Family Vacation

We had a wonderful week on the beach in Gulf Shores. The weather was terrific, the food impeccable, and the company outstanding. Here are a few (million) pictures of our trip.

Quinn showed me the mussels that she caught and now she is showing me her muscles!

the boys looked like this for the majority of the vacation...kidding! but they do eat a ton!

green team...is it possible that they are ALL making the same face?

all the guys in a heated game of hearts...Big Daddy was victorious.

Quinn and Katy eat some boiled peanuts..yum!

that big smile that we all love...

We played a little Wii on vacation...

Brad and Big Daddy took Tyndale to the Naval Aviation Museum to see the Blue Angels and all the big planes...he loved it (and I think they did too)!

We were a lot concerned when these guys showed up with head-to-toe haz-mat gear...including helmets...to pick up the 'tar balls' that washed up on the beach. They assured us that everything was fine, and so we went on with the vacation - hope we don't regret that.

So I know it looks like Tyndale is picking his nose in this picture, but I thought it was a great picture of the boys anyway...boys will be boys!

The Boerners at our favorite restaurant, The Tin Top.

Quinn, Violet and Gimmie at the Tin Top

Katy and Michael at the Tin Top...beautiful couple!

Michael, Quinn and Brad at the Tin Top...we realized right after this picture that Quinn and Michael have the exact same eye color...lucky girl!

Big Daddy putting up the flag on the beach cabana.

This was a series of pictures of Brad and Tyndale, and Brad had his eyes closed in every one. Seriously....out of like ten....

Betsy and Gimmie-san preparing sushi.

Katy and the girls coloring pre-dinner.

...and much of the trip looked like this...haha!

Big Daddy and Tyndale saying good morning to the ocean.

A lot of the time on the beach looked just like this! Treasure hunters!

Quinn and her kite

Big Daddy and Gimmie with ALL the grandkids...I think this was the best shot out of about a million...haha!

All the kids in a super bath...fun! We had such a wonderful week and are thankful for an unbelievable family!

dearly beloved...

we are gathered here today for letter "w"....a wedding! Here are some beautiful brides..

and all the fixings for a wedding reception: a wedding cake and a wheelbarrow full of water...(notice all the w's?)
whoppers in wedding favor packages, welch's fruit snacks, whales, wedding cookies....

...all the grooms.....

and the blushing brides...

Quinn and Robert at the beginning of the aisle. She wanted John Patrick to be her groom, but he was a little shy and did not want to participate in the ceremony. Then Quinn had a change of heart and decided that she didn't want to get married quite yet either. They were the only two in the class that felt this way, so we decided that they eloped! Quinn said across the aisle, " I was a little nervous too John Patrick, It's OK. " So sweet!

Noah and Sarah Todd

Jonah and Anna Grace M.

Lily and Quinn

Denise and Quinn

Anna Grace M. and Quinn

Quinn enjoying the wedding reception.

Quinn with John Patrick

R is for.....

RODEO! Quinn's class had a rodeo to celebrate the letter "r." They all brought horses and rode them into the corral for a day-long party!

Tyndale loved picking up the crayons and putting them back into the basket. I am wondering if he will be my organized one??

Tyndale on his "horse."

There were hay bales all around the corral to sit on and Tyndale was not quite sure about the hay!

Lily and Quinn - cowgirl cuties!

This horse was SO real...it moved its head from side to side and blinked its eyes. The kids loved taking turns riding it.

Quinn, Charlie Anne, and Anna Grace....riding a bull.

Pony ride

Here is Anna Grace B, Quinn, Nicole, Anna Grace, Nicole's little brother, and Brant around the campfire.

Will and John Patrick taking turns on the horse.

Quinn, Denise and Charlie Anne.

Lily, Anna Grace B., Denise, and Quinn feeding their horses at the "hitching post."

We had such a fun day at the rodeo. We are so thankful for Mrs. Pam and Mrs. Theresa, who worked so hard to make this day possible. They truly love all their children, and it shows!

On another note, we had a super fun derby party at Josh and Sloane's for the Kentucky Derby this weekend. We all dressed up with fun hats and dresses. There was even some seersucker to be seen on the boys! Quinn picked the winning horse - Super Saver - and won $170!!

the worms are in!

...our vermicomposter, that is! We got a pound of Red Wrigglers in the mail yesterday, and put them into their new home - our vermicomposter. Quinn and Brad have gotten it all ready for them, with newspapers, food scraps, and other various things. They will love it there, and we will love reducing our trash and having organic fertilizer for our plants!