East again

We love the beach and we love Pensacola, FL! My parents started taking us to this beach when I was 15. They have been back 25+ times since then! My dad says he has to see his "pshychiatrist" there. He needs his "therapy" from the wind, waves, sand, wildlife, etc. It is relaxing and refreshing to be there with the powdery, white sand and gorgeous blue-green water. It was especially beautiful this year. There were NO jellyfish, no seaweed, and the water was clear and calm. Thank you Mama Leslie and Grandpappy for letting us tag along and intrude on your peace and quiet! We loved it!!


Did I mention beautiful sand and water? Great view from the balcony.




The girls spent lots of time looking for shells and accumulated quite a nice collection this year.



We toured Ft. Pickens again this year with much better weather! The girls loved climbing up and onto the old cannons and exploring all the passageways to see where they went.




One of the highlights of our trip was getting to see the Blue Angels practice at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola. I am a very unlikely "fan" of the Blue Angels. No military background, etc., but for some reason, I love to see them! All the precision flying and fancy moves, along with all the training. They are coming to a town near us in the fall--we may just have to go! I had a hard time getting any good shots because they were moving so fast, but Sus took over the camera and got some great pictures. She took most of the pictures, including this one--the top 2 jets are upside down. I posted some of the best ones on my FB page.



Susanna was tall enough to drive the go kart by herself this year. She did great!


We especially loved the beautiful evenings at the beach. Hope we can make it back next year!

A trip to Sea World

Before the girls and I headed down to southeast TX, then on to Florida, we made a quick trip down to Sea World! One of Greg's former clients is a trainer there. He invited us to come down, gave us free passes to get in, and gave us a backstage tour with the Beluga whales, dolphins, sea lions and a walrus! Greg invited his friend James to come along. We loved seeing the sea life and VERY much appreciated the opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals!!


Greg's client works with the animals in the Viva show. After the show, he had us come back stage and showed us all around. That's him with the dolphin on the platform, which is actually a scale they use to weigh the animals.


Nan with "Betty".


We all had the chance to get "kissed" by a beluga whale. It was Sam's turn here.


We were also able to feed and touch the whales and dolphins.


Mommy beluga with her baby.

Our East Coast Road Trip.....

...to Hilton Head Island, SC! We loaded up the family and headed to the east coast! (a 2000 mile round trip road trip) My inlaws used to live there and were coming to stay a week. They were so kind to invite us to come along! Thanks again to Chris and Sally--it truly was a fabulous week! We stayed in the beautiful Sea Pines Plantation. It is just gorgeous with the tall Oak trees and Spanish Moss everywhere. Minutes from fabulous beaches, bike paths, shopping, restaurants, golf courses, etc. Here are a few highlights:

--Spending time family. We don't get to see Nana and Papa very often, so we very much enjoyed visiting with them. Greg's sister Ashley was also there--she is so much fun! The girls of course think she is "cool"! We enjoyed many wonderful meals with everyone, and survived an intense game of Phase 10. (Well, intense for the people who were losing!)


The girls enjoying the beautiful scenery outside on the patio. Had to remind them to be quiet when there were golfers!


On a water break during one of our bike rides. Nana showed us all around the plantation.


We trespassed on private property to get this photo, but the view was so beautiful! Unfortunately, my SIL that took the picture got eaten by mosquitoes.


We explored some ruins of an old plantation.


Nan (my child with the most energy on any given day) decides that she is pooped and can't walk anymore. Sus offers to help her out...

--Harbour Town and Gregg Russell.

Harbour Town is just gorgeous at sunset, with the red and white striped lighthouse, shops, restaurants, HUGE boats and trees. We climbed to the top of the lighthouse (114 steps in all, in case you wanted to know).


Every night in Harbour Town, a performer named Gregg Russell puts on a free show under the Liberty Oak Tree there on the harbor. He has been doing this every summer for 33 years! It is great because he involves the kids, but keeps the parents and adults laughing! He has all the kids come up and sit around him. Kids who know the drill make signs and posters asking him to "pick us" to come up and sing. He goes around and reads every childs sign, then picks a few to come up and sing a song. He does not allow jokes--apparently a 4 year old boy ruined it for everyone on the jokes! The first night we went, the girls made a sign. They did not get picked during the show. Here they are getting it autographed after. Gregg Russell told them to come again and he would pick them. We went again on our last night there, and he did in fact pick the girls to sing. They sang Que Sera Sera and he teased them about their ages, being twins, and being from Texas! (I have a video of this performance. I will send it to you if you are interested. Sam had a case of the giggles.)

