Pensacola Paradise

I realize this is quite late, but I am just now getting to posting our Pensacola Beach vacation pictures.  I apologize.  Anyway, vacation started in Mobile, AL at the USS Alabama battleship.  The boys were amazed and loved every minute of it.  Unfortunately, time did not allow for them to go inside the ship to see the sleeping quarters, galley, etc.  But, they don't know that they missed anything.  :)

 

That afternoon we headed to Pensacola Beach, and ultimately to our townhouse on that beach.  Traffic was TERRIBLE because we chose to arrive the day of the annual "Red, White, and Blues" weekend.  This traffic was like being caught in Dallas rush hour for 3 hours!  But, we made it just in time to see the Blue Angels do their thing.  They are absolutely amazing!

Owen thought they were neat, but way too loud.  He later chose to take shelter indoors with Aunt Kaysie (who'd taken Ella inside because she, too, didn't like the noise).

The kids absolutely love the ocean.  Even Ella.  The sand and salt water didn't bother her one bit!  She was a lot of work, mind you, but a joy nonetheless.

 

Corwin played SO hard!  He boogie boarded, snorkeled, jumped, flipped, etc.  He spent nearly all day, everyday, in that water.  The boy LOVES the water!

Owen started out loving the sand and cautious with the water.  Thankfully, we were blessed with very calm surf for 2-3 days and he learned to brave the waves and eventually love them--as long as he had his ring on.

We also checked out Fort Pickens one day.  Corwin was amazed!

And the kids enjoyed lots, and lots, and LOTS of cousin time.  They all play so well together, thankfully.  It was a great week at one of my most favorite places on earth.  I hope to go back again soon.



Cleats, or No Cleats?

Well, the Davis Motors T-Ball team's season came to an exciting halt last night.  We didn't know if Corwin was going to get to partcipate, or not.  I told Corwin to put on his Crocs and get in the car because I thought his cleats were in the van.  And, they were in the van... before Jason unkowingly took them out and carried them into the house.  So, we got all the way to Williamsville (about an 45 minutes away) and realized we had no cleats.  We started to head back to Poplar Bluff to buy some cheap tennis shoes before we realized that we wouldn't get back in time.  So, we decided he'd have to play in his Crocs.  Fortunately, one of the other mom's asked around the crowd and found a pair that fit him perfectly!  He was so relieved to have real shoes to play ball in.  Needlesstosay, he was not happy and his father was furious!  Oh, well.  It all worked out!

All that to say:  Corwin and his team played in the championship game of the t-ball tournament, but sadly lost with a score of 22-21.  His team won all but two of their games this summer (including the tournament final).  They did an excellent job, and had a lot of fun in the process.

Corwin played in the outfield for this last game.  He did an excellent job stopping the ball.  The opposing team was comprised of some power hitters, and this particular ballfield does not have an outfield fence.  So, it was his and another boy's job to stop the ball and, in turn, stop the opposing team from getting several home runs.  He did his job perfectly!  They didn't have one single home run scored!

Owen loves Bubby's games because he gets to play in the dirt with Maddox.  Maddox just turned 2, and they get along fairly well.  There are some serious moments, though, when they both want the same tractor or truck.  :)

We won second in the season and got second in the tournament.  Not bad, if I do say so myself.  The kids didn't seem to mind so much that they came in second.  The parents, however, were not as cheerful.  :)  I didn't know t-ball games could be so tense!

Corwin did a great job.  He has really improved with catching and fielding the ball better this year.  He has a lot of friends on this team, and he really enjoyed himself.  I enjoyed watching them, too.  It helped that we had a winning season, too.  But, I'm glad it is over.  Now it's time to really enjoy some time off.  Until next year!

Busy Summer Days

Summer is in FULL swing at the Morris Abode.  We have been very busy with Jason's baseball games (of which we have only attended one), Corwin's t-ball games.  He is in the midst of a tournament right now.  It is obviously very exciting for him.

The kids have enjoyed a week split between Grandma and Grandpa's house and Nana and Pa's house.  I spent a week at Camp Niangua playing in a praise band, and Jason was busy with baseball.  So, we shipped the kids off for some grandparent time.  They loved it, and I thoroughly enjoyed a week's "vacation".  Playing piano, singing, and serving others was a ton of fun for me, but I was sure ready to see my kiddos by Friday evening!

