Spring Break in Florida

We just got home from a wonderful trip to Florida. We decided to go to Pensacola for a quick trip and it was a last minute decision, but we are so glad we made the trip.

We left Wednesday after work and drove for about 5 hours. We got a hotel for the night on the border of Arkansas and Mississippi and crashed for the night.

The next morning we hit the road again and we drove until we arrived in Pensacola at the Harber's house around 3 pm. The Harbers were busy with after school activities so we headed directly to the beach. We played in the surf and dug in the sand and then I snapped a few family pictures.

I absolutely love beach pictures and my family kindly indulged me again.

This right here.. my whole world. I love my people so dang much. 

Also, I couldn't get enough of this boy in his overalls. 

And he couldn't get enough sand. He loved it. He tried to eat it by the handful. 

And this girl, she whipped around and posed for this picture without a problem. 

Tucker's poses always crack me up but this one is just about on-point for his personality.
Seriously though, his hands in his pockets kind of kill me!

And last but not least, Tanner boy. 

We had to hold Benson a lot because otherwise he would just shovel sand into his mouth.

Oh and here are a few pictures of just the kids. 

We managed to get one family picture after the sun started to drop. It was incredibly hard to get a picture this time of night because the sun was just at the right level to be in our eyes. The kids were struggling to smile, but then it started to drop and we snagged this gem. 

After pictures, we went back to the Harber's house for dinner.

We ate and put the kids to bed. However, in the middle of the night, Bailey threw up. She made it to the toilet but still, it wasn't the way we wanted to start our vacation. 

So the next morning I told Adrian that we were leaving so we wouldn't get their family sick.

I hoped that Bailey was just sick from being in the car, eating junk food and traveling for two days, but I couldn't be sure.

So we packed our stuff and sadly left the Harber house. Chris was able to book us a room at the Pensacola Naval base.

However, we had booked tickets at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, so we headed there first.

Bailey was feeling fine when we left the Harbers so we decided to risk it. 

We drove over to Destin and by 11:30 am we were at the Gulfarium and ready to play. 

Our first stop was the dolphin show. We had reserved a ticket for Bailey to do a dolphin interaction. She was so excited and so we were glad she was feeling well enough to do it.

Check out this view! Right on the beach, so beautiful!

The kids couldn't wait for the show to start. They had never seen dolphins before. 

This little guy just sat on Daddy's lap and charmed everyone around him. 

The kids loved the show. It was so fun.

Tucker was seriously shocked to see the dolphins jumping and skipping across the water. 

They came pretty close to us and even splashed us a few times. 

The kids were completely enthralled with the show. It was so fun!!

Then Bailey got to go meet the dolphins. She was so nervous and excited. It was adorable. 

The dolphin she met was named Sebastian. 

She got to touch and pet Sebastian. 

She helped the trainer count his teeth

She was in dolphin heaven. 

She got to touch his fin and we learned that every dolphin's fin is different, just like our fingerprints. 

Then she got to feed the dolphin a little fish. She carefully tossed it into Sebastian's mouth. 

It's safe to say that we were big fans of the dolphin show. 

After the dolphin show, we explored the aquarium area. Tanner and Bailey are both pretty good little readers, so they enjoyed learning about the different fish in the tanks. 

Next we went over to the sting ray tank. These sting rays grow as long 6 feet

Tanner and Bailey loved this parrot. They each took turns holding it on their arms. So cool. 

We explored a little more before heading over to the sea lion show. This show was so cute. 

Then we saw the turtles and visited the touch tank. 

The kids loved the touch tanks. They were full of cool things but the kids loved the star fish best. 

Also, how cute are these penguins? Tuck really loved them 

We had so much fun at the Gulfarium and we are so relieved that Bailey was feeling good.

After we finished with all our fun there, we found some delicious seafood.

We all enjoyed  the food, even little Bensy boy. 

We drove back to Pensacola after lunch and checked into our room on base. We were thrilled to find out that our room faced the beach. It was so beautiful. The naval lodging reminded us a lot of our time at Fort Lee, but with a view of the beach.

Also, right outside our room were palm trees with hammocks hanging everywhere. It was the perfect spot for us.

