Beach Geataway

***WARNING: PICTURE OVERLOAD***

Two weeks ago my parents were going to the beach for a long weekend and we invited ourselves to tag along.  Patrick stayed home to take care of the dogs.  Since Patrick started his new job we probably won't get to take a vacation this year because he won't have any vacation time so I knew if I wanted to see the beach this summer this was my best bet.  I also knew my parents would love to see Barrett at the beach.  (Although I'm pretty sure we won't be invited back for a while, I think they missed their lazy, carefree trips.) Ha! 

We loaded up Friday morning and started our journey.  We made a quick stop at Sikes & Kohn for some retail therapy, (and I may or may not have been bootlegging wedge sandals back to Birmingham).  We made it to the beach in just enough time to unpack and run to the store before sunset. 

After we got the groceries unpacked we headed to the beach to enjoy the evening.  Barrett wasn't sure about the sand at first.  But once we got him out a little further and it was smooth and pretty he put his feet in it.  He was not crazy about the waves hitting his legs. 

There is a lake across the street and there is a drainage pipe that feeds into the ocean.  It often makes a little fresh water pool and its the perfect place for little ones to play.  

We're standing in the "river" here.  When we were kids my brothers always used this water to skim board in and it was perfect. (There are a ton of pictures of me and Barrett.  I'm so thankful because whenever the three of us go anywhere I'm always the one taking the pictures so it was nice to have so many of us together).

Saturday my dad had a board meeting but he took our chairs and tent out to the beach to claim our spot before so mom and I just had to get ourselves and the kid ready.  We were out there by 8:30 or 9:00 and we stayed out all day long.  It was wonderful.

He was using the bubble fan as a gun.  Or a camera, I'm not sure.

Love this one of him and my mom.   The water was crazy rough so I don't blame him one bit for being a little leery.  

He loved the birds.  I'm pretty sure everyone around us hated us because any time we gave him a snack he would throw part of it out for the birds.

Here we are in the fresh water "pool".  It was the perfect depth for him.

He's really getting the hang of his puddle jumper.  I can't wait for pool days with friends this summer.

I love this one of him just out there hanging out and swimming.  He was so good.  He played by himself and he really didn't have too many meltdowns on the beach.  I was really happy at how easy he was.

He napped on the beach both days.  Good two hour naps.

He was so sweet asleep on the beach.  

For dinner, we went to this hole in the wall place on a dock.  My parents had been before and they thought Barrett would love it.  They have these sliding glass doors that are open and you can feed the catfish.  Also notice there are zero railings.  One wrong move and you're catfish dinner.  We opted to sit away from the edge.  The food was great.  My only concern was the kids chicken fingers was served with a dum dum sucker sticking out of the top.  Guess what Barrett had for dinner... 

After Barrett ate his sucker he and Granddaddy fed the fish some french fries. 

As you can imagine this made me just a tad nervous.

Sunday morning Mom and I got up and went to Mass.  While we were gone Dad and Barrett walked to the pier to see it and the dogs at the dog beach.  Dad said he walked all the way there and back (about a mile total, on the beach, I was impressed).  Mom and I went to get donuts for breakfast.  After we ate we hit the beach!  Sunday was Dad's birthday so we enjoyed spending the whole day with him.  His friends from the board meeting joined us on the beach and we had a big day.

Told you, picture overload of me and my boy.

Man,  I love him so much.

Here we are May, 2015. 

I wanted this picture because I knew I had a similar one and he was wearing a similar bubble from our last trip.

This was September 2013.  He was so little.

He loves my Dad.

I love this one.  I think I'm going to print it on a big canvas for our bathroom.

He was over having his picture made by the time it was Nana's turn.  I can't remember what I said to him but he made this face and I about died laughing.  

Oh look, it's another picture of me and Barrett.  

After pictures we went to Pier Park so Barrett could ride some of the rides.  He wasn't really all that excited.  I was definitely more excited than he was.  But he pushed through.  He rode these little cars, the carousel and the hang gliders that go up and down.  He did not like the hang gliders at all.  

Since is it was Dad's birthday I treated him to a race down the big slide.  He won.  It was a great ending to a great trip.  I don't think Barrett would have lasted one more day.  Dad tried to take him to the beach while Mom and I packed things up Monday morning and he wouldn't touch the sand.   He did so great on both the car ride down and home.  It was a fun quick trip. I'm hoping I can talk Patrick into going for another quick weekend trip this fall.  Barrett was just so much fun!  I'm thankful my parents let us tag along, it was a lot a fun (and I was so thankful for the two extra set of hands)!

