Beach Time is the Best Time!

After a few days in Georgia, we headed south to the beach in Alabama.  We had the most wonderful family time!  Our 4 days were full of sand castles, ocean waves, good food, laughs, and good conversations.  There were meltdowns, messes, and grocery trips in those days too but the good moments were worth it!

Crab hunting!! The kids loved crab hunting... I think they caught a total of 13 crabs one night. 

 

 

 
 

 

 Ice cream night!

 

Good morning on the porch!

Naps on the beach are the greatest...the waves would just put this boy to sleep. 

 I snapped this pic after Harper got a comb to her hair.  Ugh.  Girl, sorry, you won't ever be able to brush your hair like your straight hair friends.  
 

The Calvert kids dab! Ha! 

We finally stopped at a McDonald's for lunch...first time at a McDonald's in a long time.  Carson and Harper were both so excited about a Happy Meal toy.  Then the unthinkable happened.  All 4 kids got a girl toy in their happy meal.  And then it was like Mt St Helens erupted in Carson's head.  He lost it!  We had to go on walks and get him to chill out.  He eventually settled down...although we are all still scarred from the breakdown.  And Harper was ecstatic that she ended up with FIVE girl Happy Meal toys (from my kids meal too). 

 It was a great trip! Memories!! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Road Trip 2017

The first leg of our road trip was to visit Memom in Georgia.  It's always a treasured time!  The kids LOVE going to stay with her and we do too!  

First road trip pit stop...Buccee's of course!  

Harper brought Baby Hazel and her suitcase along for the ride.  So sweet.  Cousin Vivi had made Harper a Cinderella handkerchief doll that she brought for Hazel to snuggle with at night.  

We made it to Memom's house!

 

Some serious doll conversations going on here. 

We spent one Georgia evening at the local rodeo...we loved it!  And it rained so hard, we were all soaking wet!  So fun!

 

 

We spent a lot of our GA time in Aunt Laura and Uncle Tommy's pool.  It's a beautiful place for some good family time!

Cousins are such a blast!

 

 

 

 

 

These kids had big hugs for Aunt Laura!

 

 Special TV time with Memom.  Memom loves on our Tot so well.  Makes my heart swell!!!  

One of the sweetest hours of our trip was worshiping alongside Memom at Bowdon Baptist Church.  Bryan and I watched Memom study her Sunday school lesson on Saturday night and write out her offering check that night too.  This is not a small task for her.  She has macular degeneration and her eyesight is quickly leaving her.  But that doesn't stop her from giving her tithe to the church, continuing to study God's Word, and live her life as independently as possible.  She is awesome.  And she continues to teach us about perseverance, strength from the Lord, and independence.  She is a testimony of the might God we serve!

 

 
 

 

 

Every time I leave GA, it's more difficult to drive away.  So much of my heart and childhood memories are in that small town.  ...until next summer.  
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Six Flags with the big kids!

I sure did enjoy a day at Six Flags with Nathan and Jordan.  Jordan found the courage to ride the Shockwave and I'm sure Nate might ride it before summer is over.  So proud of these two brave boys.  We laughed a lot, ate big overpriced hot dogs for lunch, got soaking wet on all the water rides, and enjoyed time with cousins and Aunt Jenn!!  
 

LEGO Princess

This sweet girl has kept busy rebuilding several of her LEGO sets this summer.  She's so patient and carefully follows every step.  

 
 

Super Summer Challenge!

Bryan created a game board of Super Summer Challenges for Nathan and Jordan this summer.  One challenge was to create a dessert for the family.  

Jordan created Baymax cupcakes!

And Nate made Dirt Pudding!

He totally cracked himself up with that dirt pudding and worms!  We're proud of these boys.