Memorial Weekend in Destin!

What a fun, fast weekend we just had. Chip, Karlee, and I spent Friday through Monday in Destin (our favorite vacation spot). The weather was yucky in the mornings but mostly sunny in the afternoons. When we got there, we took Karlee down to the sand and water to see what she thought about it. Last year, Karlee was only 4 months and 7 months old on the beach trips and didn't know she was anywhere different.

Well, the pictures below say it all. Karlee not only didn't mind the sand, she also didn't mind the waves and salty water. She went right in the water clothes and all. I told Chip we had plenty more clothes so let her play.

The playing continued throughout the weekend. We were a little bored first thing Saturday morning when we woke to rain and thunderstorms. So, what else is there to do in a condo but pretend to be on the beach. We popped Karlee's tent and gave her buckets. She enjoyed that and thought it was great! It sure doesn't take much to keep her entertained. We went out for lunch just to get out and the sun popped out just when we were finished eating. Back to the beach we went.

We ate the best food and Karlee had her first fried shrimp (my all-time favorite food ever!). She didn't know what to think of daddy's crawfish Sunday at lunch. She did however think it was something to play with and kept pointing at them. We normally do sandwiches on the beach but the rainy mornings had us out for lunch every day. I was ecstatic though because that meant more seafood to eat and more of our favorite restaurants to hit.

Karlee was an absolute angel the entire trip. She was a trooper Sunday night when it took forever to get seated at Harbor Docks. We didn't leave there until 10:00. It was worth it though. That place is our favorite eating spot in Destin and the wait was just something we had to deal with on a holiday weekend. At least it's on the docks and we walked and looked at all the boats. Karlee loves boats and said "boat" to every one we walked by. We told daddy we needed one of those big boats but he ignored us!!

The funniest part of the whole trip was Saturday night at Elmo's in Santa Rosa. We had never eaten there but had heard it was a total kid friendly place. Kid friendly it definitely was. There was a guy singing kid music and kids dancing and playing limbo. Karlee was totally mesmerized. After dinner, we went to the dance floor and just like Karlee had known the singer forever, she went right up to him. He picked her up and she helped him play and sing a song. He lifted her up to the microphone and she said "hey" like she knew what she was doing. It was absolutely hilarious and I am laughing now just thinking about it.

Now on the place we stayed. Chip and I usually stay at Sundestin but we wanted something less crowded and smaller for our first trip by ourselves with Karlee. We found Huntington by the Sea on vrbo.com. It was wonderful! We had a ground floor unit (by request) that opened right up to the beach. There were no elevators to tackle with all the beach gear or long walks through a crowded beach to find a place to sit. Two chairs and an umbrella were included with each unit (set up for you everyday by a cutie). We were right at the pool too for last minute dips before entering the condo. We were worried about the noise on a ground floor unit but there was none. It was so peaceful and easy to go back and forth. The best part was the closeness to everything. When Karlee took a nap, we could still sit by the pool and the monitor picked up great. We were right outside our patio door so we could see if anyone was lurking near our condo while she slept (doors were locked).

Today was gorgeous(of course the day we leave). The front desk was nice enough to delay our checkout time by two hours so we could spend a little more time on the beach with Karlee. It was just the right amount of last day sun and sand we needed. I definitely recommend this property to anyone with kids. But, you have to invite us along with you!!

I know this post was long. It was mainly for my memory. I have also posted a picture video that is mostly for the grandparents that are dying to see every picture. Trust me this is not all but it captures the most memories. We took about 350 pictures!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fun with a towel

Monday night I was finishing up a beach towel monogram with Karlee in the bonus room with me. When I was finished sewing and removing the stabilizers and solvy, she wanted to play with the towel. I think she thought it was a blanket because it was so big and soft. Like I said in an earlier post, Karlee likes to play peek-a-boo with anything. This towel was no exception. She covered herself in it and peeked out saying "boo" then followed it by hysterical laughter. Chip and I were cracking up at her and laughing hysterically ourselves.

Again I ask: Why buy toys?






A quick snap of the finished product. Karlee was too busy dragging it across the floor!

The Big 30!

Happy birthday Chip. I can't believe you're 30. We started dating when you were 17. Craziness!!

Date with the boys

Karlee and I spent Friday afternoon and evening at the Galimore's. Karlee had a ball playing with Hudson, Barrett, and Thomas. The boys were playing in the big blow up pool while Karlee was piddling around the baby pool. It didn't take her long to realize that all the fun was being had in the other pool and off she went. Karlee was in the boys pool and loving it.


Wait for me under that umbrella!


The boys pool looks way more fun!