We checked into our rooms and then went straight out to the beach. 

Tucker and Tanner couldn't wait to start digging in the sand. 

Seriously, this face? I can't even..

Bailey really wanted to build a sandcastle. So I helped her work on that for a while. 

Then she decided she wanted me to bury her in the sand. 

Tucker thought that was a great idea and so I buried him too. 

Benson was a big fan of the beach. 

The next morning was Saturday and our last official day in Florida. We decided to make the most of it. We grabbed breakfast at the lodge and then Dad took the kids on a little adventure while I packed up our bag for the day. The kids loved their adventure with Dad. They followed this little path of rocks until they reached the beach. Oh and they all loved the hammocks. It was so cute. I wish I would have gotten a picture of the kids in the hammocks- it was so fun. 

Then we went to explore the Naval Aviation Museum. We had visited once before, years ago, but the kids wanted to go again, so we did.

It was fun to see the Blue Angels up close and personal.

Then we went into the museum and explored.

The kids loved all the retired cockpits. They climbed in and out of them and had the best time.

How cute is this little Maverick? 

Benson, true to form, was happy being along for the ride. 

Next we took the kids over to do a flight simulation. They loved it. 

I could literally hear the kids laughing for 10 feet away and outside the plane. 

Here are the little pilots after the simulation.

They loved it so much!

After exploring at the museum, we headed over to the beach to meet up with the Harbers. Since Bailey wasn't sick anymore, we figured it was safe. We had the best time. 

Bailey immediately grabbed her boogie board and hit the water. 

Tucker was totally content chasing waves and digging in the dirt.
I'm pretty sure Tucker is happiest at the beach. He never stops smiling. 

And how cute is this boy? I just love him in his sunglasses. 

Benson loves his Daddy. I think he loves him as much or more than he loves me- which is saying a lot. Chris and Benson have a special little bond and its precious!

Tanner also boogie boarded for a while. He was so cute out there. 

Benson enjoyed watching the older kids play in the water. He didn't have much interest in getting wet, but he loved sitting in the sand. 

I adore this freckle face kid. He had the best time flying his kite around the beach. 

After spending most our day at the beach, we went to "Jo Patti's Fresh Fish Market". We've been dying to go here for years, but we finally found the time for it.
Tanner had been begging for crab legs since we arrived in Florida and we hadn't had much luck finding any. He was so excited when we found some at this market. 

So we grabbed crab legs and some shrimp and had them steamed and seasoned. 

There was a little deli attached to the market and they gave the kids free gelato samples.

The kids were in heaven!

 

We had a little picnic outside the market and it was perfect. 

Don't you love this boy and his happy crab smile!

Tucker loves crab but only when I help him crack and peel it. Lol. 

After dinner we met up with Adrian and her family for ice cream. 

Between Adrian and I, we have 9 kids- you can imagine how crazy life is when we are together. 

This was the perfect way to end our beach trip.

We had so much fun and we can't wait to go back. Beach vacations are my absolute favorite.

Now that we know we can stay on base, we can go back again even after the Harber family moves.
It was such a great spring break and it was so hard to come back to reality. 

St. Patrick's Day Fun

Happy St. Patrick's day!

 St. Patrick's day fell on a Saturday this year and that was so nice. No, pre-school rush or anything. Just a relaxed morning together. The kids woke up to find this set up with gifts from the leprechaun.
The kids cleaned the house on Friday night so that the leprechaun could visit and bring treats as opposed to playing tricks on us and making more messes.
They were thrilled to find their treats. 

Look at all these lucky little faces!

We had lucky green pancakes for breakfast and then just hung out the rest of the day. 

Love this boy!

I love my happy go lucky kids!

31 Acts of Birthday Kindness

I was blessed to spend my entire birthday with my wonderful family. Tucker, Benson and I spent the morning doing acts of kindness  for others. We delivered a freezer meal, wrote kind notes to others, we mailed letters of encouragement. We left a kind note for the mailman and change in vending machines at the store. It was so fun!

Then Aunt Sarah and Aunt Julieta came over and hung out with us. Aunt Sarah brought us some sushi. 

