SHOCKER, I know . . . Labor Day Fun in Destin, FL

Don't adjust your computer screen. Don't keep wiping your eyes. YES, it is true, I have finally done and ACTUAL blog post - equipped even with tons of pictures.

We were really fortunate to be able to spend the weekend in Destin Florida over the Labor Day weekend. Don and I really wanted to go somewhere for our 12 anniversary and it turned into a family beach trip. We were able to luck out on a great condo

deal right off of the beach because of the Oil Spill stuff. Of course Destin didn't

have any oil issues, but still people were more reluctant to book their vacations

for a potential oil contaminated area. This of course made it so awesome

condo's like the the one we stayed in much more affordable.

We left MS Friday morning and drove the 5 hours to get to Destin. we quickly checked into our condo (btw, we found it on vrbo.com), grabbed some late lunch, and headed for the beach. Trent and Kolby were a little displeased with the lack of "stellar" waves, but that didn't stop them from constantly trying to ride the waves. Tanner and Brook loved playing in the surf and in the sand. We stayed at the beach for a little over an hour, then readed back to our resort where we hopped in the pool for another hour of water fun. On Saturday, we got a late start (hmmm, something about Don and I really enjoying the care free time and the ability to sleep in and relax in the morning, lol) but headed off to the beach for a few hours before lunch. Then we headed back to the pool where we ate our packed lunches and played some more. After all that time in the sun and surf, we had mandatory nap time. That evening we drove along the coast line and finally stopped at a cool shack called The Crab Trap. Sunday we skipped church (yes, you read that right) and headed back to the beach for several hours. After lunch and nap time, we headed BACK to the beach and then finished off with the pool again. We quickly headed back up to our room so we could have dinner and a movie while watching The Chipmunks. Monday morning we packed up and checked out. It was really sad to have to leave, but that just means we had a really fantastic time. Before making it back to Mississippi, we stopped in Pensacola Beach for a few more hours of beach time. We finally made it back to our house around 9 p.m. after some intense stop and go traffic.

The weekend trip was simply perfect and I am so glad

we were able to spend it as a family.

Now check out our fun pictures from the trip. I know I posted a lot of pictures, but believe me when I say that I didn't even post HALF of them, lol.

Our master bedroom with a great view of the beach.

Kolby and Tanner in the "bunk room".

Trent and Brooklyne hiding in the pillows in the 2nd bedroom.

The kids were glued to the tv every morning. It was nice having cable for the weekend.

This is the view of the beach from our bedroom.

Kolby playing on the beach.

Brooklyne makes a sand patty in Destin.

Brooklyne getting some assistance while catching a wave.

She thinks she is the diva of the beach now, ha ha ha.

This is a picture of the resort we stayed at. It took 5 minutes from our door to the sand.

Kolby sacked out while reading on the patio.

Trent was diving to catch a fish, I think. ha ha ha

Donald had a great time playing at the beach - maybe even more fun than the kids.

Kolby really enjoyed trying to catch some waves.

Trent rides the wave to shore.

Kolby and Trent trying to catch some fish.

Brooklyne and Tanner loved playing in the sand.

I love being a mom, even if it means the kids like to climb on me at the beach.

Brooklyne and Tanner playing in the sand in Pensacola.

Trent and Kolby catching some fun waves.

Brooklyne, --- 3.5 years old.

Kolby, --- 7 years old.

Tanner, --- almost 5 years old.

Trenton, --- 9.5 years old.

Donald helping Tanner catch the wave.

Brooklyne and Daddy playing in the waves --- I think this wave won.

Tanner and I playing in the surf as we battled to see who was stronger, mom, Tanner, or the wave?

The jelly fish that was caught right where we were swimming.

decisions . . .

Well, I am so behind on this blog, and I trying to figure out what I am going to do. In my mind, I have a few options, so please help me decide what to do:

1. Start blogging from current events and don't worry about the past 6 months.

2. Work on the past 6 months, but paraphrase it all.

3. Stop blogging.

PLEASE help me decide what to do. I will say that I get rather frustrated with how long it takes to upload pictures onto blogger.com.

My baby girl is 3

It is so hard to believe that Brooklyne is already 3 years old. It is really strange because I have always had another child by now and it's just a bit odd.

We kept things pretty low key for her birthday, had the sister missionaries over for dinner, had some cake and opened up presents. she really had a great day.

A week of laughter with an awesome friend

I had so much fun when my friend Sarah Platteborze came to visit me in Mississippi for almost a whole week! It was so awesome to spend time hanging out together and laughing about everything and anything. I was a little nervous that she would get bored in our little town, but it never happened - we just had such a blast! here are some pictures from our fun time together.

Sarah trying to get a picture with my perfectly behaved, sweetly sitting children!

They loved having her here.

Yes, there are times when we look like normal sane people, lol.

Ya, I really have no clue why I look so darn attractive here.

Sarah and I went outside to play with the kids. Sarah made the

mistake of playing basketball in some tall wedge shoes.

We went to Birmingham to go to the temple and some good shopping.

Of course we had to go to Target, because I don't have one in my town.

Here I am sporting a sexy little hat.

Sarah is "rock'n" that hat, don'tcha think?

She was pretty tempted to purchase these sweet leopard print pants

from the clearance rack.

We picked up some eye masks in the dollar bins from Target.

Here I am setting the computer up with the movie we rented.

Our hotel was awesome. We seriously were like jr. high kids throwing

ice in the hallway running around.