Later, we ate a wonderfully good meal brought over by the Dilworth's. Karlee was eating her food well until Thomas put his spoon down. Karlee decided the food (which was the same) on his plate looked good too so she picked up Thomas' spoon and started eating off his plate. She wanted more corn and he had some so she thought "why not". The lightning and thunder storm caused a move to the indoors and an end to the evening. Karlee and I think this should become an every Friday event. She loves being around her big boyfriends! Barrett and Thomas both even sneaked a few hugs and kisses. Shh, Karlee! Don't tell your daddy.

15 months of joy

This post is a little late since Karlee turned 15 months 3 weeks ago. We had her well baby appointment last Thursday and all was well. I was so teary in the beginning though. Karlee no longer is weighed on the infant scale. She stood all by herself on the digital scale. Oh the signs of growing up. She weighed 19 lbs 4 oz. I have no idea how long she is because she was screaming at the fact we were trying to lay her down. I just didn't ask her length for trying to console her and tell her we weren't putting her to sleep. I'll get it the next trip so I can record it. The MMR shot is at 18 months and I'm already nervous about it. Karlee cried about 2.2 seconds after the shots. It's funny that she cried more for lying on the table than she did for shots! Karlee has 12 teeth and eats anything you put in front of her. I guess she's just an active child that the weight has stabilized for now.

I've been wondering why Karlee has deep red spots on her knees after she sleeps. I managed to get a picture of this cute little thing the other day. She sleeps up on her knees with her butt in the air. She refuses to keep a blanket over her so I've been putting socks on at night. She sleeps much better when her feet are warm and cozy. I can't find 12 month footy pj's anywhere.

Update & Pre-wreck weekend

An update on my parents: My dad's surgery went well on Tuesday. He went back to the doctor today and everything looks good. My mom's left arm and elbow are doing good too, still really bruised and the elbow fracture is healing like it's supposed to be. They spent the entire day yesterday looking at campers so I guess they are ready to jump back on the horse again!! Thanks to everyone for all the phone calls, e-mails, and prayers. They were definitely heard.

Before my world stopped on Sunday, we spent Friday night and Saturday at the lake with Chip's parents. I brought a little water play mat in case the lake water was too cold for Karlee to have something water related to do. I knew once she saw that big body of water there would be no stopping her. She only spent about 1 minute in the lake water. It was just too cold and Stanley said it was child abuse!





While I was taking a shower Saturday morning, Chip and Stanley slipped off with Karlee in the little fishing boat. Notice she is only wearing her swim vest and not a life jacket. She was smiling the biggest smile when she saw me sitting on the dock waiting for their safe arrival back.



Later, she decided she wanted to do what granddaddy was doing -- fish. She even picked out which worm to use. She started out in Stanley's lap but that wasn't cutting it. She was standing with the pole in both hands when she actually caught a fish. I have no idea why I don't have a picture of the fish. I guess I was too interested in watching her pet it and worried about her getting finned. Look out Jay, Chip may replace you as is fishing partner!! Chip is already talking about daddy-daughter tournaments. I guess I'm going to have to have another girl to actually get my girl. Karlee is a total outdoors lover.





The day was ended with a good fish fry and a 4-wheeler ride with daddy. I hopped on the back after one round of riding and Karlee loved that I was on their with them. She kept looking back over Chip's shoulder and smiling at me. What fun, quality family time!

Thankful for their lives

Mother's Day 2009 will be a day I will never forget. We had not been home from lunch after church long when the phone rang. The voice on the other side was telling me my parents had been in a bad car wreck. I was hearing the words but my mind was racing and fear had taken over. What in the world was happening and why had my day all of a sudden been turned upside down? We waited around the house for Chip's parents to get there from the lake to get Karlee and Adam, Chip, and I hit the road.

My parents were headed to Cape Canaveral to see the shuttle launch on Monday. This was one item on my dad's Bucket List (a must see movie by the way). They had just stopped at a rest area and changed drivers. My mom has pulled the camper before so it was no big deal. My dad laid his seat back to rest his eyes for the next 90 miles. He opened his eyes to a swaying truck and a panicked wife. My mom had changed lanes and the camper started swaying so bad that she couldn't control it. My dad sat up to see the back end of the camper at his passenger window and knew it was all over. The camper swung them around facing the traffic that was behind them and flipped them, witnesses say, 5 times off the right side of the interstate. Thank the good Lord above they didn't hit another car, guard rails, signs, or anything. They flipped into wide open grass. God's angels had to be with them in that truck. Other angels were driving north bound and saw the entire thing happen. It just so happened that an ambulance was on the north bound lane and were at my parent's side instantly when the truck stopped rolling.

