Vacation-Part 1...

We headed out for our first family vacation last Wednesday. My mom, Dane and myself drove 22 hours down to Gulf Shores Alabama where my family of 26 would all be gathering. We are celebrating my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary with a week of sun and family fun. (Ross flew down Saturday and met us)

The drive was not fun for me. Well, my company was fun and enjoyable, my body did not cooperate. With 3 weeks left of my pregnancy, the little guy inside was not too happy to be spending that many hours sitting. He made some problems for my back, but what's new.

Ava and Dane

We left Wednesday evening and made it to Grenada Mississippi by noon on Thursday. Only 6 hours left to our final destination. We enjoyed a great stay in Grenada where my brother, s-i-l, and their brood of 3 met us. We played in the pool and ate lots of pizza.

After we arrived at the gulf, we went straight to the beach. Dane loved the sand but not the sound of the waves. He kept saying it was loud.

Dane in between his 2nd cousins Isabel and Megan

We tried heading down again, but again, it was too loud. Man.

Most of the guys went shark fishing one night. Here's the boat they went on.

Dead tuna used as bait for the sharks.

The crew of fishermen-My Grandpa, Jeff (my step-dad), b-i-l Ben, brother Eric and super cute hubby Ross.

Ross on the scale.

Our large group gathered for dinner at the Original Oyster House. Outside there were a few fun
things for the kids. Here are Dane and Hunter. Such a cute alligator and lobster.

This was also the day of my grandma's 73rd birthday. Happy Birthday Grams!
(With all of the kids running amok, it was too hard to get a group picture)

Here are my grandparents and all of their grandchildren and spouses, along with the 5 great grandchildren.

And here are the grandparents with their children and spouses.



Dane's two year molars decided to make an appearance as we entered the first few days of vacation. Of course, they like to pop in and out. Needless to say, it's been an up and down few days. Poor buddy.

After dinner, the whole gang went to the "Track." The place is pretty cool. Go karts, bumper boats, kiddie rides, and more.

This is Dane on the train ride. It was pretty lame and I think he realized that about halfway around. Can't you see the excitement on his face??

It's really hard to tell, but this is Dane and Daddy getting ready to take off in the go kart.
Dane kept asking for more...

Bumper boats with Grandma.

Ross looks a bit funny here, but Dane loved being up on his Dad's shoulders.

I love, love seeing my two guys together. It's crazy to think in just a week, I'll have 3 guys.

Dane and Megan checking things out.

Ben, Ross and Jeff doing the sky ride. They were nuts. It looked terrifying.

One last ride before heading back to the resort. I thought he was too small for these swings, but he proved me wrong yet again.

The happy family on a ferry to Dauphin Island. This was our first time doing something like this and it was pretty great. Too bad Dane's teeth chose to pop in that day.

Some of the ladies and Hunter.

Dane with the girls.
He's such a ladies man.

Enjoying a sucker with cousin Hannah.

Well, that's all for now. I will update again when we get back. It's hard to believe we leave on Saturday and head back to reality. Boo.

Good Times

Sunday was such a beautiful day! We went to the "big park" as Dane calls it. Dane ran all over the place with Daddy while Mommy sat her big butt on the bench. What a 'funday' on Sunday!
Ha ha! I.A.H!

Dane is totally obsessed with everything these days (as I continue to blog). But one thing that has remained a constant obsession is cranes. He loved doing this.

Right below where Dane is standing, is a rock type climbing wall. Dane is seriously an amazing climber and climbed over and over.

I love, love, love this picture because Dane had to do exactly what his Dad did. Down to the hat being backwards. These two melt my heart.

Swinging is so much better when Daddy does it too.

And finally I had to add a shot of the two BFF's. They are so cute together. Look at their sweet faces. Erin and I got together with the kids one last time before the big vacation tomorrow. We sure will miss our Skooges while we're gone. Thanks for the big fun today, you two. See you soon...

Whoa, Splash Park!

What a fun day Dane and I shared with our good buddies Erin and Celia! We went to the Splash Park, all the way up in Princeton and enjoyed a great day splashing, picnicking and playing. We feel so lucky to share many of our fun days with the Skooges.

This is the one and only picture I could get of the both of them standing still and looking at me.

This little fountain on the ground was a huge hit for both Dane and Celia.

But the favorite had to be the ring of sprinklers. In and out, over and over. As a mom, there isn't anything that gives me more pleasure than to see my little guy smile and giggle with joy. It definitely reminds me of what's truly important in life.

After the fountain fun, we headed to the park right next door. It was a great way to tire the kids out just a bit more before heading (all the way) home.

We ended our evening at my mom's. Dane is obsessed with glasses and I caught him putting on Grandma's. He is so darn funny...