The Breakout

Well we managed it again.  Somehow we finagled an escape from three kids, two dogs, a house that loves to "surprise" us and an ER work schedule.  Our wonderful Ashley took care of all of it for us again and handled it beautifully.  The kids were loving every second with Ashley- swimming, going out to eat, movies, splash pad.  It's definitely better than when mommy's home and I *gasp* insist they make their beds and unload the dishwasher.  The second we arrived in Destin we just took a deep breath and RELAXED.  The stay was absolutely beautiful and the picture above is from our private balcony at our adults only resort!!  We figured if we were paying big bucks to be away from our kids; we wanted to be away from everyone else's kids too.  

The Henderson Park Inn- this place was FAB-U-LOUS!  The rooms were beautiful and steps from the beach, tons of privacy, delicious food and service.  We loved every second.  And how can I not mention my favorite part, wait for it...all you can eat FULL size candy bars available 24 hours a day.  I think I almost had a candy bar stroke.  

Man, I love this guy.  

Double fisting it during happy hour.  He brought his own Kangaroo cup from home, what a weirdo.  

Oh where oh where has my Indiana boy gone?  He has been replaced by this linen shirt, madras plaid, deck shoe wearing sexy man.  I like, I like :)  And he bought this outfit completely independent of me and even seer sucker shorts.  He has become SO southern.  Don't be surprised if he sports a bow tie to church someday soon;)  Although he can still be found in his 20 year old Bulls shorts and shirtless strutting around the house.  Some habits die hard.  

This is where I happily spent much of our vacation-coffee, book, candy bars=happy Jenni.

Our attempt at using our camera timer.  Stephen had to balance the chair on the bed-it was quite the photography feat.  It's always good to get away and enjoy each other's company and come back refreshed for the kids.  As I write this, Addison is sitting on my lap coloring on my planner mumbling to herself, "Kids can go to Destin too you know, not just mommy's and daddy's."  Next trip is all about the kids.  Promise.

Summer fun

What's not to love about summer days?  The girls and Grandpa enjoying a boat cruise.

My boys.

We had dolphin friends in the bayou.  We could not believe how close they were to the boat, 2 or 3 feet.  It was such a fun surprise.  

It took all of my and Grandpa's restraint to not jump in and hold on to the dolphins fins Sea World style.

Our family "down on the bayou."

We took the boat over to the club to stop and go for a swim.  The club is our home away from home during the summer.  The kids turn into little fish and sprout gills.

Diving board tricks!

I don't know what happened to this one but all of a sudden she is so brave and adventurous!

A rare moment above water for Addison.

This little fishy is constantly under water.

"Throw me daddy, throw me!"

Luke was talented enough to pose for me mid-air.

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville opened recently and wow, this place is amazing.

Look at our booth!  It was a fishing boat!  The atmosphere was amazing and so much fun.

It's 5 o'clock somewhere.

The stilt walkers performing Jimmy Buffet songs, they even have a aerialist who slides into a giant margarita!  The whole atmosphere is party, party, party.  

The kids with the balloon creations the stilt walkers made them.  My kids are learning Jimmy Buffet songs now and I recently heard Addison walking around the house chanting, "Salt, salt, salt!"  

Daddy

Happy Father's Day Daddy!  Stephen had to work on Father's Day but the second he walked in from working the kids dragged him over for his surprises.  

Amelia made Stephen a bracelet (turquoise, pink and yellow).  Good daddy wore it to work the whole week since it was from his Amelia.

Opening the favorite gift from me and the kids...  It was an art piece with the words to "You are My Sunshine" painted on it.  Starting with Amelia as an infant, Stephen has probably spent hundreds of hours singing this song to the kids to get them to sleep.  He walked them in circles while they were fussy infants singing it, rocked them as babies while singing it and rubbing their backs as big kids singing it.  It will forever be intertwined in my brain with my sweet husband and beautiful babies.

The kids and Daddy all singing the song together.  When Addison is really tired she will say, "Daddy, sing sunsine."  

Amelia, Luke and Addison, I hope you always know and appreciate and cherish what an amazing daddy you have.  He loves each of you so much and is so daily invested in each of your lives.  