Saturday morning we headed off to do some shopping.

We decided to try on some interesting dresses.

Here's my favorite purchase from the day!

Here we are at P F Changs for the second time in 24 hours.

Sarah is addicted to the computer just as much as I am, ha ha ha ha.

Ya, she is a total goof ball!

Donald was weighing her suitcase to make sure it wasn't too heavy.

I was so sad to see her go and I hate that we live so far away. I have decided that 5 years is way too long to go between getting to hang out together. Sarah, you rock girl!!!!

Kids say the Darnedest things

We were reading in 3 Nephi after dinner last week and the verse was talking about them being "pierced to their very soul" so I was trying to explain this to the kids so they would understand.

mom: have you ever had that feeling, like your heart is on fire?
Trent: YUP, that's what it feels like before I toot!
mom: NOOO, I mean when it feels GOOD!
Trent: well it feels good after I toot!

Fab-tab-ulous weekend on the cheap

I know this is out of chronological order, but if I don't post this now, then I know that I will forget and it will never get posted. Nonetheless, this past weekend we had GREAT fantastic weather, it was sunny and 70 degrees. Here is a run down of our weekend:

FRIDAY:

- Went to the gym and played racket ball with Donald.

- Headed to WalMart and stayed within my budget, GO ME!

- Took Tanner and Brooklyne to the Bonita Lakes Park and chased them around and laughed a lot.

- Had a picnic at the park with the little ones.

- After Trent and Kolby got home from school, we headed over to the church and road bikes, ran races, played kick balll, and played roller hockey as a family.

- After putting kids to bed Don and I got to relax and watch a movie.

SATURDAY:

- Got to sleep in until 7:45 a.m.

- Made and ate a yummy breakfast of Hootnanny Pancakes and a spread of fresh fruit.

- Headed to Bonita Lakes at 10:30 a.m. Don took the kids over to the park to play while I got to run a couple miles. Running outside felt so dang good, and it was the first time I have gone running in over 3 months and it was AWESOME.

- Took the kids hiking on the trails. We hiked a little more than 3 miles. Tanner and Brook were carried about 50% of the time, but over all they did pretty good. Trent didn't want to stop, he was determined to do 5 miles.

- Made it home in time for Tanner and Brook to get a 2 hour, MUCH NEEDED, nap.

- Took the kids to the roller rank because we had some free passes. Kolby got to bring a friend and we had a nice time.

- Went to the Elders Quorum bon fire hot dog roast as a family.

- I resisted the package of Oreo cookies sitting on the table!

- Got the kids home and showered and in bed by 8:30 p.m.

- Snuggled up to my husband and watched a movie before bed.

SUNDAY:

- Made it to church ON TIME.

- Enjoyed church.

- Had a nice lunch of left over OUR BEST BITES Chicken and Dumplings.

- Helped my kids learn what giving to others is about. I wish I could take the credit, but really it it was instigated by Trent and Kolby. The 4 kids collected and donated $10 for Haiti relief then Donald and I added to that to make it an even $50.00. The time we spent discussing how we can contribute to the Haiti relief and the blessings in life was an unforgettable teaching moment that melted my heart.

- Had a great dinner as a family with lots of laughs.

- Put the kids to bed and played card games with Donald.

Overall, our weekend was the perfect way to spend our time together.

EYE POPPING -- SIZZLING HOT

. . . HEELS!!!

My girlfriend Sarah and I went to Birmingham and did some shopping. We of course are clearance shoppers and both fell in love with these hot shoes. Originally $100, and I got them for $35. I don't have anything like them and seriously they are so HOT!!!!! I decided to use my birthday money to buy them guilt free!!!!

9 year old TUDE

My perfect little angle of a son has turned 9 years old. Ahhhh, he really was, and is an awesome kid. Seriously, he was a nearly perfect pregnancy, an easy delivery, a picture perfect baby, toddler, and preschooler, and now, now her has hit the age of ATTITUDE! I suppose I had a glory ride for quite some time, and honestly, his TUDE isn't nearly as bad as some I witness from other 9 year old boys. Nonetheless, he is declaring his independence and trying to establish and figure out the boundaries and line to cross. Yes, I think it will be a work in progress, but thankfully, he is a dang good kid, who is smart, caring, hard working, people pleasing, assertive, critical thinking, caring heart, fun, silly, and much much more. All of these qualities help to out weigh his deliverance of TUDE.

Anyway, enough of that, Trent was able to have a birthday party this year. For the past 3 years he has not had a "friend" party. One year he chose having a friend sleep over, another year he chose building a go cart with dad, and last year was all about getting baptized. So this year he got to have a fun FRIEND party. For several months he was persistant in his desire to have a football and soccer party. This idea was a difficult one to pull off seeings how his birthday is in January. Thankfully Trent was open for suggestions and changed his party plans to a Roller Skating party!!! When Saturday rolled around we were even more grateful for Trent's party plan change due to the 35 degree temp. that day.

Trenton, Bo, and Cooper roller skating

JT, Adam, Trent and Max getting ready to do some Hokey Pokey.

Max, Trent and Adam

Jessica, our babysitter, was helping Brooklyne roller skate

Time for some birthday cake

Party Time!

This picture is the BEST! Seriously, check out the expression on Tanner's face and Jessica's face!

Daddy helping Brooklyne roller skate.

Tanner and I cruising on our wheels while David and Bo laugh in front of us.

"Look Mom, I am miss independent!"