When the kids got home from school we did more service. My goal was 31 acts of Birthday kindness and we were able to complete them all. Most of the acts of kindness were small but we worked hard together and I feel like it made the day so special. 

When Dad got home he made a delicious seafood dinner for us and he even got me a birthday cake. 

Tucker did attempt to blow out my candles again but I beat him to it. 

It was a wonderful birthday and I feel so blessed. It was great to spend the day giving back!

Dr. Seuss Celebration Week at ETE

The best day of any spirit week or any celebration week is always the last day. This week was no different. We just finished celebrating Dr. Seuss birthday with a whole week of themed dress up days.
Dressing up two kids each day in special outfits and hair styles is exhausting, but the kids LOVED it! I was just relieved that Tanner wanted to participate this year. Last year, some kids made fun of him at Sugar Creek Elementary and he didn't want to dress up anymore for spirit week. It was so sad. Kids can be mean. Luckily, everyone at Elm Tree Elementary participates in spirit week so everyone looks silly together. Each day during Dr. Seuss week was themed around a different Dr. Seuss book.  

Monday was "Oh, the places you'll go" and the kids all wore clothing representing their favorite college. Obviously, Bailey and Tanner were rep'ing U of A in RAZORBACK RED. 

Tuesday- "Fox in Socks" day and the kids wore crazy socks. 

Wednesday- "Wacky Wednesday" and the kids got to have crazy/wacky hair day.
Tanner loved his blue hair and Bailey's hair was super fun to fix. You can't really see the pink in her hair from the front, but you can see more of it from the back. 

Then on Thursday it was dress like your favorite Dr. Seuss character day. 

The kids went as "Thing 1 & Thing 2". 

However, it was also "Muffins with Mom" and book fair morning. So it was quite the busy morning. I left for school early with the kids so we could go to "Muffins with Mom". 

Then after we ate our muffins, we went to the book fair and both kids picked out a new book.
Books are one thing that I don't mind buying typically. I know the kids will read them over and over again and I love their love for reading. It was fun to see what they picked out. 

Then finally today, Friday, was the last day of Dr. Seuss week and it was themed around "Cat in the Hat" and all the kids got to wear their favorite hat. 

Yay for Dr. Seuss and all the fun books he wrote that have blessed the world. 

I'm so glad the week of dressing up is over, but I'm glad the kids wanted to participate. 

It was fun to see their excitement and enthusiasm each day. 

Fun in Mtn. Home

The kids and I drove to Mtn. Home for the weekend on Friday. Daddy had drill in Little Rock so he couldn't come, but we had a good time without him. 

We arrived in Mtn. Home just in time for some outdoor laser gun wars. The kids had a blast battling it out with Papa and with their cousins. 

I love this one of Papa and Tanner shooting at each other

Tucker hated getting shot but loving shooting everyone else. 

Tanner took it all very seriously. lol. Look at that face.

After the epic laser gun battle, the kids went to bed and the adults were able to chat and visit until we were all to tired to move. 

The next morning, Papa and Benson spent some quality time together with the "Johnny Jump Up". This is the same one that Papa bought for Tanner when he was a baby. It's held up pretty well. 

That afternoon we threw a big 30th birthday for Aunt Julieta. She was totally surprised and it was so fun to get to celebrate our favorite Mexican.

We did a cactus theme and it was so cute. I really love how it came together and so did she.

She was so appreciative.

We partied hard and then I got my kids ready for bed.

That night the adults stayed up late playing "Catch Phrase" and laughing so hard together. It was so fun. Julieta loves playing "Catch Phrase" so this was the perfect way to end her party.

Sunday morning we went to church with Nanny and Papa. I just love all these cute little faces.

They are my favorite little people.

After church we let the kids pop all the balloons from the balloon garland and they loved it.

I love this picture of all the kids running at the balloons.

And this one of Tucker in mid-air- love it. They had a blast!

It was the perfect way to end our time at Nanny and Papa's house. 

We headed home after this and got home in time for bedtime.

I look forward to our summer visits when we don't have to race home for school the next day.

It was such a great visit! Happy Birthday to Aunt Julieta!