It's hot here.  I bought Ella a little pool at Aldi the other day, and we busted it out at 9 a.m.  It was already almost 90 degrees.  Any later in the day would have been too hot!  She likes the water!  I have a feeling all three of ours will be little water bugs.  Corwin LOVES it, and Owen does too--as long as he has his swim ring securely around his waist.

We have a couple weeks and we'll be headed off to Pensacola Beach, Florida.  I can't wait!  It will be an exhausting trip with two rowdy boys and an infant, but we have lots of hands to help:  Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Shelby, Aunt, Kaysie, Ethan, Emerie, Eliza, and our friends:  Lisa, Bob, and Shayden.  My next post will probably be pics from the white sand beach!  I hope you're all having a nice summer.  We sure are!

Memorial Day Camping

We went camping with my parents, and my brother's family over the Memorial Day weekend.  It was perfect!  The nights were cool (which was nice since Jason, the boys, and me were sleeping in a tent), and the days were hot (perfect for water play)!  The water was a little cool, but not bad when then sun was in full force.

Owen loved riding in Uncle Shelby's boat, and swimming "in the yellow lines," (which is the designated swimming hole, by the way).

Corwin thoroughly enjoyed his cousins' company and he played very hard all weekend.

This was Ella's first experience with the lake.  Boating, being outdoors, sleeping in Grandma and Grandpa's trailer... she loved it all.  We put her feet in the water, but she shrank away from that.  A little too cool, I guess.  She was a trooper!  It was exhausting for Mommy and Daddy, but she did great!

Corwin tried his hand (or feet) at wake boarding.  He got up, but couldn't stay up.  It won't be long, though.  All he needs is a couple more good tries and he'll have it down.  He got tired real quickly, and cold.  Sitting in that water waiting for the boat with a big board tied to your feet is tiresome.

Corwin and Emerie had the same smile.  Two front teeth missing, and one permanent tooth halfway through.  He is 6 and she turned 8 that Saturday.

Ella got sleepy and took a couple naps on the boat.  I know the feeling....

The kids loved "The Serpent."  Well, Corwin loved it.  Owen had a love/hate relationship with it.  The first time he rode it he loved it, until it flipped on us.  Fortunately, I was sitting with him.  He wouldn't let go of the handles and was being dragged by the creature.  Then, when he came up, he saw that the boat was still going (turning around, but going).  He thought Uncle Shelby was leaving us, and screamed, "NOOOO!!!  UNCLE SHELBY, STOP!  DON'T LEAVE US!"  I told him he was coming back, but he didn't believe me until he saw the nose of the boat headed our way.  The next day we made him get back on it.  He didn't want to AT ALL, but he is the personality that you have to push him through his fears.  Once he pushes through, he loves it!  The above picture was after we made him ride.  He loved it and wanted to do it again the next day.

Like I said, Ella did great.  She stayed on schedule, and was happy the entire time.  But, camping with a baby is a ton of work.  One night I went to bed at 8:45 because I was spent!  Moving her stuff around all the time, setting up and breaking down the pack-n-play, taking care and monitoring her brothers, ... I was beyond ready for bed!

T-Ball Madness

Corwin's summer t-ball season is well under way!  His team has gone undefeated thus far.  (Yes, they keep track of wins and losses here.)  Corwin is hitting well and learning to field a ball much better.  This is his third year playing, but first year playing t-ball.

He is doing very well.  It has been good for him to play t-ball.  he is learning to catch and field a ball better.  He is playing third base and batting "in the two hole."  :)  Jason is working with him quite a bit, too.

Ella enjoys Bubby's games.  Well, she just enjoys being outside, period.  This particular night, she was awfully sleepy.  His games are often during her evening-nap time.

The other night, Corwin hit a home run.  He cheered all the way from third base to home plate.  His Daddy wasn't very pleased with his behavior, but I had to remind him that the kid is 6 years old, and it was his first one.  He also made the out to win the game that evening.  He tagged the runner to get the third out.  He had a good night.