Girls' Beach Trip

OK, so I totally stole these pictures from the Pittman's blog, because I was a terrible blogger/friend when I didn't even take ONE picture on our latest girls' trip! I was too busy laughing, beaching, drinking, eating, laughing, talking....did I mention laughing? Oh, and I also read Twilight in about 48 hours...can't wait to crack into New Moon tonight. We had TOO much fun, and I hope to post more pics when I get them from my responsible friends....haha.

Kanuga Part 3

We returned to North Carolina for the second summer in a row to go to Kanuga. We were so excited to find that we were able to stay in a two-bedroom cottage this year...and we loved it! It was built in 1909. We felt like we were in a bird's nest because it was high up in the trees, and it was set back in the woods so it stayed cool all day long. Here is a picture of Quinn and Tyndale in front of our cottage.




Our cottage had an antique clawfoot tub that the kids had many fun baths in after hikes or evenings in the lake.

Here is a picture of Sliding Rock. We visited and watched the people sliding, but it seemed to be an activity for when the children get a bit older. And Brad and I also need some time in order to get our redneck outfits put together...I'm thinking a bikini top and cutoff jeans..... (would fit in just fine here!)

Here is Quinn at the Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah. You might also notice her lightning bug necklace...a real gem that we found. We filled it up with lightning bugs each night and they were her nightlight. Then they were released in the morning, of course!

Kanuga Part 2

Here are Quinn and Tyndale at a place called Poppies in Brevard. It has a delicious cafe, a whole-foods type grocery store, a garden center, and the entire second floor is stocked with natural products (lotions, sunscreens, shampoos, vitamins, supplements, etc....I was in heaven!)



Here we are on a hike in the Pisgah area.

















This picture is for Aunt Lindy...I wanted her to know that we studied about constructed wetlands on our vacation!



This is a picture of us feeding the hatchling trout at the Wildlife Center. Here they breed trout to restock the streams in NC. There were so many in there that you can see their fins sticking out of the water!

Kate, Madeline, and Quinn had a ball at the street dance.

Kanuga Part 1

Tyndale getting ready to hike and learn about hatchling trout at the Pisgah Wildlife Center.

One of the rainy mornings...it has been so long since we have had rain in Mississippi, we enjoyed this!

Quinn near one of the beautiful waterfalls. I think she wanted to go swimming near this one...yeah, right!

Brad and Tyndale ready to hike near our precious cottage...we LOVED it!

My Fourth of July cuties! We celebrated at Kanuga with a wine and cheese and fireworks over the lake.

Beach Trip to Gulf Shores

We had a wonderful time in Gulf Shores for our family trip...I had to post several times to include all the pictures that I wanted to include. One of our favorite times on the beach was the sunset/cocktail hour, so many of these pictures are from those times. We did spend a lot of time on the beach during the day too...one day Noel found a pool of water that had been left behind by the sinking tide, and it was FULL of little fish. The kids had such fun saving all the fish by filling their buckets with fish and dumping them in the ocean surf. Noel said that they worked VERY hard, and probably saved over a thousand little fish!

Beach Trip Part 1

We spent so much time on the beach...even Tyndale loved it!

Beach Trip Part 2

We had so many beach activities to pick from: sea kayaking, sand castle building, wave riding, swimming, and much more. The big kids even built a "Tyndale habitat," a little pool with water in it under the tent, so that he could enjoy the beach time too.

We took a sunset trip to the lagoon to free a trout that we noticed was caught in a crab trap...it was a success!

Brad and Tyndale flying a Blue Angel jet. We spent a fun morning at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola.

Here is Meme having a spa afternoon with all the girls...they all got pedicures and manicures. Ooh La La!

Beach Trip Part 3

A Jeep ride to The Track for arcades and prizes and then Lulu's for a snow ball....yum! Dinner at The Tin Top Restaurant in Bon Secour, one of Brad and my favorite places. We encouraged the entire family to go there, and then we were met by 100 degree heat at our outside table, glaring sun, biting flies, and picnic tables with no back support....but when the food came....it was ALL good! We were happy that everyone enjoyed it despite the drawbacks. This last picture is after a long day of beaching and pool-ing....resting in the bed watching tv...or "nuggling," as Kate calls it!

Everyone loves Harley!

Michael and Katy came down for a visit (and delicious seafood) and brought Harley with them, much to the delight of Quinn and Tyndale....poor thing! She managed to live through all of the "love," and I'm sure that she will look forward to the next visit.

Lucy's 4th

Quinn and I had such a fun time at her friend Lucy's 4th bday party. She had a Fancy Nancy theme, and her mom Jenny went ALL OUT! It was precious!! She had manicures, a boutique shop where they could get boas, lip gloss, and some candy jewels. The girls made bracelets and then had a visit from Fancy Nancy herself. They also had delicious food and "tea" served to them by Lucy's brother and friend...dressed as waiters, of course! Then they followed that all up by having cake and parfaits...what an "elegant" party, as Nancy would say!

You can call me a flower if you want to......

I LOVE this picture....even though Brad thinks it looks "girly"...haha! This is the look Tyndale gives when he is shy and I think it is darling!! Had to share....

impromptu beach trip

We had a very exciting weekend in Gulf Shores. Quinn, Tyndale and I were on our way out the door to go to the Country Club on Friday morning, and Brad called to say that we were going to head to the beach instead! So we kept our bathing suits on and packed up for the trip. We had perfect weather, a perfect beach, a perfect house and the perfect company! It could not have been a better introduction to the fun summer ahead.