Beach Bums

We took our first family vacation this summer and headed to Orange Beach, AL.  Grandad even decided to join in on the fun. It was a bittersweet trip for us, Brad had invited his parents just days before his mom had past away.  We are grateful that Brad had the opportunity to ask his mom because he hadn't heard that much excited from her in awhile.  We may not always understand God's timing but we know it is always perfect.  Brad's Parent's 47th Anniversary happen to fall the week of vacation, it was not planned by us that way, but God knew that Grandad would need it. 

     So it was a trip of firsts for Parker and Grandad.  It would be the first time either one had seen the ocean.  Yes you read that correctly, Grandad had never seen the ocean before.  Growing up on a farm and taking over as an adult, left no time for vacations that were far away from home.  Seeing the ocean includes a lot of things that I never thought about until I heard Grandad say it was his first time to see things like: palm trees, seagulls, dolphins, and sandy beaches.  Since Grandad had never really taken a long trip we wondered if he would be able to stand being away from home for a week.  One of his favorite quotes is "Company is like fish, after 2 days they all begin to stink"  We basically had to drag him away from the beach when it was time to go.  He spent most days listening to the waves crash in.  The ocean's constant unpredictability is so calming.

 
   Parker had so much fun there.  He never was sure about the sand considering that he doesn't like his hands dirty.  He would last in the sand for an hour then we would head to the pool.  By the end of the week, he became our little water bug and didn't want you to help while he was in the water. 

Road Trip

First time to see the DVD player.  Parker was impressed!

Seeing the ocean for the first time



What is this stuff

 

We visited the Air Museum in Pensacola.

One of my BFF's just happened to be vacationing the same week as us so they came over one day to hang out.  They were so sweet with Parker.  It was fun seeing our kiddos play together.

 

Grandad's post most of the week

This is what a week at the beach will do to a boy. 
Another first for Parker.

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His own Pirate Ship

"Helping" cook



 Parker Shane,
    We had such a blast with you that week.  We debated on taking an adult trip but the whole week we were saying that we couldn't imagine you not there.  You were so good traveling down there and even the whole week.  We pushed our limits by eating out till nine some nights and you still kept people entertained with your dancing skills.  We can't wait to make many more vacation memories with you.