A Visit From Papaw

Papaw and the kids prior to going to the market to pick our pumpkins

Abby and Beau painting paper, then pumpkins Saturday night.

Abby in bed with her friend from school, Betsy Ross (in the red, white and blue dress) - She got to bring her home for the weekend last weekend.

Abby modeling her new outfit.

Close up of the shirt

This weekend we were treated to a visit from Papaw. We have been relatively lazy, mostly just enjoying his company. Toby has had to work a lot, but the kids and I still got to enjoy quite a bit of time with him, and Toby a little bit. Larry braved to greyhound bus ride (20 hours) down so he could see us and pick up Toby's Camry that he bought from us. The kids just love having him around, as do I. We have watched lots of football and the kids have dragged out every toy they own. He is going back tomorrow :( I have to say for Larry that I think he has clocked the most trips down to see us so far! Thanks Papaw!! It always means so much when we get a visits from friends and family. We miss everyone so much - anyone else who has lived away from home knows what I mean on that one!

The kids are doing well. Niki scolded me for not having a first day of school picture for Beau on here. I thought about that, but have totally forgotten to take his picture before MDO. Maybe I will put a belated one on later in the week. He is really enjoying going, and I am not complaining either!! Last week I even got to take a lesson on how to use the monogram machine my mom sent down about 6 months ago! His very first day I went and got a pedicure!! It is amazing having a little kid free time. I feel like I almost forgot what that felt like!

I have been sewing when I can. There are not as many good fabric stores here as there are in Nashville. Boy, do I miss Textile Fabrics! It is very fun to create when I can find the time between wiping noses, reading books, and potty training! My newest addiction is getting bows made at this little shop up the street that are custom to match the outfits. I guess I am going to have to learn how to make bows now...

We have another busy week to look forward to. Abby's big school carnival/fundraiser is Friday evening, and we have a birthday party to go to on Sunday. Maybe Mommy and Daddy can squeeze in a date on Saturday night if we can find a sitter and he doesn't have to work! Until next time...

Orange Beach September 2008

Abby diving in the pool. She is actually doing a flip, but usually lands on her back instead of making it all the way around. She and Austin just love jumping and flipping in over and over again.This is the best of an attempt of getting a picture of the four kids together.

Niki and I before eating at the Oyster House

Me and my little man

Lola checking out the alligator's mouth

Throwing Abby up in the pool - she and Austin also loved doing this over and over

Headed to the beach for pictures

My handsome fellas

Big Pimpin eating his lunch - Go Vols!

She looks so big to me in this picture, and so much like her daddy...

This is a picture of the beach right after we arrived - notice how calm and nice. Pictures from later in the week right before Ike are a little different...

Beau was SO excited - as soon as he saw the beach he took off running, diving into the water, rolling in the sand, etc. Never mind that he was fully dressed...

Troy and Austin - I thought this was a great picture - the water was so calm and clear.

Me plus 3 - this was on our first day out on the beach.

Toby and Troy took Austin and Abby crab hunting one night after dark. They had so much fun and came back with a yellow bucket with about 25 or 30 little crabs. Abby was the only kid who would hold them or pick them up - kind of like the frog, etc.

Austin and Abby on their kick boards trying to ride the waves.

Daddy and Abby flying the kite

Niki and I went out looking for shells the morning after the storm started to come in. This is our loot from the first day - we found more the next day, but I didn't take a picture of them. Niki found a really big, pretty conch shell. It was like taking some kind of drug when you found a pretty one. We didn't want to quit - we wanted to find just one more. We stayed out for over an hour digging in the sand. It was actually a lot of fun, and the kids love all of the neat shells.

Go Titans!

Now notice the waves and the beach. A little different, huh? The waves were so big!! I had never seen the ocean quite like that. There was lots of wind, especially on Thursday. We got one or two 5 minute showers that day, but other than that we could not have asked for better weather.

Toby flying his kite

These two pictures are on our last night - we went out to eat at Lulu's - a restaurant owned and ran by Jimmy Buffet's sister. It had a great atmosphere and lots of stuff for the kids to do.

After we ate we went to ride go-carts. After we rode the first time Beau held up all five fingers and said "one more time" - so of course we went - one more time.

We had a great time at the beach. I finally got a decent amount of sun compared to the last several summers, which was nice. The kids are at least old enough to swim and run around on the beach together and have a good time. Thanks to Troy, Niki, Austin and Lola for meeting us down there and vacationing with us. We miss you all so much and were so happy to get to spend the week somewhere beautiful with you!! It was our first time at Orange Beach and I have to say it was beautiful!! (Sorry for the absolutely obnoxious amount of pictures.)