Summer is here!

Here are some pictures from our trip to Destin. Scroll down below the pictures to read about our trip.

John bought plastic bugs for all of the kids.

Braden and Randy catch some fish!

Addi enjoys the sunset at the beach.

The kids listen to a band at Baytowne.

family photo

Gigi's sweet grandchildren

Braden is a super reader! Addi loves to hear him read.

Hey! How'd you get in there? Can I come, too?

our baby-crazy daughter befriending babies at the playground

Weston's new "do"

fun on the carousel (no smiles, though!)

Addison's first fish

more smile-less fun on the train

Braden and John build a sand shark

Addi loved dropping sand in buckets of water.

can't go to the beach without taking our pool

Gigi and the kids explore a bug on the balcony

Okay...summer is finally here! Maybe I can improve at "blogging." You'd think with Julie as my sister, I'd be a pro. Anyway, here's how the end of our school year went...The day the kids left for summer vacation, we had to take John to the hospital and found out that he had viral meningitis. After a week or so of viral meningitis, 3 trips to the hospital (1 via ambulance), and a blood patch John returned to "life" and wellness! Thank you, God! Emotionally exhausted (speaking for myself) we headed to Destin with the family and couldn't have had a more fabulous (and relaxing) time. Addison loved spending time with Gigi, her cousins, and her aunts and uncles. She was much happier in the sand this year, and really enjoyed swimming in the pool. She let us put her head under the water and didn't mind it one bit! She caught her first fish, with the help of her daddy and uncle Randy, and had a great time "petting" it. Some of her other favorite activities included: riding the airplanes, train, and carousel at "the Track," feeding the fish and turtles, reading books with Braden, "cooking" with cups and shovels in the pool, eating ice on our walks to the beach, and playing in the huge beach house. Addi's new experiences led to new vocabulary! She is really beginning to express herself with words. When we would leave the beach each day, she'd say "fun." One funny thing she said was, "Wait, Eme...Comin'!" She was trying to tell Emerson to wait on her b/c she was coming. It was a vacation we'll never forget, and one in which we continually thanked God for good health!