Day three in Destin

Another day spent entirely at the beach. We bring our lunch and go home when we want to eat dinner.

watermellon

Renée was the victim this time.

Day two in Destin

We drove to church this morning only to find it boarded up.  I had to call Brielle and get an address of another LDS church in the area.  We ended up driving to Niceville which cost us $6 in tolls.  We arrived an hour late, but the kids were able to see how important going to church is to us.
We spent the rest of the day on the beach.  Since we have shade, it is easy to do.  The kids caught a ton of hermit crabs, a blue crab, and two fish. They kept them in buckets until we set them free at the end of the day.  The water is so calm that we were able to snorkel and float around on rafts.  

Renée and her crab.

Time to let the crab go.

Gavin caught two fish with a net.

This is our favorite game on the beach.

Day one in Destin

After lasted year's vacation fiasco, we decided to brave Destin again.  It is a 12 hour drive which I did through the night.  One 5 hour energy drink kept me awake from 11pm to 7am.  You can tell I don't drink caffeine very often.  After a two hour power nap, we hit the beach.

Carter on a boogie board.

Our shade tent.

Making a home for a crab.

Sam and I did a lot of this on the first day.

We ate dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Shrevesport, Louisiana

On our way to Destin we stopped to take John out for dinner on his birthday.

Might

Gavin has to draw a picture for each spelling word. I love this one.

Van Gogh Would Be Proud

I taught a painting class while Alycia was visiting, so she was able to come and bring two friends.

Amory, Alycia, and Kelli

Broncos vs. Irish

Aunt Lee, Blake, Sydney, and Trey helped us cheer on Gavin at his first football game. He did really well and had a great time. Our team lost but it was a close game. Gavin is number 6. It is really hard to find him out in the field because they all look the same with their pads and Gavin is always in the middle. He plays nose tackle and left guard.

Renée and Blake watching the game in their Irish shirts. (Carter laying under the bleachers.)

Carter and Trey were a little bored.

So Sorry Readers

Life has been really busy, so busy that I haven't had a chance to catch up on blogging.  I need to stop volunteering so much.  Between HOA President, PTA vice-president, Cub Scouts den leader, and the docent training program, my life is really full.  I really need to learn how to say no, but I don't feel like I can quit the ones I don't like.

Chick fil a

Some of my friends are watching Carter for me while I go to my museum class. I took a few of the boys to Chick fil one day in return. I love that they are in a sound proof room.

Coen, Miles, and Carter

Kimbell Docent Program

I got accepted to the docent (tour guide) training program at the Kimball Art Museum in Fort Worth.  I had to apply with a resume, interview, and wait for my acceptance.  That seems like quite a bit for a volunteer position but I am really excited to be back in the art world again.  My first class was just an explanation of the course which will be every Monday from 1:30 to 3:30 and will go until May.  I have a ton of reading to do.  It is a bit overwhelming, but I am sure I will fit it in somewhere.

Breakfast of Champions

I got home from my bike ride to find breakfast made by my kids. It included hulled strawberries, left over taco soup, a donut, breakfast burrito with eggs and cheese (made by Gavin), chocolate milk made with Hershey's syrup and nesquik, bag of Cinna-swirl rice cakes, fiber 1 bar, oatmeal bar, and toast with butter, cinnamon, and sugar. They helped me eat it or I would have had to get back on my bike.

A Hiking We Will Go

It has been a long HOT summer with record breaking HEAT. While have enjoyed our pool and waterpark time, it is finally cooling off. We went hiking on Friday evening at Knob Hill and had a great time. The affects of the drought were everywhere, and the ground was cracked and dry.  We saw three armadillos:  Jinx chased one through the woods, one to it's hole, and the other one Gavin spotted without Jinx's aid. We also found a cactus with a long horn symbol on it and some fossils. It is great to be outside again.  Carter didn't complain or cry during the entire hike.  This is a first for him, so we plan to do a lot more hiking in the fall.