Mother's Day

{I'm so behind on blogging.  There are so many things I want to write about that I just haven't gotten around to.  Hopefully I'll get it done soon}

We had a really nice Mother's Day.   We got up and got ready for church.  Patrick wasn't feeling well so he stayed home from church. Barrett brought home this sweet card and flower from school.  Of course I love them both.

Barrett and Patrick also got me a full length mirror so I won't have to stand on the stool in the bathroom to see my whole outfit in the mirror.  I love it!

After church we went to my parents house for lunch.  Patrick snapped this picture of me and Barrett and I just love it.  He's at a fun age he's always hamming it up for the camera.  After naps we went to the Horton's house for dinner.  This year Mother's day was hard.  I should have been celebrating finding out the gender of our second baby.  I'm so thankful for my sweet boy who made me a mother but I still had a little pang of sadness.  Then I think about the women who desperately want to be mothers and aren't for one reason or another.  I hate that a day to celebrate these special women in our lives also tend to make other women feel such isolation. I try to focus on the positive but sometimes that's just hard.  

The Horton House Daily: Week 20

It's week 20.  WEEK 20!! 

Day 134:  We made an impromptu trip to the splash pad after work.  These two made a mud hole and had the best time.  Day 135:  Barrett and I tagged along with Nana and Granddaddy to the beach for the weekend.  It was special getting to see my parents with Barrett at the beach.  Day 136:  We went to eat at this place in downtown Panama City.  It's on a dock and they have sliding doors that are open and you can feed the fish.  There are no railings but Barrett had a blast.  I was a little nervous. Day 137:  There's nothing sweeter than a sleeping beach baby.  He did so good napping on the beach.  I loved the cuddles and getting to read for a few hours. Day 138:  We were sad to leave the beach but we were so happy to get home to Daddy.  Barrett traveled so easily.  We didn't even have to break out Mickey Mouse in the car.
Day 139:  The boys went to bed early and I got to watch the DWTS finale. Day 140:  Barrett celebrated the end of the year at MDO.  (He'll still be going this summer but not all the kids will so they had a little celebration).  I love this picture of him.  I can't believe we are almost half way through this year. 

The Horton House Daily: Week 19

Week 19.  (I will get back on schedule posting these on Thursday.  I had this one ready to go and completely forgot about it.)

Day 127:  He needed to get some work done while we were sitting in the drive thru at Chick-fil-A.  He kills me with those sunglasses.

Day 128:  We've been trying to teach Barrett the sign for "i love you".  He just scrunches up his little shoulders and points with his pointer fingers on both hands.  Its the cutest thing.  He totally thinks he's doing it.  We laugh so hard every time he does it.
Day 129:  He was helping me carry in the groceries.
Day 130:  I got to celebrate Mother's Day with my sweet boy and family.  I loved the sweet card and flower he brought home from school and Patrick got me a full length mirror after he's seen me too many times standing on a stool in the bathroom to get a full length look of an outfit. Day 131:  Working the remote. Day 132:  My sweet boys cuddled up playing games.
Day 134:  Exciting day at the office when the transformer caught fire. 
I can't believe we're already in week 20 of this year.  

The Horton House Daily: Week 18

Welcome to week 18 of The Horton House Daily.   We haven't been up to much lately and it's been kind of nice.

Day 120:  I had a meeting this night so we were late getting home.  I let Barrett stay up until Patrick got home from work.  He loves laying on my pillow when he's in our bed. Day 121:  They were talking about this website on the TODAY show so I decided to give it a try.  It guesses your age based on a photograph.  Mine said 19.  I'll take it. Day 122:  Our little Princess Ally now shares a birthday with the Royal Princess Charlotte.  She couldn't be more thrilled about it.  I can't believe she's 7 years old. Day 123:  I was in curled up in bed before 9 :00 with this book.  I just love it.  I'm so thankful for all the friends I've had through every stage of life.
Day 124:  "When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator."  The moon was beautiful.  I went to watch Ava play softball at the ballpark next to our neighborhood.  This day was Patrick's first day at his new job too.  (He's had a good first week, we're excited to have him around more) Day 125:  Cinco de Margarita-O.  I'm a fan of any holiday made up or otherwise that encourages the consumption of margaritas. Day 126:  I was picking up pizza with the sunroof open and the windows down.  I couldn't help but think "Life is good today."  I feel like 2015 has been one of the most challenging years of my life.  I'm trying to remember to celebrate all the answered prayers both big and small.  We're looking forward to summer and a slower pace.  I'm thankful that Barrett will still get to go to MDO during the summer and I'll still be working but we typically slow down a little for the summer so we can sneak in some pool days and long weekends at the lake.  I'm can't wait.