My parents walked away from an accident that should have been deadly. Had my dad not been reclined in his seat, it would have killed him instantly. The passenger side of the truck was caved in just above him where his head would have normally been. They were wearing their seat belts, thank goodness because both driver and passenger windows were rolled down. We arrived at the hospital around 7:45 and my fears were calmed by seeing my parents and getting to touch and talk to them. My dad could not have surgery that day on his hand because of the head injuries. So, after talking with Dr. Frazier Jones in Opelika, it was decided we could bring them home for surgery here. We spent the night Sunday and went to see what we could salvage from the truck and camper early Monday morning. They were fully packed for a 7 day trip so you can only imagine the stuff they had packed away in the truck and camper. My mom always over packs so there were lots of clothes to gather up. We rented a U-Haul and saved everything we could. My dad was worried about his fishing gear and tools that he has collected over the past years the most. He was definitely back to himself Monday morning worried about his fishing tackle and poles!

My dad is in surgery now to have pins put in a broken thumb and middle finger. He has a really bad soft tissue bruise and cuts on his head and left ear. My mom has a fractured left elbow and bruised right side of the face and ear. These are minor wounds compared to what it could have been. On this Mother's Day, I could have lost both my parents in the blink of an eye. We take so many things for granted. If you haven't told the people you love that you love them, then do it now. Time is so precious and the unsaid words you feel are doing no good bottled up inside of you. I thank God for my parents lives because I know without His help, we would have lost them on Sunday.

Karlee loves...

After thinking about what I love, I figured I would share what Karlee loves these days.

1. Gerber Graduates Lil' Crunchies - any flavor


2. Wearing daddy's hats


3. White grape juice


4. Nutrigrain Bars - blueberry are the most favorite


5. "Bubba" the bear - she hugs and kisses it all the time


6. Bubbles


7. Playing peek-a-boo with anything


8. The pond in the backyard


The pond is causing major problems with playing in the backyard. Karlee loves water (love is really an understatement). She sees water and wants to get in it. Chip and I are trying to find a way to fence around the pond without obstructing the view or causing grass cutting problems around the pond.

Another thing I love: Putting Karlee's hair in a ponytail on top of her head. Chip hates the Pebbles look and makes me put a bow on top of it to lay it down. I'm just glad her hair is finally long enough for a ponytail.

Awarded!

Jamie presented me with this wonderful award the other day so I guess I should honor it. (Ha!Ha!) Here's how it works:

When given the award, you list 7 things that you love. Then pass the award to 7 bloggers that you love, tag them and let them know they've won.

I love...

1) My family
2) My Lord and Savior
3) Being a mom (has truly changed my life-for the better)
4) Reading a really good book
5) Going on vacation (anywhere away from the house for a few days or more; especially the beach)
6) Shopping - I love this one too much!!
7) Rocking Karlee to sleep at night and then holding her a little longer (the most relaxing and enjoyed part of my day)
8) Spending alone time with Chip on his fishing boat - he gets to do what he enjoys and I get to spend time watching him enjoy it

Okay, I added #8 but it is something I really love and thought needed mentioning.

I now tag Elizabeth White, Brooke Dilworth, Jenny Galimore, Julie Henthorne, Tippi Miller, Ali Wilson, and Sarah Crim. Tagees, you get the honor of now putting the Kreativ Blogger Award on your page!!

Little Fish

Well, I guess summer (even though it's still Spring) has officially began for Karlee. We took our first of probably several hundred trips to the pool Friday afternoon. We arrived around 3:30 and Karlee went straight to the water. I stuck my foot in and thought "oh my, it's cold!" Karlee didn't quite think the same thing and walked right in.



She was interested in everybody else's toys but not her own. She walked around with not one, but two floats from this one sweet family. I guess I will be buying her a float like they had (she probably won't be as interested in one that is hers though!).



Chip came after work and we stayed for the pool opening celebration, ate BBQ, and danced to the band music. We didn't come home until around 7:30. Little Miss Karlee was wired at the pool but ready for bath and bed when we got home. She loves the water so I guess the swimming lessons are paying off. She now blows bubbles in the bath tub like it's the pool. I guess I should get used to swimming more than laying out for at least the next 10 years!!

Caught in the act

One night last week, I heard some major rattling going on in the kitchen. This is what I found.



Karlee picked up the laundry basket I had left in the living room from folding clothes and took it into the kitchen. She then began to empty the two drawers she is allowed to play in. She was so into it that she didn't even notice I was standing there taking a picture until the flash went off. When she had successfully emptied both drawers, she just left the basket and went back to her toys in the living room. Of course I had to leave the basket full of utensils so Chip could see it when he got home. The picture just didn't give it the full effect!