We headed over to Grandpa's for a yummy Father's Day steak dinner.  

Happy Father's Day Grandpa Steve!  Or as Addison teasingly calls you, "Grampy."

Tennis Fun

Our tennis club had a fun draw down called Island Time the other night and we had a great night with tennis friends.  Here is my tennis partner, Mary Claudia, and me; although it would look more like us if we had on tennis skirts, visors and sunscreen.

Kevin, MC, me and Stephen-none of us won the $2000 :(  Although I did win a haircut at Todd Boswells!  But looking at these pictures clearly I needed to win a highlight instead.

Loving on my new tennis star.   

Celebrations

We celebrated Cynthia's birthday at Darwell's.  It is this great little place near us that was featured on Guy Fieri's show Diners, Drive ins and Dives.  Great atmosphere, great food, great friends-what more do you need?

Tommy and Cynthia-Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday Cynthia!

Best buddies.

The kids loved the band and were dancing up a storm the whole night.  Look at Addi try to mimic the big girls.

Love watching these kiddos grow up together.

The Rochelle Harper band was amazing.  They loved the girls dancing and brought them up on stage!  The girls even made it on the band's website!  What a fun night we all had.

Saying hello and goodbye to old friends

All of Ocean Springs was excited to welcome back our old friends the Dolans.  They had been our neighbors the first few years we lived in Ocean Springs but then moved away to Oregon.  It was just like old times on the beach with Marian back in the crew (she is to the right of me).

The boys were glad to have Jim back in the mix too.  (Jim is on the far left.)

The Boskovich kids and the Dolan boys back together again.  What a bunch!  We both added one more since they moved away!

So fun having them all back together again.

We also got together to say goodbye to our friend Beth; she and her family are moving to Anchorage.  We will miss Beth and her sweet family but what adventures they are going to have in Alaska :)

Vacation Bible School

Our little Olympians!  Our church had Vacation Bible School last week and the theme was the Olympics.  And look who was old enough to join in this year!!!  The kids learned all about Joshua through songs and skits and earned medals by memorizing their bible verses.  VBS has sure come a long way since I was little.  I remember playing on the playground, being really hot all the time (no air conditioning) and butter cookies.  Now it is a full church event with tons of volunteers, events, craft rooms, decorations, sporting events, bible character visits, whew.  No wonder it takes every church member to make it happen:)  We had over 100 kids in the community participate and hopefully we reached a few little hearts who hadn't yet heard about Jesus and his saving power.  What a huge blessing our church has been in our lives.  

Twin Lakes

Big girl Amelia could hardly wait to go to sleep away camp this year.  She was counting the days and when it finally arrived she was beyond excited! Amelia's bunk buddy was Lizzie.   Amelia had seven girls in her cabin and her counselor.  We choose Twin Lakes camp in Jackson, MS because it has a great long-standing reputation and a beautiful Christian focus.  The theme this year was Jonah and the campers learned all about God's faithfulness through songs, devotions, prayers and skits.  

Amelia's sweet counselor, Allison.  

Ocean Springs friends off to camp!

These are all pictures from Amelia's camera now.  This is the waterfront.  There is a big waterslide, a tube slide you can see through the trees, a giant water trampoline, a blob (a big air bag that flings a child out into the water when another child jumps on the other end) and the iceberg, which they climb and conquer.  The camp also had a pool that the kids did water activities.

Amelia horseback riding her horse Sebastian. 

Caroline, Amelia and Lizzie.

Amelia's cabin!  Activities for the week also included Princess Warrior, archery, treehouse time, shooting rifles, zipline, ropes course, Sundae night and so much more. 

The treehouse is a big hit.

To get to the treehouse you have to pull yourself using these ropes while you sit on a raft!

Well deserved hammock time at the treehouse.

Wilderness Adventure.

Great picture Mimi!  This was on top of the lookout tower!

Pick up day!  I was so excited to see these sweet faces!

My mimi!

Driving home the three hours with these two, what a treat!  They talked they entire way about all of their adventures and fun.  They adored every second (zip line was both of their favorites).  We'll be back Twin Lakes!