--Bike rides. Sea Pines has over 50 miles of paved bike paths. They are so fabulous! Nana rented us bikes for the week. We rode most every day, in the morning and evening.


LOVED the biking!


After 8 pm at night we were allowed to ride on the golf courses. So beautiful. One night I unknowingly parked my bike right on top of a sprinler head that went off as I was sitting there. SOAKED!!!!!! I was completely soaked, and since I am not a good sport about things like this, I went back to take a shower!


Greg, Papa Chris, and Nan.


The girls loved riding by the stables to pet the horses.


We saw at least one of these in EVERY pond or lagoon we came arcross. Kind of gave me the creeps to think about how many were lurking nearby!

--We took a day trip to Savannah, GA.


Such a beautiful city. We stopped along River Street and sampled homemade, warm pecan pralines. Yummy!!! We also ate at Paula's, but since the wait was 4 HOURS long, we loaded up as much as we could carry and got take out! Oh my word, the fried chicken and creamed corn....delicious!


We loved seeing all the beautiful squares in the city. I would have loved to have seen more, but the girls....it just didn't have the same appeal for them.

--Beach time. The girls just love the beach! We all enjoyed soaking up some summer sun.




It really was a great vacation. The girls were such great travelers. They watched many movies, and we were able to get in some family reading time along the way. I am gearing up for another road trip in just a few days......stay tuned.

A summertime favorite

Fresh Peach pie. Oh my word, soooooo good!!!!!! (if you like peaches)

I got this recipe from my mother in law when Greg and I were first married. It has been a hit ever since.
Crust:
1 and 1/2 c flour
2 TBSP sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c crisco oil
2 TBSP milk
Mix together. It will look crumbly, but that is ok. Pat into pie shell. Bake at 425 degrees for 12 minutes. Cool slightly.

Peel and slice peaches (about 8) aand arrange in pie shell.
Mix together in a pot:
2 TBSP corn starch
1/4 c water
(mix these together first, then add sugar and hot water)
3/4 c sugar
3/4 c hot water
Bring to boil and add half a package of peach jello. Pour glaze over peaches and refrigerate.

Go ahead--try it. You won't be sorry!!!

July 4th

We headed down to the cabin again for a few days before the 4th with our friends Camden and kids. Greg and her husband joined us a couple of days later. We did the usual--lake, tree swing, bikes,campfire. The kids had a ball! It was super hot weather! I actually had to get in the lake this time to try to cool off. On the fourth we went to my parents for some four wheeling, great food and fireworks. So fun!!!


Adyson and Sus displaying the things they found on a scavenger hunt that Camden made for them.


They obviously found everything but a caterpillar!


We popped fireworks a couple of nights at the cabin. Nan and Sam were goofing off.


Our girls and Tanner getting ready for the fireworks show at my mom and dad's church.


Mama Leslie and Grandpappy. They always make our stay at the cabin and their home so much fun. Thanks again!!!!!!!


A photo of Greg and I together, courtesy of Susanna.


After the fireworks at the church, we of course popped more at my mom and dad's. The kids LOVE this! (So do the "big" kids! Kids at heart!)


Hope your 4th was wonderful!

Summer update

Last weekend my brother and his family made a quick stop in Big D. It was great to see them even if it was just for a short visit. Cousin time is precious since with we don't get to see each other as often as we would like! We had my family and girls, D and her girls, Lori and her girl (soon to be girls in just a few weeks), my brother and his 5 girls and 1 boy, Mama Leslie and Grandpappy, and Mama Judy. We gathered at my sister Lori's. The cousins played--it is so fun to watch them together, and ate lots of good food as usual with our family gatherings. After, we made a quick trip to the cabin to celebrate Nan and Sam's 10th b-day! They are 10!! I can hardly believe it!




The cousins with Mama Judy.


Samantha reading books with Emilee.


Me and my siblings--sans Maria.


Sus and Serena.


The cousins playing 20 questions with Mama Leslie.


Samantha and Natalie--10 years old!!


Nan and Emilee.


Splashing in the little pool on the deck of the cabin.


Lake time.


Grandpappy with Serena, Blake and Nan.

School's out...Summer's on!

We are so excited for Summer and no school! Some of our friends were having a get together after school on Thursday at Hawaiian Falls, so we all went and celebrated. It was a gorgeous afternoon, just perfect for a water park and hanging out by the pool.