to be saying, "Mommy can we please leave now?"

Ryan on the other hand?! Ry you LOVED the beach. Here your daddy had dug a hole and you were happy to oblige by getting in it...

and standing in it...and eating it...!

Evan, you and Mommy decided to go for a little walk, and it was nice. Here we are right near the shore so we could feel the water on our feet. Just enough for the both of us!

You played with your bucket for a little while.

Ryan, it was impossible to keep the sand out of your mouth! You were giving your mama a heart attack during these shots!

See what I mean? Evan you are NOT a fan of the beach!

Destin, Florida

R & E,

This summer Mommy and Daddy also took you to Destin, Florida as part of our first official family vacation. Destin is a popular get-away vacation spot in the area, and we celebrated our first anniversary there. It was neat to go back in July this year, because not only were we celebrating three years of marriage, but we also had you two:) Your Grandfather William says two boys in two years; not bad!

Here we are in 2008. What a difference a couple of years make!

We at the same resort as our first anniversary trip, The Palms of Destin. It's a really nice resort with all the comforts of home. One of the best parts about staying there this year? We were joined by the Turner family! They have an adorable baby girl, who's actually your Daddy's Goddaughter, and we will have many more joint family vacations in the future!

Here you are one morning, early one morning, enjoying our view from the deck. We were able to slip out there right from our bedroom so we wouldn't the Turner's up. You two are early risers. Erspecially you, Evan:) Even this early in the morning we were greeted by heat, so we didn't stay out too long.

Here is your view from the deck. We'll go back to the Palms again at some point, but we want to show you all kinds of places. We better get your passports ready!

This is the view of our building from the pool. You two LOVED the pool so much!