Sweetest Heart

After working 12 hours I came home to this from my sweet Elle Belle ❤️

She had picked and arranged and even written me a sweet note that said ❤️- Ellie

That girl can just be the sweetest little thing ever.

Navarre Beach 2015

We left the lake and headed straight south until we saw blue.

Our first stop was Joe Patties in Pensacoola to pick up 12 pounds of shrimp... That will tell you what a crowd we had down there :)

Every year for the last 25 years we have been making this trip with my Moms family. Every year seems the same like it's so familiar down there but every year is different. We always talk and fear about what the next year will bring. Who will be there and who will not. Who will have a new baby, who will still be married, who will be able to get off work, who will still be around. The last few years have been very hard and we have had to go one without some very special people but this year was for me the hardest because we had to go on without my sweet Grandaddy. It was like there was a huge void there. I kept thinking I would look up and see him and granny waking down to the beach or come up from the condo and he would be sitting on the couch. The memories that I have of him downthere are so precious to me but also they hurt so bad. 

Every year Granny and Geandaddy always go to Joe Patties and get shrimp for supper... And so true tradition continues. 

And we have a picture to prove it :)

This little girl was not happy about the stop and was ready to get to the beach to see her cousins...

The week was filled with cousins, food, sun and water...

My mom had a new kayak and the girls loved trying it out on the bay..

Matching braids thanks to Aunt Leigh 

We have started every year going to eat at Flounders in Pensacoola...

It is a great outdoor restaurant  and perfect for the kids. The restaurant is built around the playground... How smart is that?!?

More coins pictures...

The end of the week was water was just about as perfect as I have ever seen it. So calm and blue....

We wrapped up the trip with a night of crab  hunting...

Which of course included Princess headlights  :)

I told my mom before we left that at least this year was over and I hope and pray that next all of our family would be there.

4th of July at the Lake

We spent the 4th at the lake this year. Even though the weather was not ideal 4th weather we still managed to have a fun time and inclide some water time fun. 

Cousin Les was there so that was big fun for the girls..

I'm pretty sure Ellie wore him slap out with her constant playing and games.

We enjoyed a hot dog roast and marshmallows and smores. 

We paraded around with flags...

And watched fireworks...

And we were part of the boat parade....

Annie held on for as long as she could... But just couldn't make it to the end....

And we just so happened to win first place in the parade...

I would say that was a pretty good trip... Wouldn't you?!

Playtime

We are loving the newest addition to the Mcwane Center and apparently so is the rest over Birmingham. We met friends there a coupe of weeks ago and the line to get in was unbelievable. We got a time slot for the new part... Which was disappointing because we couldn't stay and play for as long as we wanted too but we still had a great time. 

Ellie and Annie always have a big time playing and catching up with our small group friends.  

Sweet friends. 

Our group riding the giant fish :) 

June / July Birthday Celebrations

The week that we got back from TX we went down to Texas De Brazil to do a little birthday celebration . I always eat too much there and this time was not exception. It is just so good and I don't want to miss out of anything!! 

That is why you see no pictures of me :)

After stuffing ourselves supper we walked up to the top part/ viewing area and took some pictures. It was really neat and had a cool view of the city.

So until next year... I will have my fill of this restaurant 😁

Austin

The day after out anniversary we headed to Austin to celebrate.

It was a long weekend there and we had a great time and were kids free for 3 days thanks to Awmaw, Papaw and Aunt Emi

Matt had a job to check on out there and I had shopping to do :)

Right outside of Austin is the largest outlet mall in the country... 

I told Matt to drop me off at one end and see how far I get. 

Let me tell you I didn't get far in 7 hours. My problem was this store right here. Pottery Barn, Potyery Barn Kids and William Sinoma...3. Hours. That's all I'm going to say about that. 

After shopping and hod checking we headed to Fredericksburg to stay.

It was a cute western town with a major German influence.

We had a great time there. Every place we are was delicious. There was lots to see and lots to do.

We stayed in this little cottage in the Herb Garden...

We visited and partly climbed this HUGE granite formation. 

We visited this wild seed farm...

And of course shopped some more:)

Then we went to Autim to explore ...

On Bikes!!

Ate some awesome food...

Watched and waited for the bats...

Then headed home to see our girls! 

Birthday celebration

A few weeks ago we celebrated Papaws birthday. 

The girls were so excited for the celebration. We made a chocolate cake which was fun and exciting too... As you could imagine with a 2 year of and 5 year old :)

We had a great night with our family that we love and 

celebrating with the Papaw that is so loved by Ellie and Annie!