Spring Break 2013

Mike and I have started a new family tradition of taking a mini-vacation to the beach after Easter Sunday.   A few weeks before our trip this year, we found out we were going to be expecting another sweet baby!  After trying for a year to get pregnant with Abigail, we were both thankful and surprised by our little blessing!  I was 9 weeks pregnant when we finally left for the beach and very, very sick...

Nonetheless, we headed south right after our second service and I prayed for a little " Spring Break" from morning sickness! I am so thankful for my husband because he takes such good care of me when I am feeling bad. 

The Gulf welcomed us with warm sunshine and peaceful views!

I learned something very valuable this year.  When you have a baby, your beach day starts around 7:30 A.M. which is actually pretty perfect because it is the most peaceful part of the day!  I really enjoyed getting down to the beach early and having a few hours of peace and quiet with my little family.  

We took long walks in the mornings with Abigail, happy as could me in the baby ergo.  I spent a lot of time looking at moms running around chasing TWO small children and wondering what crazy beach adventures were headed my way in the future! 

I am so thankful that Abigail is a little beach bum!  She was perfectly content hanging out with us by the ocean.  We set her up each day under the umbrella with our portable swing, a few snacks, and her sippy cup.  She was pretty happy I guess you could say. 

The sand was a different story.  She was not so thrilled about that part. 

She discovered sunglasses however, and that made all the difference!  I thought I would have to make her wear them, but she fell in love with them.  In fact, she enjoys them so much that we wear them inside, outside, to church, out to eat.  We don't leave home without her shades! 

I was so proud of myself for doing my homework and having all my gadgets ready for Abigail at the beach.  I had beach toys, a blow up pool, a little baby tent, and her swing.  But this little one was not interested in getting anywhere near the little pool.  She loves to play in the bath tub, but she was NOT getting in the pool!  She did enjoy sitting on the towel with me and watching people walk by.  She sat so still with me and just watched the kids play along the shore.  I hope I appreciated how chill she was for this trip, because I'm pretty sure she will be running around soon enough! 

The last two days of our trip were pretty miserable for me.  I was very sick and out of it, but I am so thankful for a little break from nausea and a good dose of sunshine!  We will be heading back to Gulf Shores in June and I should be feeling much better by then!  We'll try that little kiddy pool again! 

These last pictures are my favorite because I love the innocence in Abigail's little face.  She is in her daddy's arms, with her baby doll, looking out at the ocean.  She's a happy girl for sure!

{Spring Break 2013 Gulf Shores}

Mule Day 2013

Oh my, it's already April and I am so behind on my blog!  What better way to catch up, then with a Mule Day post of course!

Last weekend, we packed up our car and headed down to Columbia for a fun day with family and friends.  I have enjoyed the Mule Day Parade since I was a little girl, and I love that Mike looks forward to all the festivities each year too! Here are a few flashback pictures from Mule Day.  I actually rode in a cage with a Llama one year for the parade...no pictures of that. 

I can remember getting so excited for the parade when I was a little girl!  I always had a fun outfit complete with a cow girl hat and boots of course.  My family usually camped out directly across from the Polk Home which was a great spot for the action.  It isn't allowed any more, but years ago people would toss candy down to the children as they drove by on their floats.  Think small town family fun day! 

We are actually really lucky now because Dee Dee lives right along the parade route.  So, instead of tail gaiting or getting out super early to save a good spot, we just show up for good food and sit in the front yard!  Here we are this year with Miss Abigail waiting for the parade to begin!

It was a beautiful day and I hope Abigail grows up enjoying this tradition as much as I have!  She will definitely have a little pair of cow girl boots ready for next year ya'll!