Sugars at the Sugar Shak

On the last day of our vacation we found Rosemary Beach. Its this cute little town that was about a quarter mile away from where were staying. A much better bike ride than the one to seaside. We found a sweet shop called the Sugar Shak where we indulged in ice cream which had become a theme of the trip. We also tried to get some crazy cousin pictures. Ha! We all know how that went but there was some cuteness in there as always.

I love this girl.

Sock boy. Avoiding his picture taking Mommy

There a sleep good morning smile from Kate!

Definitely the cutest picture of the trip. Those legs! Those boots! That swim suit! There's just too much cuteness going on in this picture. Can't wait to show this one at her picture slideshow at her graduation. What do you think Stace?

Kate watering the flowers...with chlorinated water. I really hope those bushes made it.

Two things saved me on this trip. One was the I pad (See the post The Never Ending Bike Ride) and the second was these puddle jumpers that Marin and Hollis let us use. The kids loved being independent and I loved them being independent.

These houses surrounded the pool.

The pool was huge at our condo. Such a treat for all of us and a lifesaver when the beach was just too much.

Carson and Marin enjoying a sweet treat

This next series of pictures was hilarious.

Carson is actually trying to do what I am asking him to do.

And Marin is thinking "Listen Carsie I love you and all but that arm around me needs to go!" OR is it  a moment of sweetness as he touches his hand? I'm thinking the former.

Two things to note here. Kate and Marin's crossed legs and Carson's face.

Oh the wonders of a cherry red sucker

Rosemary Beach shopping district

Look at my hand around Kate's neck trying to keep her from running off or my vise grip around Carson. Really cuts down on the sweetness of the picture

This is what they really wanted to do!

Billions of bikes to rent

He was so happy to ride in that stroller. It kept him contained for a millisecond.

All Fired Up....And the Flame Out Day 4

I decided to take the kids into Seaside to paint some pottery so that we could have a take away from our trip. I learned a lot of things from this little excursion that I will not do again. I let the kids pick out a big piece to do. That was a mistake. The place required you  to do 3 coats of paint and let each coat dry in between. Too much work! I overheard a lady say (as we were leaving of course) that she lets her kids do a little tile every year to remember their vacation by. A much better idea and a tradition we will be starting next year if we are lucky enough  to go back. 

Kate's finished product. She admits the eyes are a little freaky

Mine. The heart is made up of melted paint chips

That is one ORANGE shark Carso!

 

I love Burke's face in the back ground. It just perfectly fit what I thought of my kids' behavior that day.

But you wouldn't know it from these pictures would you?

The beach at seaside

Marin thought that Carsie was hilarious. I'm glad someone did that day. :)

This little guy was so funny. He kept walking around and trying to give the kids a hug. He was really feeling the vacation spirit. Our kids were not so sure.

A cousin Kate and Marin hug. Just happened to catch this one.

And a cute little shot of Hollis to end the post.

Family Pictures

I have been making a more conscious effort to actually BE in pictures with my kids. I remember one picture of my Mom from when I was young. I know there were several formal family portraits but only one candid one that I can really remember. She was holding my youngest brother looking over her shoulder at him and Oh my Goodness she's so beautiful in that picture. She is beautiful now but I wish there were more pictures of her with US. I feel that she fell into the trap that I did. I have zillions of pictures of my kids (that's a conservative estimate) but not very many where I am actually in them. I have this feeling that when asked what I looked like when they were young my kids will say quite wittily (because I just know that will be sarcastic...I mean witty:) "Well her face kind of looked like a Nikon D3100." Ha! Well no more. I urge any Mom reading this to take more pictures with their kids. I'm just betting that my kids will love it in the future when they look back at this blog and see their old mom:) And if you're holding back because of that extra 10 lbs or no make up thing....get over it! Your kids won't care. They just want to see you!  Now go take a picture with your kid...go!... do it! Here's our latest...

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