Panama City Beach, July 2012

This past weekend we took a family trip to Panama City Beach to visit dad. Since Aunt Cheryl's birthday was on Sat. we thought it would be cool present to invite her along. Dad has bought at 32 foot RV that we stayed in at the shop. It was kind of close courtiers at night but it was nice to save the hotel money. And with staying at the shop we had 2 extra bathrooms so that was nice too! We drove down Thursday night and got in late. Friday morning dad made breakfast and then we went to Anderson State park to go swimming in the lagoon. We had heard that the beach had a double red flag so we wouldn't of been able to get in the water there so we went some where we could. We were there for a few hours and then left for lunch.  It was a cloudy day but the rain held off ( I decided since it was cloudy not to put on sun screen, that was a bad decision, I got so burned, it was horrible!). Then Friday night we went and walked on the beach and let Aly collect some sea shells.  

Dad had planned a deep sea fishing trip for him and JV on Sat. morning. They had some issues with the boat so they got a late start but by lunch it was all worth it. They caught 10 huge grouper fish that they brought back and JV caught a very large Amber Jack (they did have to throw that one back because you couldn't keep them till Aug. 1). It was a great 1st trip deep sea fishing for JV. While they were doing that Aunt Cheryl and I took Aly to Shipwreck Island water park. Lisa, who works with dad was able to get us free tickets which made it even better. We all had a really good time. Aly played on the slides and in the wave pool and Aunt Cheryl and I had a blast watching her have fun.  We left there around 2:00 and went to J. Michaels to have Aunt Cheryl's birthday lunch and took lunch back for the guys.

Since everyone was so tired after the busy morning we took naps and then later went to Pier Park. Aly and JV rode the farris wheel. I couldn't believe she rode it but she did and loved it. We rode the Merry go round twice. We were having fun making faces at Aunt Cheryl and Dad as we went by. Then Sunday morning we went and got breakfast and then headed home. It was a quick trip but a good one. We are looking forward to going back soon and doing some other things that we didn't have time to this time!!!

 JV and Aly on the ferris Wheel

 Breakfast Sunday Morning

JV"s Amber Jack

Aly's 3rd Birthday Party

Aly’s 3^rd Birthday Party

July 7, 2012

Whew, what a day!!! In the words of Aly “This is the best day Ever!!!”  We had Aly’s 3^rd birthday party at the house on Sat. the 7^th!!! It was such a great day.  Since we have done so much work to the back yard we thought Aly’s party would be a good time to show it off so we decided to have the party at our house this year. We knew it would be really hot so we set up a small pool and waterslide in the back yard for the kids and the tent outside for the adults. We didn’t however know it would be close to 100 degrees, so that put a few kinks in our plan with everyone wanting to stay inside out of the heat. But it was still a great time. It was mostly family and a few close friends and there kiddos. 

            Aly chose to have a Dora birthday party. This year JV and I decided to get her a swing set and slide for the back yard. We had some help from John and Alice and from Dad, John, Jason and Brett putting it together. Dad and JV got started putting it together about 8:00am and got a good bit done and Brett, Jason, John and Austin came over about 11:00 to help finish it up. It took a long time to get it up but they did!!! Aly spent the night at Shannon’s house on Friday so we could get everything ready and together without her seeing it. We wanted the swing set to be a surprise and it was.  Everyone gathered outside before she came out so we could all see her reaction. She was SO excited. She saw it, pointed and took off running.  The slide was hot from being in the sun so she didn’t want to go down it at first but later on she did. Her and her friends spent a lot of time in the pools and on the slip n slide.

            We grilled out hotdogs and had a Dora cake and ice cream. It was an exhausting day but a ton of fun. Aly got some awesome presents: some games, clothes, lots of bags and shoes, bath toys and Dora stuff galore!!! I think by Sunday afternoon we had played with everything for a least a few minutes!!

            Ryan, Erica, Matt and Shannon and there kids stayed later after most everyone had left and then the kids got back in the pool later on that evening. About 9:30pm they had had enough and were ready to come in. We put them in our room on the bed and all 5 of them were watching Dora together. It gave the adults some time to relax too!!! Aly has said a few times that the swing and the party was “the best day ever!!” so I think we succeeded in giving her a great birthday and that makes us all very very Happy!!! Its so much fun to her smiling and happy, makes it all worth it!!!

            We want to say a big THANK YOU for all the help with everything. To the guys for helping put the swing set together in the heat, Shannon for keeping Aly over night and for everyone’s help and presents making Aly’s birthday so great!!! We are so lucky to have the great family and friends we do!!!

Jennifer and Matt's Wedding

Jennifer and Matt’s Wedding

April 22, 2012

Jennifer is one of my oldest and best friends and we were so lucky to get to share her wedding day with her. She asked me if I would be a bridesmaid and if Aly would be her flower girl.  Aly was so excited. We had the rehearsal dinner on Sat. night at Matt’s parent’s lake house. It was a lot of fun. Aly was of course he adorable, charming self and had to be the center of attention. She was so well behaved.

Sunday was the wedding and JV dropped her off at the Georgia club with me a little bit before to get her dressed and do some pictures. She was such a trooper the whole day. Her dress was a little heavy so she was pulling on it a lot but we still got some great pictures.

We were pretty worried that she would get scared seeing all those people looking at her and not walk down the aisle or throw her flowers. So the night before I put some socks together and had her practice throwing them out of a basket and she did great, but the day of she was not interested in throwing those flowers. She did walk down the aisle with a little help and was so cute but she didn’t want to throw those flowers. Matt’s mom was trying to help her toss them and she said “oh no my flowers” and tried to pick them up. It was so cute. She sat with JV through the ceremony and then walked back down the aisle. She did so great.

She again was the life of the dance floor during the reception and was dancing to every song with everyone!!! It was so cute. 

We were so happy to share this day with Jennifer and Matt and wish them nothing but the best!!!